Page 2 - K C Venugopal

Some leaders quit Cong moment they receive notices from agencies: Venugopal

Senior Congress leader K C Venugopal on Monday said some leaders quit the party the moment they receive notices from Central investigating agencies and 'fall at the feet of BJP and Union government.' Venugopal, who is AICC general secretary (Organisation), however, hailed leaders like Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and said according to him, he defeated the alleged pressure exerted by BJP through various agencies. Citing the example of Shivakumar, he further said the Karnataka Deputy CM was a leader who had shown the courage to continue in the party despite being jailed for no reason by Central agencies. While many other leaders quit Congress when they received notices from Central investigating agencies and surrendered (before the BJP-led Union government), Shivakumar declared the Indian National Congress is his mother and he won't leave the party. "Shivakumar was sent to prison...Sent to Tihar jail for no reason. He was told that he would be freed if he was ready

Modi govt trying to make Congress party bankrupt: AICC gen secy Venugopal

The Congress on Friday sharply reacted to the Income Tax Department's notice to the grand old party to pay a penalty of over Rs 1,750 crore and said the officials were being used as the "gundas" of the ruling BJP. Addressing the media here, AICC general secretary in-charge of the organisation, K C Venugopal, lashed out at the Narendra Modi-led BJP government and accused it of trying to "financially strangulate" the opposition parties during the election time. Venugopal said the Modi government was trying to make the Congress party bankrupt. The Income Tax Department has served a notice to the Congress to pay over Rs 1750 crore, hours after the Delhi High Court had rejected its petitions challenging the tax reassessment proceedings against it. "Usually, the political parties are exempted from paying taxes. However, this penalty is in the name of delay in filing returns. The Narendra Modi government is doing this with the specific purpose of bankrupting the Congress party at a time w

Rahul fielded from Wayanad as Cong announces first list of 39 candidates

Venugopal said the Congress was trying to resolve its differences with its Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) allies, including the Trinamool Congress, in West Bengal

Probe agencies misused to extort donations for BJP, SC probe needed: Cong

The Congress on Friday alleged that probe agencies were "misused" to extort donations for the BJP from private companies and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter. Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that at least 30 companies, which donated a total of nearly Rs 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23, faced action by central agencies during that period. Ramesh said Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal on Friday wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the issue. Ramesh also asked if the government would come up with a "white paper" on the BJP's finances, not just the sources, but how corporate firms were "coerced" to donate, by misusing investigative agencies against them. "If you have nothing to hide, then are you willing to present a point-by-point rebuttal on the 'chronology' of events which led to the filling of BJP's treasury," h

Cong to protest today over 'planned attacks' on Nyay yatra in Assam

The Congress on Sunday announced it will hold demonstrations across state and district headquarters over what it said were "planned attacks" on the convoys of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. In a late night post on X, Congress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal alleged that since the yatra's entry in Assam, "the most corrupt CM in India has been carrying out relentless attacks on our convoys, properties and leaders using his goons." "This is a matter that every Indian must take seriously, because it exposes the BJP's fascism and hooliganism. All across India, PCCs and DCCs are instructed to hold large scale protests tomorrow evening and exposing how the Modi-led BJP is killing democracy in Assam through their corrupt CM," Venugopal said. "Our fight for justice - social, economic and political - will continue undeterred!" he said. In his letter to all Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs, state in-charges, AICC secretaries, heads of frontal organisations, departments and .

Manipur denies permission to Congress to launch Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

'Unfavourable situation' in Manipur were cited as the reason for the rejection of Congress rally ahead of the Lok Sabha elections

LS polls: Party Prez Kharge, Rahul hold meeting with Cong leaders in Andhra

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders of the party held a meeting with leaders of its Andhra Pradesh unit to discuss strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The meeting comes amid a series of meetings being held by the Congress high command with its state leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Taking to X, the Congress president called it an important strategy meeting where leaders shared their thoughts on strengthening the party for the general elections. "Everyone believes that ground situation has drastically changed after government formation in Karnataka and Telangana. Every leader and worker is going to work hard and re-establish the bond which the people of Andhra Pradesh once shared with the Congress party," Kharge said. Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats, of which 22 are presently with the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), while the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has three seats.

BRS, Congress spar after EC revokes order for aid to Telangana farmers

However, the poll panel revoked its order after the state finance minister violated the model code by making a public announcement about it

Govt's stance on Israel-Palestine conflict is disappointing: K C Venugopal

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal has strongly criticised the Union Government's stand on the Israel-Palestine war, terming it as "highly disappointing". He said India's approach on the conflict used to be different from the very beginning. India used to extend support to the Palestinian cause and advocate for their rights, the Congress leader said in a Facebook post in Malayalam. However, when it comes to any aggression or counter-aggression, India used to strongly condemn it, he said. "Unfortunately, the current Indian stance is not sufficient to put an end to the war," the Rajya Sabha MP said. He urged the Union Government to express its views on the matter with dignity and respect, just as in the past. The senior Congress leader condemned the loss of lives of common people in the war and the attack on a hospital in Gaza that killed over 500 Palestinians. "When women and children, who are innocent and helpless, are caught in the crossfire, how can India stand by without a

Congress to launch charitable mission in Oommen Chandy's name in Kerala

Senior Congress leaders on Thursday recalled the contributions and work of late Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and said the party would be soon launching a charitable mission in his name to help people across the state. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, former Union Defence Minister and party veteran A K Antony, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly V D Satheesan, all recalled the love and compassion Chandy had for the people in Kerala. "His work and his love for the people was seen in the farewell the public gave to him on his death," they said while speaking at the launch of a book -- 'Aardramanas' -- about party stalwart Chandy prepared by the KPCC. Venugopal said Chandy touched thousands of lives through his work and he was a leader that the Congress would be proud of forever. He said the party was obligated to him and each Congress member should pay it back in his own way. In his

Congress says demand for amendments not met as Women's Quota Bill passed

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda accused the Centre of ignoring the demands of the OBC community

Smriti Irani's portfolio to abuse Cong, Gandhi family, says KC Venugopal

The Congress' parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said the women's reservation bill "is ours", as the bill was about to be tabled in Parliament

Women's reservation: What major political leaders have said on the Bill

Since the 1990s, governments have tried to push through legislation to provide reservation to women in the Parliament and state Assemblies

Disrespecting Sanatan Dharma against Constitution: Union Minister

Venugopal waded into the Sanatan row, saying that his party believes in 'Sarva Dharma Samabhava' (all religions are equal). "We respect all religions," he had said

Entire Kerala govt doing politics over financial woes, not Rahul: Venugopal

Venugopal, while speaking to ANI said that Rahul Gandhi is ready to cooperate with the Kerala government for the betterment of the state

Attempts being made to breathe new life into NDA after Oppn meeting: Cong

The Congress on Monday asserted that Opposition unity would be "a game changer" for the Indian political scenario and took a swipe at the BJP, saying those who used to talk of defeating the opposition parties alone are now making attempts to breathe new life into the NDA which had become a "ghost". Addressing a press conference here on the two-day crucial deliberations of Opposition parties starting this evening, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suddenly remembered the NDA. "Attempts are being made to breathe new life into the NDA. There used to be no talk about NDA and suddenly since the past few days we are hearing and reading about it. Suddenly, it was reported that an NDA meeting has been called for tomorrow. So NDA, which had become a ghost, attempts are now being made to breathe a new life into it," Ramesh said. This is a result of the meeting in Patna, he added. Also addressing the presser alongside Ramesh, Congress general ...

LIVE: We send schemes to Rajasthan from Delhi but Cong blocks them, says PM

Catch all the latest LIVE updates from across the globe here

Congress to hold 'Maun Satyagraha' on July 12 in support of Rahul Gandhi

The Gujarat High Court in May reserved its order on Rahul's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case

LIVE: US Supreme Court bans use of race, ethnicity in university admissions

Catch all the latest news updates live from across the globe here

Manipur police stops Rahul Gandhi's convoy at Bishnupur, 20 kms from Imphal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy was on Thursday stopped by the Manipur police at Bishnupur, about 20 kilometres from Imphal, officials said. After arriving at Imphal, he was travelling in a convoy to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area. Police officials said the convoy was stopped fearing violence along the route. They said that tyres were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the convoy. "We fear repetition of such events and hence as a precaution, requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur," a police officer told PTI. Congress office bearers are speaking with the police and army authorities to ensure safe passage for their party leader. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far. Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei ...