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

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.

"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

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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SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

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