‘You don’t know me, who I am’: Sonia Gandhi threatened by Smriti Irani in Lok Sabha, alleges Congress

News Network
July 29, 2022

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New Delhi, July 29: The Congress on Thursday accused BJP MPs of subjecting its president Sonia Gandhi to "brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation" in the Lok Sabha and some MPs demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources said Congress leaders also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding action against Union minister Smriti Irani and other BJP MPs.

The speaker told them to give it in writing and he will look into their complaint, they said, adding the party later submitted a letter to Birla seeking his intervention in sending the matter to the privilege committee.

Several Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh, spoke out as the face-off between their president and Irani in the Lok Sabha chamber added to the already raging row over party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury referring to President Droupadi Murmu as 'rashtrapatni'.

The remark on India's first tribal president drew a fresh battleline between the Congress and the BJP, which demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

As the Lok Sabha adjourned soon after 12 noon, Gandhi walked across to the treasury benches and sought to know from BJP member Rama Devi why she was dragged into the issue.

Irani intervened and was seen gesturing towards Gandhi and apparently protesting Chowdhury's remark. Gandhi at first tried to ignore Irani's protestations but was soon seen gesturing towards the minister and speaking angrily.

"The brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation of one of the most dignified ladies of Indian politics Sonia Gandhi inside (Parliament) by the BJP was traumatic and sickening," Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said in a tweet, adding that it reflected the mentality of a mob.

"Adhir Ranjan made a mistake and he accepted it but the way Sonia Gandhi was treated, it shows that the expectations they (BJP) have from us, they are unable to show it towards others," he said.

Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Irani behaved inappropriately with Sonia Gandhi and used derogatory words.

"Smt. Sonia Gandhi was talking to a BJP MP Rama Devi. Smriti Irani surrounded Sonia Gandhi and called her abusive words in a very derogatory manner. When Sonia ji politely told her that she is not talking to her and am talking to another MP, Smriti Irani shouted 'you don't know me, who I am'. Many MPs of other parties and Congress MPs are witness to this incident," he said in a statement in Hindi.

"What is this maryada? Can an MP not even talk to a fellow MP? Smriti Irani can keep her point in a political way. Why is she adopting a heckling attitude with a senior MP and a party president. It is against the dignity of Parliament and politics. Political opposition apart, but is such kind of behaviour with a senior MP justified," he asked.

He also put out a Twitter post asking if rules were only meant for the Opposition.

Veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge echoed the outrage.

"The behaviour & unparliamentary conduct of many MPs & Ministers of BJP have been nothing short of outrageous today.

"Doesn't (sic) personal attacks on Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi call for suspension or is this 'honour' reserved only for asking legit parliamentary questions?" he asked on Twitter.

In the letter addressed to Birla, Congress wrote, "We seek your intervention in sending the matter to the privilege committee as the unruly behaviour of those alleged members may warrant the suspension from the House."

Congress MP Jyotsna Mahant alleged that Irani disrespected Sonia Gandhi and spoke while pointing a finger at her. "This is shameful. The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must apologise for this behaviour."

Another Congress leader Geeta Kora said the behaviour Gandhi was subjected to was "not acceptable".

"The incident that happened in Parliament is a black spot in its history. The behaviour towards a senior MP, Sonia Gandhi, is unacceptable. Women and male MPs surrounded her, made objectionable comments and Irani spoke to her while pointing a finger at her repeatedly. She could have been hurt in the incident. I strongly condemn such behaviour and Smriti Irani and the prime minister should apologise in Parliament," Kora said.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said Sonia Gandhi has "considered service, unity, progress and prosperity of the country as her first duty. Her humble nature and respect for all in every situation is well known.

"The indecent behaviour by BJP leaders in the House today is condemnable".

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also slammed Irani for what he said was "highly condemnable behaviour".

Chowdhury has said he never intended to disrespect the president and his 'rashtrapatni' remark was a "slip of the tongue". He accused the BJP of making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the issue.

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News Network
March 17,2024

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New Delhi: The Election Commission on Sunday made public fresh data on electoral bonds, which it had submitted in sealed covers to the Supreme Court and was later asked to put it in public domain.

These details are believed to be pertaining to the period before April 12, 2019. Electoral bond details after this date was made public by the poll panel last week.

The BJP encashed electoral bonds totalling Rs 6,986.5 crore; maximum Rs 2,555 crore received in 2019-20, as per the EC data.

The Trinamool Congress received Rs 1,397 crore through electoral bonds, second largest recipient after BJP, as per the EC data.

On the other hand, the Congress redeemed a total of Rs 1,334.35 crore through electoral bonds.

DMK received Rs 656.5 crore through electoral bonds, including Rs 509 crore from lottery king Santiago Martin's Future Gaming.

BJD encashed electoral bonds worth Rs 944.5 crore, YSR Congress Rs 442.8 crore, TDP Rs 181.35 crore.

Political parties had filed data on electoral bonds in sealed cover as directed by the Supreme Court's interim order dated April 12, 2019, the poll panel said in a statement.

"Data so received from political parties was deposited in the Supreme Court without opening sealed covers. In pursuance of the Supreme Court's order dated March 15, 2024, the Registry of the Supreme Court has returned physical copies along with a digitized record of the same in a pen drive in sealed cover. The Election Commission of India has today uploaded the data received in the digitized form from the registry of the Supreme Court on electoral bonds on its website," EC said.

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News Network
March 26,2024

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Hyderabad: The K Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi faces big questions as shocking allegations of state police officers tapping the phones of then Opposition leaders in Telangana, including current Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, celebrities and businessmen come to the fore.

The surveillance, it is alleged, was also used to blackmail businessmen into contributing huge amounts to the BRS party fund.

The BRS is yet to respond to the allegations.

Three senior police officers have been arrested in this connection and a lookout notice issued against T Prabhakar Rao, former chief of the state intelligence bureau, who is reportedly in the US now.

Police have said two senior officers - Additional Superintendent of Police Bhujanga Rao and Additional Superintendent of Police Thirupathanna - have admitted to illegal surveillance and destruction of evidence.

According to reports, Ravi Paul, a technical consultant with the state intelligence bureau under the then BRS government, had allegedly helped import and set up phone-tapping equipment near the residence of Mr Reddy to listen in on his conversations.

The equipment, it is alleged, was imported from Israel using a software company as the front. No permission from the Centre - a must for such imports - was taken, it is learnt. With this setup, anything spoken within a range of 300 metres could be heard, reports say.

Ravi Paul, it is alleged, set up an office near Mr Reddy's residence and installed the device. Police are set to question him in this connection.

Lookout notices have also been issued for Sharvan Rao, who runs a Telugu TV channel I News, and Radha Kishan Rao, a police officer with the city task force.

The surveillance was not restricted to Opposition leaders. Top businessmen, including real estate dealers and jewellers, and celebrities were also under surveillance. In fact, the tapping of phone conversations led to the divorce of a celebrity couple, reports say.

To add to the BRS's troubles, Chief Minister Reddy has received a complaint from Sharan Chaudhary, a businessman and a BJP leader, alleging that senior police officers kidnapped him last year and forced him to sign off a plot of land to a relative of former minister and BRS leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao.

Mr Chaudhury has alleged that Radha Kishan Rao and senior police officer ACP Umamaheswara Rao kidnapped him on August 21 while he was on his way to office. He has alleged that he was illegally detained and forced to register his property in the name of Vijay, a close relative of the minister. He was also forced to pay ₹ 50 lakh before they let him go.

The businessman has said he had approached the High Court after the incident, but Uma Maheshwar Rao threatened to file false cases against him and forced him to withdraw the petition.

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News Network
March 21,2024

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New Delhi, Mar 21: Election Commission (EC) on Thursday directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of Narendra Modi-led government to put an end to bulk WhatsApp messages labelled 'Viksit Bharat Sampark.' It has also sought a compliance report immediately from the ministry.

EC had received several complaints that such messages are still being delivered on citizens’ phones despite the announcement of Lok Sabha elections and the model code of conduct (MCC) entering into force.

In response, the govt informed the commission that although the letters were sent out before MCC came into force, some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations.

In the past few days, several WhatsApp users have received messages from 'Viksit Bharat Sampark' seeking feedback and suggestions from the public. 

The message comes with a PDF that has a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Matru Vandana Yojana, etc, and seeking suggestions from the citizens over government initiatives and schemes.

The letter which addresses users as 'my dear family members' had sparked political controversy. Congress has called the PDF file attached with the message a ‘political propaganda’.

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