Margaret Alva vents anger against Sonia for not allowing to become minister

[email protected] (India Today)
July 16, 2016

New Delhi, July 16: Congress veteran Margaret Alva today accused her boss Sonia Gandhi of running the party "arbitrarily" and claimed she was often told by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he wanted her in his Cabinet, but the Congress president did not allow it.

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"The decision making in the Congress is very centralised," Alva told Karan Thapar in India Today TV's show, To The Point. She made a series of damning charges against Sonia and other senior Congress leaders in her interview with Thapar.

Alva was sacked in 2008 because she had raised the issue of Congress tickets being sold in the run-up to the Assembly election in Karnataka. "I paid the price for saying the tickets were being sold," she said, adding that she was reprimanded by Sonia for speaking out before the Karnataka polls.

After the Assembly election in Karnataka in November 2008 - which the Congress lost giving the BJP its first ever government in a southern state - Alva had alleged that seats were open to bidders rather than subject to merit. The Congress denied the claims, forcing Alva to resign from the party.

The two patched up later and Alva went on to become the governors of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister during the UPA regime.

Although the contents of her 2008 resignation letter remained a subject of media speculation for a long time, it is for the first time that Alva has revealed the details of the letter in a new book, 'Courage and Commitment', on her days with the Congress.

The book, Alva says, reveals untold stories about her sacking, Sonia's "arbitrary functioning", Sonia's relations with Narasimha Rao, and even details on VVIP chopper scam accused Christian Michel's father's alleged links with Indira Gandhi's son Sanjay and other senior Congress leaders.

Incidentally, earlier this month Alva was made the member of a Congress panel to help improve the synergy between the party and the government in Karnataka, which the Congress currently rules.

Comments

Rajesh Sequira
 - 
Sunday, 17 Jul 2016

Madam Alva was a staunch Congress supporter and has benefit a lot. Now she should not make such statements if she is disgruntled.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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