_chief_Gurnam_Singh_Charuni-min.jpg)
_chief_Gurnam_Singh_Charuni-min.jpg&description=Priyanka Gandhi should lead Cong to save party: BKU chief Gurnam Charuni){kind=link}
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni on Sunday said the leadership of the Congress party should be handed over to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to salvage its prospects.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Charuni, who also founded the Sanyukt Sangharsh Party, said that only the Congress high command can address the internal issues plaguing the party.
Speaking on the controversial issue of ticket-selling in politics, the BKU chief stated, "Money and ticket selling is very common in politics; all parties practice it. But other parties are not arrogant, they compromise with those who settle down. Congress, on the other hand, has shown arrogance, and that is where the problem lies."
"I will also say that if the command of the party is in the hands of Priyanka Gandhi, then the Congress party can be saved," the BKU chief said.
"If the party is led by Priyanka Gandhi instead of Rahul Gandhi, even though both are siblings, it stands a chance of revival. Otherwise, the BJP rule will continue to dominate," Charuni further argued.
Charuni's remarks come after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exceeded expectations in the Haryana Assembly, securing 48 seats -- an increase from the 40 seats it won in 2019. The Congress fell short with 37 seats, while Independents captured three.
In a direct criticism of Congress leadership in Haryana, Charuni blamed former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the party's defeat.
"Hooda is the biggest reason for Congress' defeat because he did not compromise with anyone, and all responsibility was placed on him," he asserted.
The BKU chief also cautioned the Congress leadership, urging them not to entrust Hooda with any future responsibilities if they wish to be an effective opposition in the Haryana Assembly.
Reflecting on Hooda's tenure, Charuni remarked, "The farmers' union played the role of the opposition over the last decade, not Bhupinder Singh Hooda."
The farmer leader said, "The atmosphere that was created in favour of Congress in Haryana was due to us, the farmers, but the party couldn't make the best out of it."
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 32 Tamil fishermen, five boats seized
The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Lankan waters.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
PM Modi on 3-day visit to MP, Bihar, Assam from today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from February 23 to 25 to participate in several developmental projects and inaugurate business summits.
US senators call out China for 'weaponising' UN 1971 resolution, vow support to Taiwan
The United States Senators accused China of subverting United Nations Resolution 2758 in an attempt to isolate Taiwan. The senators proposed a resolution in the Senate reaffirming US support for Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's attempt to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations.