Flex boards in support of K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan for the Kerala Chief Minister’s post next to each other at Vellayambalam in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday (May 8, 2026)
| Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

BJP emerged as the single-largest party, winning 82 seats, followed by Congress in a distant second with 19 seats. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor, Ramesh Chennithala, K.C. Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan, Kodikunnil Suresh and others celebrate at Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram the UDF’s victory in Kerala Assembly elections on May 4, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

Thirupparankundram has been in news these days for the controversy over the lighting of a traditional lamp near the Subramaniyaswamy temple during the Tamil month of Karthigai (mid-November to mid-December). Eighty years ago, the same place saw two warring groups in the State unit of the Congress breaking the ice, even though no final resolution was reached then for the power struggle between them. While one faction was headed by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Kamaraj, the other was led by veteran leader C. Rajagopalachari (C.R. or Rajaji).

The Thirupparankundram conference in October 1945 debated on the formal re-entry of Rajaji into the organisation. Before the party launched the Quit India struggle in August 1942, he quit the organisation following his differences with Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the party over the Muslim League’s demand for the creation of Pakistan and the agitation. The conference was held after the three-year ban on the Congress party was lifted following the Labour Party’s stunning success in the general election in the United Kingdom in July 1945.

In the first week of September 1945, there came an announcement for a vacancy in the TNCC from Thiruchengodu taluk (then in Salem district and now in Namakkal district). The election took place on September 5 and Rajaji was elected, as his was the only nomination. “The [Taluk Congress] Committee duly declared Rajaji elected as member of the Tamil Nadu Provincial Congress Committee and a delegate to the Indian National Congress,” stated a brief news item of The Hindu on September 8. (The vacancy arose because of his resignation from the party in 1942). But, the development came as a surprise to Kamaraj, who, according to Kamaraj: A Study (V.K. Narasimhan, National Book Trust, 2008), knew nothing about it. He had immediately challenged the validity of the election, which took place amid efforts to bring about rapproachment between the groups. Even the idea of a joint tour by Rajaji and Kamaraj was mooted, as there were widespread expectations that elections to the provincial legislatures would be held soon.

Not surprisingly but to the TNCC chief’s annoyance, Congress president Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, in no time, made it public the correspondence that he had with Rajaji in August, wherein he had welcomed the latter’s decision to rejoin the party. Kamaraj, who had developed a strong emotional antagonism towards Rajaji over the exclusion of his mentor, S. Satyamurti, from the Congress’ Council of Ministers in the Madras Presidency in 1937, however, quoted the rules of the party, which, in his interpretation, did not allow Rajaji’s election.

Organisation rules

In Kamaraj: Oru Sahaptam, seasoned Congress leader A. Gopanna recalls as per the rules of the AICC and the TNCC, a person should have been a member for three consecutive years, a rule which Rajaji did not fulfil. Besides, the popular mood in the party was against his accommodation in the organisation, the condition of which was reflected at a meet of the Congress workers in Ariylaur, where 670 out of 674 delegates voted in favour of a resolution that those who did not participate in the 1942 struggle should be kept out of the party. When the Ariylaur event took place, Kamaraj was still in jail in Amaravati in Maharashtra. The run-up to the Thirupparankundram conference was marked by the spar between the two groups, expressing views for and against Rajaji’s re-entry. At a public meeting in Thanjavur in mid-October which was, this newspaper reported on October 19, attended by around 15,000 people, Rajaji said when he left the Congress in 1942, he had “no quarrel” with leaders in the State and his differences were with the All India Congress Committee (AICC). When he decided to serve the Congress again, he “naturally intimated” it to the all-India panel. Further, all State-level Congress Committees were not functioning at the time he applied for re-admission to the Congress president.

On October 30, the day before the proposed conference of the TNCC, the State unit’s working committee met at the conference site, wherein 13 out of 14 members had taken part, the lone absentee being C.P. Subbiah, who contested against Kamaraj in 1940 for the post of president.

After the meet was over, journalists alluded to the Rajaji affair in their interaction with the TNCC chief and asked whether there was anything noteworthy about the day’s meeting. The reply: “Absolutely no hitch or trouble.” As the deliberations of the working committee were on, the news was out that Mahatma Gandhi had come out in support of Rajaji.

In a letter to L.N. Gopalaswami, secretary of the State Harijan Sevak Sangh, Gandhi said that to accuse Rajaji of “betrayal” was “not to know him.” He said Rajaji was “too good to do anything mean.”

Meanwhile, the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee had resolved against allowing Rajaji to be “a four-anna member” of the Congress, a move that triggered a strong reaction from pro-Rajaji members of the TNCC, who had met separately in Thirupparankundram on October 31 and passed a counter motion. In fact, these members were among those, numbering 200, who claimed that they were denied permission to attend the workers’ meet that was held on the afternoon of the previous day, despite being duly elected members of the TNCC. In fact, Gopalaswami had also complained that he was not originally allowed to attend the workers’ meet, but he had eventually gained entry as he was also a member of the Provincial Congress Committee. In the melee, he had lost his purse and pen but the volunteers had contributed ₹100 for him on the spot.

Inaugurating the workers’ meet, which took place under the chairmanship of K.P. Yegneswara Sarma, former TNCC chief C.N. Muthuranga Mudaliar indirectly attacked the Rajaji group which, he said, was trying to enjoy the fruits of power, even though it kept itself out of the Congress during 1942-45, when most of the party members had undergone “untold sufferings” in prisons.

On D-Day, Kamaraj had eventually sounded conciliatory, even though objections came from T.S.S. Rajan, a close associate of Rajaji, on procedural aspects of a motion that reiterated the State Working Committee’s stand against Rajaji’s election. This resolution drew support from leaders including U. Muthuramalinga Thevar, who later left the Congress to head the Forward Bloc. Even though the probe went on into the validity of the election subsequently, Kamaraj used the Thirupparankundram conference to declare that he “wholeheartedly welcomed” Rajaji’s re-entry into the party and would accept his cooperation. The political differences between the State’s two great leaders — Rajaji and Kamaraj — remained for nearly 25 more years, till the two formed a coalition in 1971 to oppose a front, which included the Congress, spearheaded by Indira Gandhi, and the DMK.

Published – December 19, 2025 08:25 am IST

Debabrata Saikia. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Elections in Karnataka have increasingly become bipolar, with 77% of the seats recording bipolar contests in 2018

New Delhi:

The BJP lashed out at the Congress, accusing it of seeking foreign funds to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming to power in 2014. The party’s allegations came a day after US President Donald Trump questioned a move by former president Joe Biden’s administration to provide $21 million to India for “voter turnout” and questioned if they were “trying to get somebody else elected”.

The Congress has demanded a White Paper on the USAID funds to India and dubbed Trump’s claims as “nonsensical”.

BJP sources said during the rule of the erstwhile Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the government received $204.28 million, while the NGOs received $2114.96 million. This inflow slowed down to a trickle once the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power. The government funding dropped to $1 million from 2014 to 2015, though the funding of non-profits increased to $2579.73 million. 

Since its creation, George Soros’s OCCRP, which produced anti-government reports that were used by the Congress to target the NDA government, received $47 million, sources said.  

“After the Modi Government came to power, funding to the NGOs and other avenues in India increased significantly, showcasing how the focus has shifted from USAID being directly involved in governmental matters to funding anti-India/anti-national forums in India,” BJP sources claimed.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress’s senior leader and communications in-charge, has hit back with a demand for a White Paper.

In a post on X, Mr Ramesh said: “USAID is very much in the news these days. It was set up on November 3, 1961. Claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical to say the least. Even so, the Govt of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades”.

USAID is very much in the news these days.

It was set up on November 3, 1961. Claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical to say the least. Even so, the Govt of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID’s support to both…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 20, 2025

On February 16, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by US billionaire and SpaceX chief Musk, listed items on which the “US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent” and the list included “$21 million for voter turnout in India”.

On Thursday, Trump questioned the purpose of providing $21 million to India for “voter turnout”. “Why do we need to spend USD 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected,” President Trump said.

The Lokayukta’s clean chit to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA land scam has triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP alleging that the state government handpicked the officers investigating the case and the Congress hitting back and saying that the issue was politically motivated.

The Lokayukta on Thursday submitted an 11,000-page closure report to the Special Court for MLAs and MPs in Bengaluru in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case against Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjunswamy and landowner J Devaraju. The allegation is that Siddaramaiah’s wife was allotted 14 sites in Vijayanagar Layout, an upmarket area in Mysuru, as compensation for the use of 3.16 acres of land in Kesare village near the city. An anti-corruption activist had complained that this had caused a loss of Rs 45 crore to the state.

Siddaramaiah has maintained that there was no wrongdoing in the transactions, asserting that the plots were gifted to his wife by her brother. 

Writing to one of the complainants, the Lokayukta had said on Wednesday that there was not enough evidence to conduct an investigation against Siddaramaiah and the charges seemed civil in nature and not “suitable for criminal charges”.

The BJP has said it has faith in the Lokayukta but insisted that the investigation was not conducted properly. 

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “We have full confidence in the Lokayukta, whereas the police officers who have investigated have been transferred, appointed, given postings by the same Siddaramaiah. We cannot expect a fair inquiry and this is an eyewash. If Siddaramaiah wants to come clean, he should hand over the case to the CBI, otherwise a high court-monitored investigation should be done.”

The Congress, however, hit out at the BJP and accused it of being okay with Lokayukta orders or rulings as long as they were in its favour.

“I had said in the beginning itself, when BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) did their padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru, that it (allegation) is politically motivated. His (Siddaramaiah) signature was not there, he had nothing to do with it. His family had lost the property and had asked for a claim, everyone does that whether it is me or you, and he was given (alternative sites). There was no demand for allotment in a specific place,” Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 

“There should be evidence to file any case, but in this case there was no evidence. Lokayukta have done their duty, if they (complainants) have any objections, let them fight (legally)… Lokayukta is not just the police, it is an independent body, the Chief Minister has no control over it. If any official has to be appointed to the body, it is only after taking the approval of the Lokayukta,” he added. 
 

New Delhi:

Congress veteran Sam Pitroda, who heads the party’s overseas unit, has courted a new controversy after claiming that the threat from China is often blown out of proportion. His suggestion that India needs to stop considering China as an enemy drew a sharp backlash with the ruling BJP calling out the Congress party over its “obsessive fascination for China”.

The remarks by Mr Pitroda, who is not unknown to controversies, follow his leader Rahul Gandhi’s assertion in the parliament that India had lost a part of its territory to China, a claim that has been trashed by the government. Speaking to IANS, the Congress leader claimed that India’s approach to China has been confrontational and that mindset needed to change.

“I don’t understand the threat from China. I think this issue is often blown out of proportion because the US has a tendency to define an enemy. I believe the time has come for all nations to collaborate, not confront. Our approach has been confrontational from the very beginning, and this attitude creates enemies, which in turn garners support within the country. We need to change this mindset and stop assuming that China is the enemy from day one,” he said in the interview.

The reply came to a question on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump would be able to control the threats from China.

Hitting back, the BJP said the crux of the Congress’s obsession with China lies in a 2008 Memorandum for Understanding between the Congress and the Chinese Communist Party, the party that runs the neighbouring country.

“Those who ceded away 40,000 square km of our land to China, still see no threat from the Dragon. No wonder Rahul Gandhi is in awe of China and was rooting for BRI one day before the IMEEC was announced. The crux of Congress party’s obsessive fascination for China, lies hidden in the mysterious 2008 Cong-CCP MOU,” said the BJP’s national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha.

China has been among the US’ major headaches in view of security concerns and trade implications. India too has been engaged in a border dispute with China, which was marked by violent clashes in 2020.

The opposition in India claims the country had lost a chunk of its land to China during these clashes – a claim that resurfaced in Mr Gandhi’s parliament speech earlier this month. Mr Gandhi had claimed China has control over 4,000 sq km of Indian territory, which was refuted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Pradeep Bhandari, another BJP spokesperson, pointed out that Mr Pitroda is a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and accused the Congress of prioritising China’s interest above India’s.

“Rahul Gandhi’s right-hand man Sam Pitroda : ‘China isn’t our enemy’! This man sings endless praises of China while Congress party’s signing of MoU in 2008 reveals a cozy betrayal of India’s interests & prioritising China’s! It’s crazy how Congress always manages to keep China & Pakistan’s interests above ours,”

“Rahul Gandhi’s remote control is in the hand of George Soros and China,” alleged Mr Bhandari, referring to the billionaire philanthropist accused of trying to influence global politics through his Open Society Foundation.

New Delhi:

Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has announced the launch of her new cafe in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali. The Mountain Story cafe, which she describes as a long-cherished dream, will open its doors on Valentine’s Day. While her fans and supporters celebrated the announcement, a surprising congratulatory message came from the Congress.

“We are happy to learn about your new ‘pure vegetarian’ restaurant. Hope you’ll serve some amazing Himachali vegetarian dishes for all tourists. Wishing all success for this venture!” wrote the official handle of the Kerala unit of Congress. 

The post, which appeared out of character given Ms Ranaut is a BJP MP and her past political clashes with Congress leaders immediately triggered reactions from social media users. Many questioned whether the Kerala Congress account had been hacked. 

“I am 100% sure this account is being run by a high school student on a lunch break!” responded one person

“Is this account hacked?” asked another 

Dear @KanganaTeam,

We are happy to learn about your new ‘pure vegetarian’ restaurant. Hope you’ll serve some amazing Himachali vegetarian dishes for all tourists. Wishing all success for this venture! pic.twitter.com/00z8I0w9UB

— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 12, 2025

Criticism also came from Congress supporters who found the message unnecessary. 

“You guys keep tweeting such cheap posts and then wonder why you are losing elections? It takes a great deal of stupidity to completely ignore the ethos of this country,” wrote one person. 

Ms Ranaut had shared a video of The Mountain Story cafe a few days ago, showing its interiors and the scenic beauty surrounding it. The video features wooden furniture, dimly lit chandeliers, and a traditional Himachali aesthetic.

“A childhood dream comes alive. My little cafe in the lap of Himalayas,” she had written.

Ms Ranaut’s latest film, ‘Emergency’, in which she plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was released in theatres in January. As a first-time MP from the BJP, Ms Ranaut remains an outspoken critic of the Congress party.