Rahul is Cong candidate for Prime Ministership: Fernandes

January 16, 2014

Fernandes
New Delhi, Jan 16: Ahead of the crucial AICC session on Friday, Union Minister Oscar Fernandes on Thursday said Rahul Gandhi is Congress candidate for prime ministership even as suspense remains on whether the party will formally annoint him as PM nominee for the Lok Sabha polls.

“Whether he (Rahul) accepts or not, he is our Prime Ministerial candidate. He will certainly accept (the responsibility), this is my opinion,” the Road Transport Minister told reporters in New Delhi.

“Wait till Friday,” Mr. Fernandes said when asked whether the announcement of Rahul Gandhi's candidature for the top post will be made on Friday.

He also said that there is no difference of opinion among senior party leaders on it. “No, no differences... we all are very happy.”

To a specific question as to how his name can be formally announced as the party's PM candidate amid different opinions in Congress on it, Mr. Fernandes, who has held key positions in party organidsation for long, insisted, “It has to be done.”

The remarks of the senior party leader are significant as they come on a day when Congress Working Committee is meeting to take a final view on the issue ahead of the AICC meeting on Friday.

In last few days, there have been contradictory signals from the party with some leaders indicating that he should be named the PM candidate before the polls while few others advocating a word of caution on it.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also hoped that such an announcement could be made at the AICC meeting.

“I certainly hope that it will be so....I certainly believe that under his leadership Congress will certainly perform well in this election,” Mr. Scindia said in reply to a question on whether Mr. Rahul's name could be announced as PM candidate in the meeting.

Lauding Mr. Rahul's leadership, he said, “I really believe that what he represents in terms of morals, values and commitment, his dedication, his vision for India going forward, is what India requires at this point of time.”

In a recent interview, the Congress Vice President appeared shedding his unwillingness for the top job, noting that he was ready to undertake any responsibility given to him by Congress.

“I am a sepoy of Congress. I will obey whatever order is given to me. I will do whatever Congress wants me to do“.

The Gandhi scion has appeared reluctant in the past to take

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News Network
December 16,2025

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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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December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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