New Delhi:

BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi today alleged that he was injured following an altercation involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The incident occurred amid heated protests between members of the INDIA bloc and BJP MPs inside Parliament premises. Mr Sarangi, who sustained a head injury, was subsequently taken to the hospital. The BJP MP claimed that the injury happened when another MP fell on him after being pushed by Rahul Gandhi.

Who is Pratap Sarangi: Here are some facts

• Pratap Chandra Sarangi is a prominent BJP leader from Odisha and a Member of Parliament representing the Balasore constituency. 
• Born on January 4, 1955, in Gopinathpur village of Balasore district, Mr Sarangi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fakir Mohan College, affiliated with Utkal University, in 1975.
• Mr Sarangi’s political journey began as a volunteer for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He later served in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. 
• Mr Sarangi was elected as a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Nilagiri constituency, serving two terms from 2004 to 2009 and from 2009 to 2014.
• In 2014, Mr Sarangi contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Balasore constituency but lost. He contested again in 2019 and emerged victorious, defeating the incumbent MP Rabindra Kumar Jena of the Biju Janata Dal by a margin of 12,956 votes.
• In May 2019, Mr Sarangi was appointed Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
• Mr Sarangi was accused of involvement in the 1999 murder of Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons. He was the leader of the Bajrang Dal when a mob, with links to the group,burnt Mr Staines and his two minor sons alive. 
• Mr Sarangi was arrested for rioting and damaging government property after a 2002 attack on the Odisha state assembly. 

New Delhi:

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary has accused Congress of disrupting Parliament proceedings. The Opposition party has protested in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha this Winter session over several issues prompting frequent adjournments. 

“The first week of the Winter Session was wiped out because of protests against the Adani Group. It is a shame that our Parliament is not able to function,” said Mr Chaudhary at the NDTV Emerging Business Conclave. “As a nation, we will have to deliberate and come up with a solution.” 

Congress and INDIA bloc members held a protest march today in parliament premises, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks over BR Ambedkar. Dressed in blue, a colour associated with Mr Ambedkarm Opposition MPs held placards and demanded the Home Minister to resign. 

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched from Ambedkar’s statue within the Parliament complex to Parliament House raising slogans of ‘Jai Bhim’ and carrying photographs of the leader.

BJP-led NDA leaders staged a counter-protest with slogans and posters, calling for an apology from Congress who they accuse of insulting Mr Ambedkar. 

New Delhi:

A US government department’s allegations against the Adani Group , which have been junked by the conglomerate, have set off a political war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition. As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his allegations of collusion between the Narendra Modi government and the Adani Group, BJP leaders poked holes in the Congress’s stance and said the allegations extend to four states — all of which were ruled by opposition parties at the time.

The Adani Group has rejected as baseless the move by the US Department of Justice to name the group in a case of alleged wrongdoing. The group asserted that these were mere allegations and must be seen only as that. It also said it would explore a legal course of action.

“The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied,” the Adani Group said in a statement, emphasising it has steadfastly maintained the highest possible standards of governance and transparency.

Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said in a long post that the document put out by the US Justice Department mentioned that the charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr Malviya said the essence of the charge was that US and Indian companies agreed to supply 12 GW of power to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). “This was subject to SECI entering into PPA with State electricity distribution companies (SDCs). There was a collaboration between Adani Green Energy with a US renewable energy, Azure Power, under which Azure was allotted 4 GW and Adani Green Energy 8 MW. Since the power was costly, the SDCs were not willing to buy. Therefore, the Adanis (in collusion with Azure Power; a US firm) paid the equivalent of US $265 million to SDCs based in Odisha (BJD ruled), Tamilnadu (DMK), Chhattisgarh (Congress) and Andhra Pradesh (YSRCP) between Jul 21 and Feb 22 (by far the largest to AP).”

“All the States mentioned here were Opposition ruled during that time. So, before you pontificate, answer on the bribes the Congress and its allies accepted,” Mr Malviya said. He also pointed out that an Indian Court can similarly accuse American firms of bribing US government officials to deny access to Indian markets. “Should we then allow law to take its course and the concerned corporate to defend or plant ourselves in domestic politics of a foreign country?” he questioned.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, addressing the media on the report, alleged that the Adani Group had broken Indian as well as American laws. He has said that he would raise the issue during the Winter session of Parliament that begins Monday and stressed that the Opposition is united on the issue.

Amit Malviya said the timing of the report, just before the parliament session and Donald Trump’s impending presidency, raised questions. “That the Congress is willing to be a prop in the hands of George Soros and his cabal speaks volumes,” he remarked, referring to the billionaire-philanthropist accused by several governments as being an “agent of disruption”.

BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra reiterated the charge that none of the four states in question had BJP governments at the time. “Congress was in power or was supporting the ruling party. This entire issue is linked to the Congress party and its allies,” he said, adding that former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and the other three then Chief Ministers must be questioned in this connection. “If Adani is corrupt, then why are the Congress governments seeking investment from his company,” he asked.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi:

Tearing into the Congress after its president Mallikarjun Kharge dubbed the BJP a “party of terrorists”, leaders from the ruling party at the Centre accused it of making insulting the people and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a habit and said its true character has been revealed. 

Mr Kharge sparked a row on Saturday when he took umbrage at remarks by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and PM Modi that his party was run by “urban Naxals” – a term used by the BJP and others on the right to refer to people that, they claim, want to weaken India. 

Hitting out, the Congress president said the BJP is a party of terrorists that lynches and assaults people and commits atrocities against tribals and Dalits. 

“They were quiet for some time and have started speaking out again after getting some life (following the BJP’s Haryana victory). They call intellectuals and progressive people ‘urban Naxals’, they call the Congress urban Naxals. The BJP itself is a party of terrorists. They lynch and assault people, urinate in the mouths of members of the Scheduled Castes, and rape tribals. They (the BJP leadership) support those who commit these acts, and then they blame others,” Mr Kharge claimed.

“PM Modi has no right to say this. Wherever his government is in power, atrocities are committed against people from the Scheduled Castes, especially tribals. Then he talks about injustice against these people. Are we in power? It is his government, he can control this”, he added.

Leading the charge against Mr Kharge’s remark, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Congress is the “most anti-Dalit party”.

“‘Congress ki pehchaan, janta ka apmaan’ (insulting people is the Congress’ identity). Crores of people have voted for the BJP in 2014, 2019 and now in 2024. This (the ‘party of terrorists’ remark) is an insult to the people’s wisdom but the Congress has made it a habit. They put ‘parivar tantra’ (family system) about everything else. For their Haryana defeat, they have blamed EVMs, the Election Commission and then the people. They have called the public ‘rakshasi’ (demonic) – senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala has said this,” Mr Poonawalla said. 

“Now they are saying that the people have elected terrorists. They have always used this kind of language abusing PM Modi and the Other Backward Classes… now they are abusing people. This shows the character and the DNA of Congress. And the Congress is talking about Dalits… what have they done with Kumari Selja in Haryana? They are looting funds meant for Dalits in Karnataka. The Congress is the most anti-Dalit party,” he added.

‘Look Within’

Manoj Tiwari, BJP MP from Northeast Delhi, Manoj Tiwari, said the PM Modi-led government is the Congress’ biggest enemy and his party has zero tolerance for terrorism.

“If there is any government that has zero tolerance for terrorism and corruption, it is the BJP. Today, they (the Congress) must ask themselves why there are no terror attacks in Mumbai, where the stone pelters of Kashmir have vanished and why no bomb blast takes place under the Modi government. There were regular incidents under the Congress-led UPA governments, but that is no longer the case,” he added.

Responding to a question on Mr Kharge’s comments, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said the Congress has been supporting terrorists.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bengaluru:

The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday hit out at the Siddaramaiah government after state Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao approached the High Court against the “exorbitant” taxes charged by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

BJP Bengaluru Central District President Sapthagiri Gowda, speaking to reporters at the party headquarters here, said the fact that a state minister goes to court over the steep increase in taxes in Bengaluru shows the mirror to its government.

Minister Rao and his wife Tabassum Gundu Rao approached the court challenging the 16 types of taxes levied by the BBMP for approval of their building plan amounting to more than Rs 41 lakh.

On Tuesday, the court issued notices to the government agencies in this regard.

Mr Gowda said, “Since the Congress government came to power in Karnataka, it has been burdening the common people with taxes. Our party has been protesting and raising awareness almost daily.”

He pointed out that state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and his wife have filed a writ petition in court clearly reflecting the tax hike issue. “They have approached the BBMP to change the building plan, and they went to court after BBMP issued a notice to pay around Rs 45 to 50 lakh in taxes and cess,” he stated.

“If this is the situation for the Health Minister, what about the common people,” Mr Gowda asked. 

He criticised Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s initiative to build “Brand Bengaluru”, claiming that repeated tax hikes have been made in the process.

Pointing out the poor condition of roads, Mr Gowda claimed. “There is a deplorable state where potholes on roads are not being filled…In areas like Chickpet and Balepet in Gandhinagar, one has to search to find the roads. They have filled potholes only on some main roads and declared the city pothole-free, but this is far from the truth. The smaller roads are in a terrible condition,” 

“The ministers themselves have now become an example of the tax hike,” the BJP leader said.

He further criticised the lack of accessibility to the officials, saying, “If they had conducted the municipal elections, the common people would have had the opportunity to approach the corporators and officials. The public is facing a lot of hardship, and the burden of taxes is being placed upon them. The fact that even the ministers are turning to the courts is a clear reflection of the situation.” 

Minister Rao and his wife had approached the BBMP for approval of a building plan to construct a commercial complex over land they owned. The BBMP had issued a demand notice asking Minister Rao to pay fees under various sections. Justice Ashok S Kinagi issued notices to the BBMP, Urban Development Department, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation Formation Department and asked them to submit objections to the petition.

The counsel for Minister Rao submitted that the issue of demand notice is illegal and Rao should be allowed by the BBMP to build a commercial structure on the land he owns without imposing taxes and fees for approval of the building plan.

The issue is likely to take a political turn as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is handling the Bengaluru Development and Town Planning department. Shivakumar is also the minister in charge for Bengaluru Urban District.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

BJP President JP Nadda today said that he cast his vote to make India even stronger and self-reliant. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Mr Nadda said that the people of India are hopeful about the country’s future under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I voted to make the country stronger, and self-reliant. The way India has progressed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So not just us, but crores of people now see an India different from how it was 10 years ago and are hopeful about the future,” Mr Nadda said.

“10 years ago, people had given up on politics and politicians. Now those people have placed their hopes on BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are moving ahead,” he added.

The 63-year-old also dismissed the Opposition’s claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would change the Constitution if voted to power. He said that the Congress when Indira Gandhi was the PM, changed the Preamble of the Constitution themselves in 1976 and were now trying to raise the issue to divide the voters.

“Congress never works on a positive note. They never the country any positive message. They work with obstacle-creating powers, and always try to find issues that will divide the society,” Mr Nadda said.  

“Congress does not like when they see something that will unite the country and take it forward. Congress only wants to divide the society and keep playing vote bank politics,” the BJP chief added.

The BJP is hoping to win a third consecutive term and is up against a united Opposition, who are contesting under the banner of the INDIA bloc.

The BJP and its allies won 352 of the 543 seats in India’s lower house of parliament, Lok Sabha, in the last election in 2019 with the BJP alone winning 303 seats. The BJP is expecting to sweep the election this time, eyeing a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He headlines the contest, followed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is largely considered the face of the opposition.

Indore:

The Congress accused the ruling BJP government in Madhya Pradesh of stopping it from publicising the None Of The Above (NOTA) option in Indore, where polling was held on Monday in the fourth and final phase of the general elections in the state.

Dismissing the allegation, the BJP said the Congress was talking “nonsense” to hide its failure after its candidate withdrew from the fray.

The Congress campaign focussed on asking voters to press the NOTA option in the EVMs after its nominee, Akshay Kanti Bam, withdrew from the fray and joined the BJP.

Talking to reporters, Congress leader Surjit Singh Chadha said, “When we sought permission from the local authorities to campaign for NOTA via hoardings and FM radio, we were asked to approach the Bhopal-based State Election Commission for the nod.” He alleged that a BJP woman corporator recently tore a poster calling the electorate to press the NOTA option, and the development was reported on social media.

The Congress had put up tables near three polling booths, which were removed at the behest of the BJP, Surjit Chadha claimed.

NOTA was incorporated as an option in the EVMs in September 2013 to empower voters in the expression of their choice.

State BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja said Congress leaders don’t understand that the EC grants permission for campaigns, as the model code of conduct is in force, and the BJP has nothing to do with it.

The Congress was talking nonsense to hide its failure after its candidate pulled out of the race, he said.

Meanwhile, local BJP MLA Malini Laxman Singh reached a polling booth at Ramakrishna Bagh in the Gaur Dhar Road area and accused a woman officer of asking voters to press the “NOTA” button.

In another incident, the police had to pacify workers of the Congress and BJP after they allegedly clashed over the NOTA option outside a polling booth in Nanda Nagar. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The BJP has called for an apology from Rahul Gandhi following the closure report filed by Telangana Police in the Rohith Vemula suicide case. It has also accused Congress and its allies of exploiting Dalits for political gains.

Pointing out that the Congress government is in power in Telangana, BJP asked: “Now that Telangana Police has filed a closure report in court, stating that Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit and his death was a suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to the Dalits?”

Accusing Mr Gandhi of politicising the issue, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to his official social media handle on X and shared a video of his speech in Lok Sabha.

Mr Malviya captioned the video: “Rahul Gandhi used the floor of the House to politicise Rohit Vemula’s death for his ugly politics. Now that Telangana Police, under a Congress government, has filed a closure report, stating that Vemula did not belong to the SC community and died by suicide, will Rahul Gandhi apologise to the Dalits?”

Further criticising the Congress and other Opposition parties, Mr Malviya wrote: “The Congress and so-called ‘secular’ parties have often used Dalits for their politics but always failed to provide them justice. This is yet another instance.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A social media post by a former Pakistani minister has sparked fresh tensions between the BJP and the Congress. The post from Ch Fawad Hussain featured excerpts from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech with the caption “Rahul on fire,” drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders.

Amit Malviya, the BJP’s IT cell chief, took to social media to question the Congress’s association with Pakistan, pointing out Mr Hussain’s previous role in Imran Khan’s cabinet. 

“Ch Fawad Hussain, who served in the Imran Khan cabinet, as Minister for Information and Broadcasting, is promoting Rahul Gandhi. Is the Congress planning to contest election in Pakistan?”

“From a manifesto, that has imprints of the Muslim league to a ringing endorsement, from across the border, Congress’s dalliance with Pakistan can’t get more obvious,” he added.

Ch Fawad Hussain, who served in the Imran Khan cabinet, as Minister for Information and Broadcasting, is promoting Rahul Gandhi.
Is the Congress planning to contest election in Pakistan? From a manifesto, that has imprints of the Muslim league to a ringing endorsement, from… pic.twitter.com/XllqlWdlAR

— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 1, 2024

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala echoed similar sentiments, accusing the Congress of having a clear alliance with Pakistan. 

“Congress ka haath Pakistan ke saath,” Mr Poonawala posted. “Earlier Hafiz Saeed had said Congress is his favourite party. Mani Aiyer went to Pakistan for support to depose PM Modi! We remember Pakistan Zindabad slogans were raised recently by Congress leaders and BK Hariprasad openly batted for Pak. Time and again Congress leaders defended Pakistani terrorists too.”

Pakistani leader – someone who has spewed venom against Bharat is promoting Rahul & Congress

Earlier Hafiz Saeed had said Congress is his favourite party.. Mani Aiyer went to Pakistan for support to depose PM Modi!

We remember Pakistan Zindabad slogans were raised recently by… pic.twitter.com/VeXgm7CwTj

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 1, 2024

In the video shared by Mr Hussain, Rahul Gandhi can be heard criticising the BJP, particularly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The edited clip focuses on Mr Gandhi’s remarks regarding the Ram Mandir’s inauguration, where he accuses the BJP of neglecting the interests of the marginalised communities.

New Delhi:

A huge political row has broken out over senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s remarks on inheritance tax with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming that this was a sign that the party, if voted to power, will redistribute the wealth of Indians. Mr Pitroda’s example of an inheritance tax in the US added fuel to the fire that the Congress has been trying to douse since Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue at a rally two days ago.

While Congress distanced itself from the remarks, Mr Pitroda also issued a clarification today saying that he was just expressing his views on the inheritance tax in the US.

“It is unfortunate that what I said as an individual on inheritance tax in the US is twisted to divert attention from what lies PM is spreading about Congress manifesto,” Mr Pitroda said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The BJP has targeted the Congress claiming that the party’s manifesto promises to seize and redistribute the wealth of Indians, a charge it denies.

“This is what the Congress manifesto says. They will take stock of the gold that (our) mothers and sisters have, they will count and assess it, and then they will distribute that wealth, and they will give it to those people that Dr Manmohan Singh’s government had said – that Muslims have the first right to the nation’s wealth,” PM Modi said.

Does the Congress manifesto promise to redistribute wealth?  

In its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress makes several statements regarding income inequality, India’s wealth, people belonging to economically weak sections, and the allocation of government land and resources.

“Congress will conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative action,” says one of the points in the manifesto, called the ‘Nyay Patra’.

In another point, the Congress says “The economic empowerment of minorities is a necessary step for India to realise its full potential. We will ensure that banks will provide institutional credit to minorities without discrimination.”

But nowhere in their manifesto does the Congress claim that it will seize the wealth from the rich and distribute it among the poor. The party has promised a caste census to gather data, and accordingly implement affirmative action policy. Rahul Gandhi has called the census an ‘X-ray’ of India which the party believes will aid them in policy making.

The party’s manifesto adds that it will “address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies.”

The manifesto also mentions “first charge” on resources in a point under the ‘Welfare’ section. It mentions that India has “nearly 22 crore people who are poor,” and under their governance, “the welfare of the poor will be the first charge on all government resources.” But it makes no statements regarding surveying gold owned by Indian women or about restributing the ‘surveyed’ wea

What Did Sam Pitroda Say

Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, said that India should discuss bringing a policy similar to the inheritance tax where the government takes 55 per cent of a person’s wealth after his death.

“If a person has property worth US dollars 10 million, then after his death, 45 per cent of the property goes to his children and 55 per cent of the property goes to the government,” Mr Pitroda told ANI and added that there is no such law in India.

“Such issues should be discussed. We are talking about policies that are in the interest of the people, not just the rich,” he added.

#WATCH | Chicago, US: Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda says, “…This is a policy issue. Congress party would frame a policy through which the wealth distribution would be better…We don’t have a minimum wage (in India)…If we come up with a minimum wage in the… pic.twitter.com/PO6Mnili5p

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2024

It is worth pointing out that the US does not have a federal inheritance tax. In some states, such as Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, inherited assets are taxed. The payable tax depends on the amount of the inheritance and the relationship to the dead. This tax is only applied above a certain threshold and can go up to nearly 20 per cent of the inheritance.

What The Congress Say

Several Congress leaders have come out and clarified that there are no plans of ‘seizing and redistributing’ wealth if they are voted to power in the 2024 elections. The party has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission, highlighting PM Modi’s speech.  

But Sam Pitroda’s recent remarks have forced the party into firefighting mode saying that the comments do not reflect the party’s policies

“Mr. Pitroda’s views always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Many times they do not,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.

Sam Pitroda has been a mentor, friend, philosopher, and guide to many across the world, including me. He has made numerous, enduring contributions to India’s developments. He is President of the Indian Overseas Congress.

Mr Pitroda expresses his opinions freely on issues he…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 24, 2024

BJP’s Fresh Attack

Leading the BJP’s attack over senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s comments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today alleged that the Opposition party plans to tax inheritance passed down from parents to their children.

Addressing a poll rally at Chhattisgarh’s Surguja, the Prime Minister said the Congress’s “dangerous intentions are coming out in the open”.

“The wealth you accumulate with your hard work won’t pass down to your children. The Congress’s hand will snatch it. The Congress’s mantra is ‘loot during your lifetime, loot after your death’,” PM Modi said.