The Central government has declared seven days of state mourning across India, starting December 26 following the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Union Home Ministry said in a statement that the mourning period will be observed from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025, both days inclusive. "As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, it has been decided that seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout India from 26.12.2024 to 01.01.2025 both days inclusive. During this period the National flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning. It has also been decided that the state funeral will be accorded to late Dr Manmohan Singh," the Union Home Ministry statement said. It further said that the "national flag shall also fly half-mast on the day of the funeral in all Indian missions and High Commissions of India abroad." The Union Home Ministry statement also said that the Government of India has announced with profound sorrow the death of Manmohan Singh on December 26 at AIIMS hospital, New Delhi. Singh passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 92. He served as India's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and is remembered for his pivotal role in shaping the country's economic reforms and global diplomacy. His leadership and contributions to the nation have left an indelible mark, making his loss a moment of profound grief for the entire country. Singh is survived by his wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters. A globally renowned economist, Singh began his political journey during the 1991 economic crisis when then-Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao appointed him as Finance Minister. Known for spearheading transformative economic reforms in the 1990s, he leaves behind a distinguished legacy of political and economic contributions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also condoled the former Prime Minister's demise on Thursday. A former RBI governor, he is credited with allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), rupee devaluation, moderation in taxes, and privatisation of public sector companies.
27 December,2024 09:40 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentDr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India and a key architect of the nation’s economic transformation, passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92. Known for his humility, intellect, and integrity, Singh leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Born on September 26, 1932, in undivided India’s Punjab province, Singh pursued an illustrious academic journey, earning a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge in 1957 and a DPhil from Oxford University’s Nuffield College in 1962. His early career in government service began in 1971, with roles ranging from Economic Advisor to Reserve Bank Governor, culminating in his tenure as India’s Finance Minister during the pivotal economic reforms of 1991. Singh went on to become India’s fourteenth Prime Minister, serving two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. His quiet yet steadfast leadership left an indelible mark on the nation’s political and economic landscape. Here are 12 of his most memorable quotes that encapsulate his wisdom and continue to inspire us: "I would be the last person to say there is no scope of doing more." – January 3, 2014. "I have never felt like resigning at any time. I have enjoyed doing my work. I have tried to do my work with all honesty, with all sense of integrity, without regard, or fear or favour." – January 3, 2014. "I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister. That is for historians to judge. The BJP and its associates may say whatever they like. But if by 'strong Prime Minister,' you mean that you preside over a mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that sort of strength this country needs, least of all, in its Prime Minister." – January 3, 2014. "It is for you to judge. As far as I am concerned, I feel I have done reasonably well. The growth process that we sustained in the last ten years despite the global financial crisis, despite the Euro-zone crisis, and considering also what is happening in other emerging countries like Brazil, like South Africa, like Indonesia, I don't think ours is a story which can be described as non-successful or eventful." – January 3, 2014. "Let me say at the outset that I do believe we are set for better times. The cycle of global economic growth is turning for the better." – January 3, 2014. "Well, if I can succeed in normalising relations between India and Pakistan as they should prevail between two normal states, I will consider my job well done." – 2011. "I would be the first person to admit that we could have done more. We should not be satisfied with what we have achieved. There is always room for improvement and for better outcomes. But I do believe that the record of our first year is a record of reasonable achievement." "I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament." "India is a hospitable environment for FDI and will continue to do so. We will continue to improve our practices wherever they are needed." – January 3, 2014. "It is often said that time is a great healer. But unfortunately, in the case of demonetisation, the scars and wounds of demonetisation are only getting more visible with time." – 2018. "More than any other period of human history, the need for unity of thought and action today is the most urgent." – 2019. "When the world is breaking up into fragments, and fragments clash with fragments, surrendering all sense and purpose of living for the larger humanity, it is the humanity which seeks transcendence from narrow limits and boundaries." – 2019. Dr Manmohan Singh’s words reflect his dedication to progress, unity, and ethical governance. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to dream bigger, act decisively, and serve with humility.
27 December,2024 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaJan Suraj chief Prashant Kishor on Thursday gave an "ultimatum" to the Bihar government, demanding that the issue of Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants be resolved within three days or he will lead the protests himself. Speaking to the students at Gardanibagh in Patna, Kishore condemned the 'lathi-charge' on the students and called on the NDA-led government to take immediate action on two points. "The government should meet with student representatives and consider their demand for a re-examination. Yesterday, a student committed suicide, which is unfortunate. The government should announce a compensation of Rs 10,00,000 for the family of the deceased without delay," Kishor demanded. He made it clear that this was his "ultimatum" to the government, warning that if the issue is not resolved within three days, he would stand at the forefront of the protests. "This is my ultimatum to the government - if the issue is not resolved within three days and the students decide to protest further, I will be at the forefront," Kishor said. The BPSC aspirants had gathered outside the commission's office in Patna, demanding the cancellation of the exam. The protests, which began on December 13, were triggered by allegations of irregularities during the exam conducted by the BPSC. Candidates have claimed that the question paper was leaked, and there were delays in distributing the papers. Several candidates also reported receiving the question paper nearly an hour late, while others claimed that answer sheets were torn, fuelling suspicions of a potential leak. Earlier in the day, Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Yadav said that the police should not have resorted to "lathi charge" on the protesting students and said that what was done was wrong. "They shouldn't have done this. It's wrong..." Lalu Yadav said. However, police department authorities clarified that "mild force" was used and denied any injuries to the protesting aspirants. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 08:54 AM IST | Patna | ANIBusiness tycoons Anand Mahindra and Gautam Adani expressed their grief over the death of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, offered his condolences on X, writing, "Farewell Dr. Manmohan Singh. You loved this nation. And your service to it will long be remembered." Farewell Dr. Manmohan Singh. You loved this nation.And your service to it will long be remembered.Om Shanti 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/k3dY5suMYE — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 26, 2024 Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, highlighted Singh's pivotal role in transforming the Indian economy in 1991. Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh. History will forever honour his pivotal role in the transformative 1991 reforms that reshaped India and opened its doors to the world. A rare leader who spoke softly but achieved monumental strides through his actions, Dr… pic.twitter.com/seW5Fk5hKY — Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) December 26, 2024 In his post on X, Adani said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh. History will forever honour his pivotal role in the transformative 1991 reforms that reshaped India and opened its doors to the world. A rare leader who spoke softly but achieved monumental strides through his actions, Dr Singh's life remains a masterclass in leadership, humility and service to the nation and will inspire generations to come." Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi. "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM," AIIMS, Delhi said in a statement. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and leaders across the political spectrum condoled Manmohan Singh's death. Dr Manmohan Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. Born in Punjab in 1932, he served two terms as Prime Minister of India--from 2004 to 2014. He first took office after the Congress Party's victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, defeating the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served a second term from 2009 to 2014 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 08:51 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIPresident Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday evening. She said that Dr Singh made critical contributions to reforming the Indian economy and will be remembered for his service to the nation. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be… — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 26, 2024 In a condolence message on X, Murmu said, "Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility. His passing is a great loss to all of us." "I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers," President Murmu added. Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions, AIIMS informed. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in a condolence message, said, "A Padma Vibhushan awardee and architect of India's economic liberalisation in 1991, he boldly steered our nation through a critical transition, opening new pathways for growth and prosperity." "His profound understanding of economy, gentle demeanor and unwavering commitment to India's progress will forever be etched in my memory. In Dr. Singh's passing, India has lost a leader of towering intellect and a statesman par excellence. His legacy will forever guide Bharat's growth trajectory," he added. Dr Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years in the house. Manmohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served two terms as Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. He first took office in 2004 after Congress' victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha election against the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served his second term from 2009 to 2014 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 08:47 AM IST | New Delhi | ANISeveral prominent leaders from the BJP, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, expressed their sorrow and grief over the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday. They lauded his contributions to India's economic reforms and his service to the nation. In a condolence message on X, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "As Finance Minister and Prime Minister, he played an important role in the governance of the country." Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute in a post on X, saying, "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the nation while discharging various responsibilities." Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his condolences, saying, "India has lost a great scholar, economist & statesman with the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh. His contributions in the Indian economic reforms, serving our Nation as PM for 10 years, will be remembered forever." Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma also consoled the demise of Dr Singh, saying, "Received the sad news of the demise of former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh ji." "My condolences are with the bereaved family. May Lord Shri Ram grant the departed soul a place in his supreme abode and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss," said CM Sharma. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called the demise of the former Prime Minister "extremely sad." "Your journey from a simple village in Punjab to becoming an economist and Prime Minister of India shows your dedication. You will always be remembered for your simplicity and scholarship. Your contribution to the development of the country will always be unforgettable. I pray to God to give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the loved ones in this difficult time," he said. Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi. "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM," AIIMS, Delhi said in a statement. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and leaders across the political spectrum condoled Manmohan Singh's death. Dr Manmohan Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. Born in Punjab in 1932, he served two terms as Prime Minister of India--from 2004 to 2014. He first took office after the Congress Party's victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, defeating the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served a second term from 2009 to 2014 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 08:43 AM IST | New Delhi | ANILeading figures from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have expressed their deep sorrow following the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday. In their tributes, these leaders praised Singh’s extensive contributions to India’s economic reforms and his unwavering dedication to serving the nation throughout his career. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated, "As Finance Minister and Prime Minister, he played an important role in the governance of the country." Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also shared his respects, posting, "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the nation while discharging various responsibilities." Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mourned the loss of Dr. Singh, remembering him as a "great scholar, economist and statesman." Fadnavis added, "His contributions to Indian economic reforms and his decade-long service as Prime Minister will always be remembered." Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also expressed his condolences, saying, "I received the sad news of the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. My condolences are with the bereaved family. May Lord Shri Ram grant the departed soul a place in his supreme abode and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss." Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called the passing of Dr. Singh "extremely sad," and reflected on his journey, "Your journey from a simple village in Punjab to becoming an economist and Prime Minister of India shows your dedication. You will always be remembered for your simplicity and scholarship. Your contribution to the development of the country will always be unforgettable." Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92, was admitted to AIIMS, Delhi, following a sudden loss of consciousness on December 26, 2024. Despite resuscitative efforts at home and at the hospital, he was declared dead at 9:51 PM. As per ANI reports, the hospital confirmed that he had been suffering from age-related medical conditions. Singh's passing has left the nation in mourning, with tributes pouring in from across the political spectrum, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Dr. Singh, a renowned economist, served as Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, leading the country through significant economic reforms. He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. His leadership was marked by key milestones, particularly in shaping India’s economic policies and strengthening international relations. Dr. Singh's tenure saw India’s economic growth soar, and he remains one of the most respected figures in Indian political history. (With inputs from ANI)
27 December,2024 08:40 AM IST | New DelhiThe last rites of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will be held on Saturday, an official announcement is expected on Friday, reported news agency ANI. "The last rites of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh will be held the day after tomorrow. We will announce officially..." Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal told reporters in Delhi late Thursday night. The Congress leader described the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh as a "painful loss" for the nation, reported ANI. "Dr Manmohan Singh was the real icon of the Congress and the country. A post-independence hero. His mission and ability to govern the country was witnessed by everyone..." he said. He further said that all the programs of the Congress have been cancelled for seven days including the Congress Foundation Day scheduled to be held on December 28, reported ANI. The body of Dr Manmohan Singh reached his residence at 3 Motilal Nehru Marg late Thursday night from AIIMS and will be placed for the public to pay their last respects. Senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited Dr Singh's residence. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi returned to Delhi from Karnataka's Belagavi, to pay their respects. Congress leaders expressed their condolences and praised Dr Singh's pivotal role in shaping India's economy. Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related health conditions. He reportedly suffered a sudden loss of consciousness at home before being rushed to AIIMS. "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM," AIIMS said in a press release. In a condolence message on X, LoP in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said that Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. "His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," Rahul Gandhi wrote. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Manmohan Singh has left his indelible imprint on our history. "His Prime Ministership saw revolutionary legislation relating to rural employment, tribal rights, reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, primary education, food security, and land acquisition. The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a landmark that enhanced India's global status. His Prime Ministership saw the highest GDP growth rate in the country's history," Jairam Ramesh said in his tributes on X. "Many of the initiatives he took as PM were marketed, branded, and projected as his successor's contributions. But Dr Singh never minded and would give his trademark smile," Ramesh said. Several Congress leaders, including Chief Ministers Revanth Reddy, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and Siddaramaiah, paid their respects. Leaders from opposition parties, including Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Bhagwant Mann, Akhilesh Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren, also expressed their sorrow. Ghulam Nabi Azad, President of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, said, "Very sad... He can never be forgotten. I pray for peace to his soul." Congress MP and Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Prasad Singh called the demise "a personal loss." Congress leader Rajesh Thakur also consoled Dr Singh's demise, saying, "Today we have lost a respected person of the country, whose loss can never be filled... He (former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) worked continuously for every person and also worked to strengthen the country's economy..." Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said, "The news of the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh is unfortunate. It is an irreparable loss for the nation and the Congress Party..." Manmohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served as India's Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, from 2004 to 2014. He took the oath of office for the first time in 2004, after Congress' win in the 2004 Lok Sabha election against Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served his second term from 2009 to 2014. He was then succeeded by PM Narendra Modi in 2014. He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, after serving for 33 years. (With inputs from ANI)
27 December,2024 08:37 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIOn Friday morning, residents of Delhi woke up to light rain across several parts of the city, accompanied by a dense layer of fog. This combination resulted in significantly reduced visibility, affecting both local commuters and tourists alike. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the capital recorded a minimum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius on Friday. The IMD has forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by rain over the next couple of days, with more showers expected to drizzle throughout the city on both Friday and Saturday. Local resident Deepak Pandey commented on the change in weather, stating, "The weather has become good and it feels like Kashmir. It's pleasant now, and the rain has decreased the level of pollution. Even though it’s cold, it’s an ideal time for travelling." Meanwhile, a tourist from Madhya Pradesh, Raman Kushwaha, noted that although it was chilly, the light rain made it an enjoyable experience to visit the city. "It’s good to visit places in this weather. The rain has also helped reduce the pollution," he said. Visuals from Kartavya Path showed the drizzle bringing refreshing weather, though dense fog still lingered in the area, obscuring the surroundings. However, despite the pleasant weather, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) remained in the 'very poor' category, with an AQI of 371 recorded as of 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI readings at various locations across the city were as follows: Anand Vihar recorded 398, IGI Airport (T3) 340, Aya Nagar 360, Lodhi Road 345, ITO 380, Chandni Chowk 315, and Punjabi Bagh 386. In recent developments, the Central government's air quality monitoring panel had revoked the Stage IV ('Severe+') measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) after the AQI improved on December 24. According to ANI, these restrictions, which had been enforced to curb severe pollution, included halting industrial activities, construction, and limiting non-essential truck entry into Delhi. As per ANI, actions under Stages I, II, and III will still remain in place to prevent further deterioration in air quality. The improvement in Delhi’s air quality was attributed to favourable meteorological conditions, including increased wind speed, which were forecasted by the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). The Stage IV measures had been invoked when the AQI level surpassed the 400-mark on December 16, in line with the Supreme Court’s directives, aimed at tackling the severe air pollution affecting the region. With the reduced pollution levels and the upcoming rainy days, Delhi residents can expect some relief from the haze, although the city’s air quality remains a major concern.
27 December,2024 08:32 AM IST | New DelhiThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a scathing attack on the Congress on Thursday, accusing it of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls to harm the prospects of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged at a press conference here that the actions of the Congress are damaging the unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). “We had not said a single word against the Congress during the Haryana election. Yet the Congress seems to be reading out from the BJP’s script. Its candidates’ list looks as if it was finalised at the BJP office,” Singh said. He accused Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dixit of targeting the AAP, instead of focusing on the BJP. The party demanded disciplinary action against Maken and other Congress leaders within 24 hours and said if no step is taken, it will push for the grand old party’s expulsion from the INDIA bloc. “We will ask the other parties in the alliance to remove the Congress,” Singh said. CM Atishi echoed similar sentiments, claiming that the Congress is actively undermining the AAP. The Delhi Assembly polls are due in February 2025. Bodybuilders, wrestlers join AAP ahead of polls Several sportspersons, including wrestlers and bodybuilders, joined the AAP in the presence of party chief Arvind Kejriwal here on Thursday, giving a boost to the party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Kejriwal welcomed Tilakraj, Rohit Dalal and Akshay Dilawari, who are associated with sports and fitness, at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office and handed party scarves and caps to them. Kejriwal said around 70-80 bodybuilders and wrestlers have joined the party. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 07:39 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting namely “Nav Satyagraha Baithak” began here on Thursday as the party marks the 100th anniversary of its Belgaum session that was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi and chalks out a plan for the political and electoral challenges in 2025. Top Congress leaders, including party chief Mallikarjjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chief Sonia Gandhi, and former party chief Rahul Gandhi, marched to the venue of the extended CWC meeting here. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakaumar, Congress general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal, among others, attended the “historic” meeting. The Congress said it will re-dedicate itself to protect, preserve and promote Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, which is facing a “systematic assault by the ideological brotherhood that fought him bitterly”. Sonia stated that that Mahatama Gandhi’s legacy is under threat from those in power at the Centre. She lashed out at the Modi government and the RSS and called for fighting the forces which she claimed had created a toxic atmosphere that led to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. In a bid to get battle-ready for the challenges ahead, the Congress will decide on an action plan for the next year at the CWC meeting. Controversy erupts over ‘incorrect’ India map A controversy erupted over the alleged misrepresentation of India’s map on the posters displayed by the Congress to commemorate the centenary of the 1924 Congress session. According to the BJP and its ally JD(S) in Karnataka, India’s map featured on the posters omits the Gilgit region of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as well as the Aksai Chin region, currently under the Chinese administration, which are integral parts of Jammu and Kashmir. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 07:37 AM IST | Belagavi | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
