They want Rahul to take back his resignation

There seems to be no end to the political uncertainty surrounding Congress following Rahul Gandhi's resignation as the party chief. Drama at AICC took a quick turn on Saturday when senior leaders like PL Puniya and Nana Patole also put in their papers. PL Puniya was General Secretary in charge Madhya Pradesh and Patole was looking after the agriculture cell of the Congress Party. Sources confirmed to WION/DNA that from 2nd of July, roughly 1000 to 2000 workers and junior AICC functionaries will go in for an indefinite sit in. The purpose of the sit-in is in to pressurize Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation and make other senior leaders resign from their respective positions.

Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in their papers said,” Most of the young people have been promoted by Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi does not continue as the President, then we would continue to the only function as normal workers of the party.” Sources also said that purpose is to build pressure within the organization to keep Rahul as the chief.

When WION asked the question to Congress spokesperson, Pawan Khera, he said,” It is a way to request Rahul Gandhi that he must continue as the president of the Congress. It is not about junior leaders, vs senior leaders. Throughout Saturday, a number of resignations also continue to pour in from various state units of the Congress Party. Sources also indicated that young leaders were directly in touch with non-political aides of Rahul Gandhi who seem to be providing oxygen to the idea of the sit-in.  Though Congress President in the last Congress Parliamentary Meeting had categorically said that he would not change his decision.

For Congress, the issue is that only Congress Working Committee can select a new president but can only be convened by the Congress President. Till now, Rahul Gandhi has not convened it and no other senior member constitutionally can convene the committee. Setting aside the legality, the party is currently struggling to give a coherent message without functional leadership.




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In 2014, she had declared assets worth Rs 9.28 crore that comprised movable assets of Rs 2.81 crores including 1267.3 grams gold, 88 kg silver and Rs 66 lakh in bank accounts.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Thursday declared personal assets worth Rs 11.82 crore, according to the affidavit she submitted while filing her nomination papers.
During the 2014 general elections, she had declared total assets worth Rs 9.28 crore.

Gandhi's movable assets stand at Rs 4.29 crore, according to the affidavit.

She has given a loan of Rs 5 lakh to her son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the affidavit says.

She has cash worth Rs 60 lakh and bank deposits of Rs 16.5 lakh.

In 2014, she had declared assets worth Rs 9.28 crore that comprised movable assets of Rs 2.81 crores including 1267.3 grams gold, 88 kg silver and Rs 66 lakh in bank accounts.

She has one criminal case against her, filed by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy.

1. Sonia Gandhi files nomination from Rae Bareli


UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Thursday filed her nomination from Rae Bareli with her son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Vadra Gandhi by her side.

After a brief road show, the Congress leader went to the collectorate to file her papers with a large number of Congress supporters carrying party flags and banners cheering her all along the route.

Before starting the road show, she offered puja' at the Congress office where her son-in-law Robert Vadra and grandson Rehan were also present.

The former Congress president is aiming for a fifth victory from the parliamentary constituency, in a straight contest against Dinesh Pratap Singh, who recently joined the BJP after quitting her party.

Sonia Gandhi reminded reporters about the 2004 parliamentary elections when most observers falsely predicted that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA will return to power.

Along the roadshow route, enthusiastic Congress workers from all assembly segments under the Amethi Lok Sabha seat came out in strength to support her.

Sonia Gandhi, 72, clad in a red handloom saree and bearing a tilak on her forehead, came out of her SUV to wave at the crowd.

Braving the sun, Congress supporters had waited along Kutchery Road since the morning.

Local women displayed party flags. A group of students and teachers from Ram Krishna Public Inter College stood under a tree, carrying banners with pictures of Congress leaders.

Dancing and waving flags to the beat of drums, party workers raised slogans calling for a change of government, and mocking the turncoat BJP candidate.

They chanted Takht badal do taaj badal do, beimaano ka raj badal do" and "Dal badalu phasey shikanjey mein, mohar lagegi panjey par".

Shandilya Muni, who had donned a saffron scarf and claimed to be the spokesman of Shankaracharya Prayag Peeth, evoked interest among the crowd.

Congress supporters also waved massive flags that portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Anil Ambani embracing each other.

The Congress has alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal, saying Ambani benefitted from it, a charge repeatedly denied by the Centre and the business house.

People from Priyanka Youth Front squatted on the road. They wore shirts with the picture of the Congress general secretary.

Party workers had even installed devices that showered flower petals on party leaders. Stalls distributed water packets to workers.

2. No candidates from SP-BSP


The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have not fielded any candidate in this Congress bastion.

Sonia Gandhi has earlier won the seat in 2004, 2006 bypolls, 2009 and 2014.

Since 1957, the Congress has lost this seat only three times in 1977, 1996 and 1998.

In 1977, after Emergency, the erstwhile Bharatiya Lokdal's Raj Narain defeated Indira Gandhi. BJP candidate Ashok Kumar Singh won the seat in 1996 and 1998, defeating the Congress.

The Congress has won the seat 19 times, including three bye-elections. The seat has also been represented by Firoze Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Arun Nehru, Sheila Kaul and Capt Satish Sharma in the past.

Rae Bareli constituency has five assembly segments -- Bachhrawan, Harchandpur, Rae Bareli, Sareni and Unchahar.

In 2014, the constituency recorded a poll percentage 51.73 per cent, with Sonia Gandhi getting 5,26,434 votes.




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In what could be a first twist that could create tension in the anti-BJP (alternative front) led by TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, JD(S) and Congress are sparring over the Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. Apparently, the Janata Dal is not willing to backtrack on its demand for the number of seats.

According to the alliance, the seat sharing understanding between the Congress and the JD(S) in Karnataka is 2:1 ratio. That means JD(S) will be left with 10 seats of the total 28 seats in the state. But, JD(S) chief Deve Gowda has demanded that the party wants to contest from 12 seats. Apparently, he also told his party leaders that they could have a friendly fight with the Congress if their demand is not met.

This seems to have not gone down well with Congress President Rahul Gandhi. The Gandhi Scion has knocked the doors of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and has asked him to intervene in the issue. On the other hand, to decide on the seat-sharing issue, Congress has also facilitated Sharad Pawar, Farooq Abdullah, and Chandrababu Naidu to have a meeting.

It is believed that Chandrababu may take lead in resolving it while also understand the JD(S)' stand. According to sources, Chandrababu believes that the regional party's aspirations are justified. However, the Congress may try to use the TDP Chief to convince Deve Gowda who is firm on his decision and arrive at a common understanding over seat-sharing. This may become an example of Chandrababu's role as a kingmaker in keeping the anti-BJP front together.



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In what could be termed as the first official confirmation of not everything being alright in the state Congress unit, a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Congress party, Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday asserted that some of the MLA's from the state are unhappy and the party leadership is trying to convince them.

Speaking to scribes, Jarkiholi said, "Some of them (MLAs) are not happy. They may not be 25 to 30 in numbers but there are 6 to 7 of them. MLAs are unhappy and our leadership is convincing them."

He also accused the opposition of attempting to create a rift in the party and said, "The opposition party is trying since the beginning to form the government by the support of Congress legislators through horse-trading the MLAs, but as of now there are only 6-7 MLAs who are unhappy and we will convince them."

Jarkiholi also said that he, however, is not leaving the party and claimed to be more powerful than many ministers.

"I had word with our president Dinesh Gundu Rao as well on this issue, the high command is active and our state leadership is working on it. They are not going anywhere and especially I am not going to any party or anywhere else. I am very much powerful than some ministers but yes I have asked for one more ministerial post for Belgaum district. Let us wait and see, everything will be cleared soon," he said.

In May this year, the election result for 222 out of 224 assembly constituencies of Karnataka had resulted in a fractured mandate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the single largest party with 104 seats, only nine seats short of the simple majority mark of 113.

However, the Congress party with 78 seats and JD(S) with 37 seats, along with two independent candidates, stitched up a post-poll alliance with a total of 117 MLAs.

H.D. Kumaraswamy of Janata Dal (Secular) was sworn-in as the 24th chief minister of Karnataka as he was invited to form the government in Karnataka after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led B S Yeddyurappa stepped down within three days of taking over as the state chief minister, following a fractured mandate of Karnataka assembly polls.



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With Sonia's public meeting in Telangana in Medchal turned out to be successful, Congress has got new boost. And Congress leaders want to continue this momentum and heat with strong poll campaign.

The latest is that Rahul Gandhi's Telangana tour has been confirmed. Rahul is expected to participate in six public meetings during his Telangana poll campaign and on average he will participate in three public meetigs per day. Here is the schedule of Rahul's Telangana poll campaign.

On Wednesday, 28th November, Rahul will address at three public meetings in Kodangal, Khammam and Gajwel respectively. On Thursday 29th November, Rahul will participate in three public meetings at Tanduru, Bhupalapalli and Armuru.

On 3rd December, Rahul will return to Hyderabad to take part in a grand roadshow in Hyderabad. Nonetheless Chandrababu Naidu will be joining Rahul Gandhi in this road show. This road show is expected to cover crucial 18 assembly constituencies in GHMC limits. Chandrababu Naidu is going to confine only to Hyderabad for the campaign. Though Chandrababu has considerable following in the districts of Telangana, he has only limited himself to Greater Hyderabad.



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Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday paid obeisance at the 13th-century dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti here.

Gandhi was accompanied by Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and former state chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

Gandhi family's traditional khadim (cleric) made him perform 'ziyarat' at the dargah.

The Congress president will now go to Pushkar to offer prayers.

Later, he will hold election rallies in western parts of the state including Pokaran in Jaisalmer district.


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UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched a full-fledged attack on Telangana Chief Minister KCR during her speech at the Medchal election campaign this evening. The senior Congress leader said that the Congress party had risked its political future in Andhra Pradesh while giving its nod to separate Telangana in 2014.

"In the 4 and a half years since Telangana formation, there has been no development under KCR's rule. People had fought for water, funds, and employment. But what did the Telangana government do for you?" Sonia shot a direct question to the voters.

"This is the time to end KCR family's rule. "Farmers are committing suicides, the land acquisition act and compulsory daily wages scheme for laborers were not implemented properly by the TRS government. KCR is only benefiting his family and relatives," Sonia said.

Talking about Andhra politics, the veteran politician once again promised the long-pending Special Status to Andhra Pradesh, which was denied by the BJP after coming to power in 2014. "Congress had announced special status to Andhra Pradesh in the Parliament during the state bifurcation, thinking that the lives of Andhra people will change for good. We once again promise to give the special status if elected to power," Sonia said, addressing a huge gathering.



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Congress has released a 27-page charge-sheet accusing the Raje government of corruption and fraud with the public. The dossier of Congress allegations was formally released by party president Sachin Pilot on Thursday after a series of questions posed to chief minister Vasundhara Raje did not get a response from the government.

“We started asking questions when chief minister began her ‘Gaurav Yatra’. In all 37 questions were asked but none has been answered by the ruling party. That is why we have compiled this charge-sheet of governments failures,”  Pilot said.

“Releasing this report, we appeal to people of the state to cast their votes after evaluating BJP government’s performance during this tenure,” he added. In the report, Congress targets BJP on more than 21 issues, including women safety, farmer welfare, education, and employment. The charge-sheet says that debt on state exchequer has increased nearly three times over the past five years while the agriculture growth rate declined to half. On the condition of farmers, the Congress dossier also mentions the issues related to scarcity of fertilizers and irregularities in the government purchase of farmers’ produce.

Congress alleges that the unemployment rate has reached 13.7 percent in the state which is nearly double of the national average.  Bringing law and order situation in focus, it alleges that during the past year the state has witnessed 16 percent to 75 percent rise in various types of crime. The charge-sheet also mentions that more than Rs 10,000 crore of funds for the state being held back by the central government following insufficient progress on various central government schemes. Congress state president alleged that BJP government has not fulfilled in full intent even one of more than 600 promises made in party’s manifesto of the last assembly elections.

RAHUL IN AJMER

Congress national president Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer and Bhrama temple in Pushkar in the coming week. He is expected to visit the religious shrines before addressing a public meeting in Pokran scheduled on November 26. This image of Congress president is also being associated with the party’s stand on secularism and soft Hindutva.


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Sonia Gandhi and her child, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, are good to go to crusade at Medchal supporters on November 23, which will be the main scene where the UPA administrator will be available at for the up and coming Assembly races. Yet, the advancements in the most recent week could cause some inconvenience for the Congress.

On Monday, in his supplication to the zenith court claiming mediation in the working of the Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI DIG MK Sinha named previous Congress MLA Laxma Reddy, who is the gathering's applicant from the voting public, in association with a pay off taken by Hyderabad-based representative Sana Satish Babu. Sinha has additionally named National Security Advisor, MoS for Coal and Mines Haribhai Chaudhary, Union Law Secretary Suresh Chandra, authorities of PMO and additionally Central Vigilance Commissioner KV Chaudhary.

Para 16.4 of his testimony expressed: "Circumspect inquiries were led and a source educated that there are calls blocked by another focal office in the main fortnight of June, wherein there is discussion between Shri K Laxma Reddy, MLA, Medchal, Hyderabad, and Shri Sana on cash being sent to the tune of a couple of crores."

Sources inside the Telangana unit of the Congress party said that once Reddy's name figured in the testimony, discourses were held to attempt and move the scene somewhere else as a battle by the gathering's heavy hitters could make for "awful optics". Be that as it may, a large group of reasons prevented the gathering pioneers from doing as such.

When the choice to have Sonia Gandhi was finished in the principal seven day stretch of November, Hyderabad, which was the primary inclination was precluded because of space and calculated requirements. While Hyderabad city could represent a security chance, Old Hyderabad was not favored by gathering pioneers for being a MIM fortress.

It was then chosen to hold a rally some place at the edges of Hyderabad. Be that as it may, the majority of the 24 voting public in and around Hyderabad must be quiet because of one reason or the other leaving Medchal. Khairatabad and Jubilee Nagar, which lie in the core of Hyderabad city, represented the issue of room imperatives, said a gathering pioneer.

Notwithstanding that, Maheshwaram and LB Nagar were ignored as Rahul Gandhi had held battle gatherings in these regions. Rajendra Nagar, Kukatpally and Malkajgiri, Ibrahimpatnam, Patancheru, Sanath Nagar and Uppal, which were at first recognized went to the Mahakutami, and a portion of these territories have no lack of disagreeing hopefuls.



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Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he claimed that demonetization led to a crackdown on shell firms.

Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I am shocked that a few Congress leaders, who are out on bail question us what have we done for welfare of people! They question steps like demonetization, which led to a crackdown on several shell firms."

"They want an account of demonetization. It was due to the demonetization that fake companies were identified. And because of that you had to seek bail. Why do you forget that it was due to the note ban that you had to seek bail," he said without naming the Gandhis. Modi announced the ban on high-value currency notes on November 8, 2016.

Modi's remarks were an apparent reference to the bail granted by a Delhi court to Rahul and Sonia in December 2015 in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the National Herald case.

However, reacting to Modi's remarks, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Modi and said that it takes a thief to know a thief.

"The PM’s latest Demonetisation barf is, 'Shell Firms'," said Rahul in a tweet.

Adding that ironically, Gandhi said, "The only “Shell” firms identified after the great Demonetisation tragedy are — Jay Shah's, Temple Enterprises — Piyush Goyal's Flashnet — Anil Ambani's Reliance Airports. It takes a thief to know a thief."

The Congress party has alleged that demonetization was a 'scam' to convert black money to white and asked the BJP to declare who is responsible for the 'economic loss' caused by the Modi government's move.

Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called the demonetization "disaster" an economic revolution and had given tackling black money, counterfeit currency, terrorism and Naxalism as reasons for the move.

However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had staunchly defended the demonetization drive, saying 'prophets of doom' have been proven wrong as hard data of two years shows an increase in tax base, greater formalisation of the economy and India retaining the fastest growing economy tag for the fifth year in a row.


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The Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting headed by Congress party president Rahul Gandhi will put a stamp on the first list of candidates on Monday for the state Assembly polls. Over 120 candidates may be declared in the first list that would be followed by remaining names that might be released between November 15 and 18.

The three-member screening committee panel headed by Rajya Sabha MP Kumari Selja has prepared panels for the candidates. Most of the panels have single names, of which maximum are among 25 sitting MLAs and senior leaders including former ministers and union ministers. There is confusion on many seats where mutual consent has not been reached despite several rounds of meetings held with PCC chief Sachin Pilot and AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot. According to sources, ‘in the absence of specific criteria’ in ticket distribution discontent on several seats has cropped. Senior leaders want tickets for those who have lost elections twice with huge margin which has left panel in a dilemma. Hence, the screening panel is taking feedback from four state co-incharges Vivek Bansal, Qazi Mohammad Nijamuddin, Devendra Kumar and Tarun Kumar. Informal meetings with Gehlot, Pilot and Leaders of Opposition Rameshwer Dudi are on too.

On Sunday, screening committee too informally discussed candidates panel. Meanwhile, Pilot has claimed that mutual consensus on most seats has been reached and the list will be discussed with Rahul on Monday.

“We have CEC meeting tomorrow. We are trying to arrive at a consensus on most of the seats and take the list to the party president so that he can finalise the list. It will happen first time in Rajasthan that mutual consensus will be made on candidature by leaders and workers. The intention is that good candidates contest election and our pro-people government gets formed in state,” said Pilot. He added, “Pre or post alliance at national and state level will be decided by Rahul. As I have already said we are willing to for pre or post alliance with like minded parties.”

IN A FIX

There is confusion on many seats where mutual consent has not been reached despite several rounds of meetings held with PCC chief Sachin Pilot and AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot.



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Probably, for the first of its kind, Congress party at the top level has adopted a brilliant political strategy. The top brass of Congress including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi has called on the ticket aspirants to Delhi and interacted with them. The party's senior leaders held deliberations with the aspirants who weren't being allocated tickets and tried to convince them to cooperate and support the candidates.

This is a good move to put a check to rebels. From many constituencies where there was a deadlock over tickets, Congress state leadership has finalized two candidates from such constituencies and brought them to Delhi. All these candidates have been present before Gandhi and other senior party leaders. Personally, Sonia told to have appealed the ticket aspirants to not create any ruckus or hurdles during the announcement of the first list of candidates on Nov 10th.

Sonia said to have told the aspirants to support the party's candidates and assured them that party needs them. She said that the upcoming Telangana state election is crucial for Congress and it wants to win the polls. For this, Sonia requested the aspirants to support. Senior leaders also assured them of nominated posts, other important posts after coming to power.

This kind of exercise by Congress' top leadership before the polls are said to be the first time. Congress leaders are hoping that this would yield good results in the coming general election. Party's Telangana incharge Khuntia has announced that the names of 74 candidates have been finalized and the list would be announced on Nov 10. He said out of 119 constituencies, he said that the names for 74 seats are finalized. He also reiterated that the allies have been allotted 25 assembly seats.

While TDP got 14 seats, TJS got 8 seats and CPI is given 3 seats. Khuntiya said Congress is contemplating to allow one more Assembly seat to allies. Looks like, Sonia and Rahul have come up with the good strategy to put a check to rebels. This would definitely help in avoiding the split of votes.


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How can the TDP announce an alliance with Congress when it was formed on an anti-Congress plank? If this is what has been on your mind, these are some of the reasons why the Telugu Desam Party Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is betting big on the alliance between TDP and the Congress, nationally.

1) Win-win situation

For Telugu Desam Party, BJP is the current enemy. For the BJP, TDP is the current enemy in the country. After TDP walked out of NDA, BJP High Command has taken the battle against Chandrababu personally. They have been hatching plans to finish his political career and destroy TDP, which has a very strong party cadre in both the Telugu States.

For the Congress, obviously, there is another friend in BJP's enemy. As a seasoned politician, Chandrababu indicated his inclination towards a Congress alliance during Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony in Karnataka where all the anti-BJP partners came together, in a show of strength. On the other hand, for Congress, joining hands with Chandrababu Naidu also will win them several regional allies. From Mayawati, Arvind Kejriwal to veterans like Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Deve Gowda, and others. Given that Chandrababu maintains cordial relations with most national and regional leaders and is known to be a great deal-maker, Congress will use his political acumen.

2) Reinvigorating cadre in Telangana and gaining sympathy in AP 

Ground reports in Telangana suggest that Congress is gaining a significant edge over the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi in some rural parts of the State. Despite facing defections and being grounded, the Telugu Desam Party will use the Congress to reinvigorate its cadre in Telangana. Historically, the TDP, right from its inception, has proved to be a rallying point for OBCs although it does not invoke the ideology of OBC uplift. While KCR continues to blame Chandrababu for everything wrong with Telangana, his moves will backfire as Telangana also has a considerable population of "Andhra settlers" who are pro-TDP and pro-Chandrababu. On the other hand, the Mahakutami will also prove to be a strong rallying point for voters who are upset with the TRS.

However, in Andhra Pradesh, since all the parties have ganged up against the TDP in favour of the BJP, Chandrababu can use this to gain sympathy among voters. He can claim that parties like the YSRCP, Jana Sena and other anti-TDP forces are dancing to the tunes of plans hatched by the BJP which is working against the interests of Andhra Pradesh.

3) A credible face for the alternative front 

The break-up of TDP and BJP and the yellow party's parting from the NDA was an indication of Chandrababu's game plan for 2019 elections. While the TDP stitched an alliance with the Congress, TJS, and CPI in Telangana to form a Grand Alliance, at the national level, he has been meeting several key leaders. He met all anti-BJP leaders and is making efforts in bringing together all of them under one roof. While Rahul Gandhi still seems to be unacceptable as the PM face alternative to Narendra Modi, Chandrababu Naidu's presence and strategies lend credibility and confidence for other senior leaders such as Sharad Pawar, Deve Gowda, the Badals of Punjab and the Chowtalas of Haryana.

It is also clear that the only leader in the country who can fight Modi is Chandrababu, either through experience or political acumen.

Therefore, these moves are not only "Democratic compulsion" for the country as Chandrababu claims, but also a political compulsion for TDP's victory in Andhra Pradesh and creating a considerable goodwill for the Yellow party in Telangana. All in all, Chandrababu's political games have begun! And, there will be more surprises in store as elections near!



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Nearly a month after quitting the Nationalist Congress Party, Tariq Anwar Saturday joined the Congress after meeting its chief Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, sources said.

Anwar along with his supporters met Gandhi at his Tughlaq Lane residence and was welcomed into the party fold, the sources said.

The former MP from Katihar Lok Sabha constituency would make a formal announcement of his joining the Congress party later in the day, they said.

Anwar announced he was quitting the NCP and was also giving up his Lok Sabha membership on September 28 after Sharad Pawar's "defense" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale fighter jet deal. Pawar was quoted in the media as having given a clean chit to Modi on the deal.

Pawar, however, had clarified he was misquoted in the reports and he had given no such clean chit to Modi.

A former president of Congress's Bihar unit, Anwar formed the NCP in the 1990s along with Pawar and the late P A Sangma, opposing Sonia Gandhi taking over as AICC president on grounds of her foreign origin.

The party thereafter allied with the Congress at the national level and also in Maharashtra.


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