Congress

'The NAC was a purely advisory body with no executive authority'

In her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi shares snippets of how the National Advisory Council functioned. An excerpt

Sonia Gandhi married into a political dynasty, then lived through tragedy

In a memoir and interview, the Italian-born woman who married into the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty recalls political battles and the killings of family members

Sonia Gandhi's book 'Belonging' released: Key revelations from her memoir

Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, revisits major political events, family tensions and personal tragedies, including Rajiv Gandhi's assassination

Penguin was 'uneasy' with criticism of govt in my memoir: Sonia Gandhi

Breaking her silence on the censorship row involving her upcoming memoir, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has said that publisher Penguin Random House India was "uneasy" with criticism of the government. While she was disappointed that the publisher did not go ahead with the book, she was not surprised. Penguin Random House India (PRHI) was initially keen to publish the memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love", but subsequently said it would not be the Indian publisher. In an interview with The Guardian ahead of the release of the book on November 10, Gandhi said Penguin was "uneasy in general with the criticism of the government". Gandhi admitted she was disappointed, though not altogether surprised, by Penguin India's decision not to publish the book. She saw it as an attempt to censor her book, The Guardian reported. The controversy began amid reports of differences between the publisher and the author's representatives over editorial changes to the ...

'Great damage' done to India's democracy under Modi govt: Sonia Gandhi

"Great damage" has been done over the last 12 years to the fabric of India, democracy and institutions, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has alleged, asserting that even after the Modi government goes, it will take time to restore the country's systems back to health. In an interview with The Hindu ahead of the launch of her book, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', she also pointed out that people are now beginning to be restless and recognising the damage. "But I am optimistic and I know that the people of India will welcome a return to proper governance," the former Congress chief said. "Over the last twelve years great damage has been done to the fabric of our country, our democracy and our institutions. Even after this government goes, it will take time to restore our systems back to health and great effort from political parties," she said. Asked about the decline of the Congress and her assessment of its present condition and prospects, Gandhi said, "I am no

Amid Karnataka Congress tensions, a leadership test for DK Shivakumar

The strongest Congress government in Karnataka in 37 years looks to be its weakest

SC issues notice to Kerala Congress office bearers over post targeting CJI

Observing that independence of the judiciary is not a matter of "political convenience", the Supreme Court on Friday issued a contempt notice to all office bearers of the Keralam unit of the Congress over a social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi said the Constitution is supreme and no individual or political organisation stands above it. "Judgements are always open to criticism. Freedom of expression can't be a shield of intimidation to interfere with the administration of justice. Howsoever high position a person occupies, any attempt to undermine the authority of the court needs to be dealt with an iron hand. "Authority of the court doesn't require political endorsement; it rests on the rule of law. Where administration of justice is established, the law must take its course," the bench said. Independence of judiciary is not a matter of political convenience, the court said, adding that judicial restra

'No personal enmity with CEC, want ECI to work impartially,' says Kharge

The Congress president was speaking at a 'mock impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar conducted in New Delhi by Opposition parties

Traffic curbs in Delhi for INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Nov 1

Traffic restrictions will be in place across parts of Delhi from 10 am to 5 pm on November 1 in view of an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, police said. Traffic diversions will be enforced at key intersections in central Delhi, including Netaji Subhash Marg T-point, Rajghat, Delhi Gate, ITO A-point, Ajmeri Gate red light, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Jhandewalan roundabout, Turkman Gate and Mirdard Chowk, depending on the traffic situation, the Delhi Traffic Police said. Commuters are likely to face congestion on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg between ITO and Delhi Gate, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg between Rajghat and Ajmeri Gate, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Minto Road, Desh Bandhu Gupta Road and Barakhamba Road, as well as stretches around Kamla Market and Hamdard Chowk. Additional traffic personnel will be deployed across the Central Range to regulate vehicular movement, guide commuters to designated parking areas and prevent congestion around the venue. A separate passage will be provided near Lok Nay

'Businesses at risk': Delhi traders urge Congress to postpone Nov 1 rally

The CTI has sought a postponement of the November 1 Ramlila Maidan rally, warning that traffic disruption could hit business in 20 key markets during the peak Diwali shopping period

Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on Nov 1: What conditions have police set?

The police have cleared the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan subject to conditions on CCTV, speeches, parking and crowd management

In setback to BJP, Congress retains Nagpur MLC seat; Wanjari wins

In a nail-biting contest, Congress candidate and sitting MLC Abhijeet Wanjari defeated his closest rival of the BJP by 3,271 votes to retain the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency seat. The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning and concluded in the wee hours of Thursday. The Congress had fielded sitting MLC Wanjari who secured 67,231 votes. The BJP had fielded former MLA Sudhakar Kohale, who secured 63,960 votes. It is a big setback for the BJP as it has lost in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari who had campaigned extensively for Kohale. Kohale was leading his Congress rival by 4,294 votes after the second round of counting on Wednesday. After round two of the counting with reference to first preference votes, Kohale had polled 60,924 votes while Wanjari secured 56,630. Independent candidate Nitesh Karale received 24,249 votes. However, as no candidate secured the required quota of votes, the counting went into

Cong never followed Constitution, ruled country as per its wishes: Nabin

BJP chief Nitin Nabin on Saturday attacked the Congress, alleging that the party never followed the Constitution and ruled the country as per its wishes. Nabin, who is on a three-day visit to Jharkhand, addressed party workers and leaders at the inaugural session of the BJP's state executive committee meeting here. "Today, in the country, there is an attempt to challenge constitutional institutions and democracy. Those who swear by the Constitution have shredded it to pieces. "From imposing Emergency to President's Rule in many states, Congress never followed the Constitution and ruled the country as per its wishes. Today, those who tried to finish off democracy are lecturing us about it," he added. Nabin accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy in the country. "For this, they are getting support not only from within the country but also from foreign powers. Rahul Gandhi now questions the country's constitutional institutions, but he never questioned them when the Congress

PM Modi attacks Congress, says it dreams of disorder amid global change

Addressing the NDTV World Summit, PM Modi called for reforms in multilateral institutions and accused the Congress of damaging India's global reputation.

Sonia Gandhi makes Instagram debut, gains 110K followers within hours

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi joined Instagram on Thursday, sharing the first look of her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, and gained over 110,000 followers within hours.

Hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi not a new practice, says MEA

The ministry said hosting foreign dignitaries in different Indian cities has been a longstanding practice, rejecting Congress claims that the US had 'summoned' Jaishankar to Mumbai

CJP leaders sent to 5-day judicial custody, to be lodged in Tihar Jail

Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and Saurav Das were detained early Tuesday for allegedly breaching barricades to enter Jantar Mantar

Rahul Gandhi's plea not listed for hearing in SC as defects yet to be cured

The petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 10 prominent opposition leaders following a massive march on October 12 was not listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on Tuesday as defects pointed out by the registry are yet to be cured. As per the Supreme Court's website, the apex court registry had flagged 14 defects, including lack of a clear copy of the ID card of Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, a co-petitioner in the case. The registry had also pointed out certain illegible or missing pages in the petition. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, in his response to Gandhi's request for a meeting to submit a memorandum on issues concerning the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission, the alleged arbitrary arrest of several students, closure of Metro stations and cancellation of trains, had assured early hearing of the plea, if filed, on the judicial side. On Tuesday, a bench headed by the CJI assured the petition

Delhi HC gives police time till Tuesday to respond to IYC plea for protest

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted time till October 13 to the city police to respond to a plea of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) seeking permission to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. At the outset, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing Delhi Police, told Justice Amit Mahajan that he will take instructions on the issue and inform the court on Tuesday. Noting the statement of the ASG, the court then listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday. Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the petitioner, said the plea was filed four days back and the police's counsel could have taken the instructions by now. He insisted that the matter be heard today itself. The IYC has approached the court challenging Delhi Police's denial of permission to protest at Jantar Mantar. The IYC, through its national president Uday Bhanu Chib, approached the court challenging Delhi Poli

India needs level playing field for businesses to compete: Rahul Gandhi

India needs a level playing field where every business has a fair chance to compete, and the Congress is committed to breaking the chain of crony capitalism, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Friday. The remark came a day after his exchange on X with US business tycoon Elon Musk, who had asked whether Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is the "real boss" of India amid a controversy over Starlink satellite internet services. Gandhi on Thursday said to the business tycoon: "Wait till you discover the other guy." In another post on his WhatsApp channel a day later, Gandhi said India needs a level playing field where every business has a fair chance to compete. "Congress party and I are committed to breaking this chain of crony capitalism and building an economy driven by innovation and hard work -- not political patronage," Gandhi said. He also shared a video montage including his exchange with Musk. "I am not anti-business; I am anti-monopoly," Gand