Congress veteran Anand Sharma, a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), has raised strong objections to the party’s Lok Sabha election campaign centered around the caste-based census, calling it a “departure from the historic position and also amounting to disrespecting the legacy of former Congress PMs Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi”.
Recalling the inclusive and all-encompassing approach of the Congress party, Anand Sharma cited popular slogans by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and said that the party’s current stand will come as an indictment of previous Congress governments. Also, it will give political opponents of Congress a handle to throw muck at it.
“Na Jaat Par na paat par, Mohar lagegi haath par,” Sharma quoted Indira Gandhi’s clarion call of 1980.
He further quoted Rajiv Gandhi’s historic call as the Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha in 1990, where the former PM said, “We have problems if caste is defined to enshrine casteism in our country. We have problems if casteism is going to be made a factor for Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies. The Congress can not stand by and watch this nation being divided.”
The CWC leader also hinted at lack of coordination in the party, and said, “The participation of District and Pradesh Congress Committees in consultative process would have helped in building a broad internal consensus.”
Sharma’s objection to the Congress stand on caste census has caught the party off guard as the latter has been striving to make it a rallying point ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Rahul Gandhi’s poll pitch for ‘jitni abadi, utna haq’ has already been termed ‘backward and regressive’ by political pundits and now with discordant voices within the party, its campaign may flounder and hit a rough patch.
Anand Sharma is one of the G-23 leaders who wrote a scathing letter to the then Congress President Sonia Gandhi in 2021 and called for sweeping changes in the party’s structure and functioning.
BSF apprehends 19 Bangladeshis, three Indians in Tripura
The Border Security Force (BSF) have arrested 19 Bangladesh nationals and three Indian nationals including a tout from different districts of Tripura, officials said on Wednesday.
J.P. Nadda to address mega rally on 2nd anniversary of BJP 2.0 govt in Tripura
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J.P. Nadda will address a massive public rally in Agartala on March 9 on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Manik Saha-led BJP 2.0 government in Tripura.
Mukhyamantri Samipeshu: CM Manik Saha extends assistance to people
In the 38th edition of the Mukhyamantri Samipeshu, citizens from various parts of the state met Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha to seek assistance regarding their grievances and issues.
MP Kriti Devi Debbarman chairs DISHA meeting, reviews progress of various projects
The Khowai District Disha Committee meeting was held today at the conference hall of the District Magistrate's Office, presided over by MP Kriti Devi Debbarman. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of various central and state government projects being implemented by different departments in the district.
CM visits TIPRA Motha President BK Hrangkhawl in Hospital
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today visited TIPRA Motha Party President and veteran leader Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, who is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Agartala following an illness.
Tripura Traffic Inspector held for Rs 74 Lakh embezzlement
Tripura Police on Wednesday arrested an Inspector of its traffic unit for allegedly embezzling Rs 74 lakh from the Bishalgarh Traffic Police Unit under Sepahijala District.
87 investors signed MoUs to invest Rs 3,700 crore in Tripura: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that 87 investors from different parts of the country signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) promising to invest Rs 3,700 crore across different sectors, during the recent investors’ summit in Agartala.
Mizoram capital to come on Indian railway map within 5 months
Mizoram's Aizawl will be the fourth capital city in the northeast region to be joined by a railway link, and within five months, with the Bairabi-Sairang new line project at an advanced completion stage, officials said on Tuesday.