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‘I am not afraid’, says Sonia Gandhi on AgustaWestland deal

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Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today rejected as “baseless” allegations linking her and party leaders to bribes in the AgustaWestland chopper deal and said she is not “afraid” of being “cornered” on the issue.

She asked the government what it has been doing in power for the last two years on the issue and demanded that the ongoing inquiry be completed impartially.

“I am not afraid of anyone cornering me as there is no basis to that. All the accusations they are throwing at us are false,” Gandhi told reporters in Parliament complex as BJP sought to target her onTHE DEAL .

“Where are the proofs. They are lying. They are part of a strategy of character assassination which we have known these people indulge in,” Gandhi said.

Referring to the Modi government, Gandhi asked what has it been doing over the last two years.

“The government is there for the last 2 years. What are they doing? Inquiry is there, why don’t they complete it? Complete it as soon as possible, impartially,” she added.

Gandhi’s political secretary and senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also rubbished the allegations against him and the party as “absolutely baseless.”

“This government, when they are saying all these things outside and inside the Parliament, why can’t they investigate,” Patel said.

“If there is something against me, they should find out and they should hang me,” he said when asked by reporters for his reactions over the allegations.

The comments of Sonia Gandhi and Patel come in the backdrop of BJP move to target the Congress President and other party leaders on the issue of bribes in the AugustaWestland chopper deal during the UPA regime in a bid to corner the main opposition party which has been paralysing Rajya Sabha on the Uttarakhand affair.

BJP today sought an explanation from Congress, while the opposition party hit back, asking why the Modi government had cancelled the process of blacklisting the firm in question.

Attacking Congress, Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar said that what has been revealed in Agusta Westland case is “very important and very serious” and that Congress owes an explanation.

He said that instead of disrupting Parliament, Congress should introspect on what “they have done to the country and explain what is the role of their leaders” in the case.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also targeted Congress, saying that those accused ofPAYING bribes are in jail, but the alleged recipients are blocking the progress of the country.

There should be a discussion on the matter so that facts can come out in the open, he said.

BJP is expected to raise the issue in Parliament. Congress has been paralysing proceedings in Rajya Sabha over the imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand.

Top BJP leaders had met yesterday to chalk out a strategy following reports that an Italian court, which has convicted AgustaWestland chief Giuseppe Orsi, has described how the firm paid bribes to certain Congress leaders to bag the Rs 3,600 crore deal.

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, however, hit back, saying that if anybody needs to answer questions on the matter it is the Modi government.

He said the UPA governement had included an integrity clause as per which the contract for purchase of helicopters from Agusta Westland was cancelled, the guarantee forfeited and process initiated for recovery ofMONEY .

Surjewala said that the money too was recovered and “not a singleRUPEE loss was caused to the Government of India.”

He said that the UPA government had also ordered a CBI inquiry as well as initiating the process of blacklisting Agusta Westland.

“On the contrary, as the government changed in May 2014, Modiji proceeded to cancel the process of blacklisting Agusta Westland. Why did Modiji not blacklist Agusta Westland?” Surjewala asked.

(Agencies)

Congress left red-faced as mouthpiece targets Nehru, Sonia

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Sonia Gandhi

Mumbai: In an embarrassment to Congress, articles in its mouthpiece today criticised Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy on Kashmir issue and alleged that Sonia Gandhi’s father was a “fascist soldier”, leaving the party squirming over the controversy on its Foundation Day.

An unsigned write-up in the Mumbai unit’s journal, coinciding with the party’s 131st foundation day, blamed Nehru for “the state of affairs in Kashmir, China and Tibet” even as another write-up made controversial remarks on party chief Sonia Gandhi, forcing its editor and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam to order inquiry even as he claimed he was unaware of the content.

 

Both these articles, which do not bear the name of the writer, have been published in this month’s issue of ‘Congress Darshan’ Hindi edition as a tribute to the country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabbhai Patel on his death anniversary on December 15.

The article states that Nehru should have listened to Patel’s views on international affairs and that the relationship between the two leaders remained strained.

“Despite Patel getting the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, the relations between the two leaders remained strained, and both had threatened to resign time and again,” the article says.

If Nehru had embraced Patel’s foresight, many problems in international affairs would not have arisen, it adds.

The article cites a letter that Patel purportedly wrote in 1950 to caution Nehru against China’s policy towards Tibet and in which “Patel described China as unfaithful, and a future enemy of India.”

“Had Patel been heard (by Nehru) then, the problems of Kashmir, China, Tibet and Nepal wouldn’t have existed now. Patel opposed Nehru’s move of taking the Kashmir issue to the UNO,” stated the article, adding, “Nehru did not agree with Patel’s views on Nepal.”

Another article, which focuses on the Congress President, describes her early life in great detail, including her “ambition to become an airhostess”, as well as allegation that her father was a member of the Italian forces that lost to the Russians in the World War.

“Sonia Gandhi’s father Stephano Maino was a former fascist soldier,” it alleged.

The write-up also describes how Sonia quickly rose to the position of party president.
“Sonia Gandhi registered as a primary member of the Congress in 1997 and became the party’s president in 62 days. She also made an unsuccessful attempt to form a government,” the article says.

Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief and editor of the journal Sanjay Nirupam said he is not involved in the day-to-day functioning of the magazine and was unaware of the articles.

“I admit the mistake. Inquiry will be initiated against the editorial department which committed the mistake. We will take measures that such a mistake is not repeated,” Nirupam said.

In Delhi, Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Raj Babbar said that it should be seriously looked into.

“If something like this has come out in the Congress article, then AICC will take it up,” Khurshid said.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that it was clear that the writer was not aware of history and had no knowledge of the conditions under which Nehru had become the first Prime Minister and the challenges he faced like eradicating poverty.

Top Congress leaders had gathered to mark the Foundation Day at at AICC headquarters in the national capital.

(Agencies)

National Herald case: Sonia, Rahul appear in court, granted bail

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New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi were granted bail in the National Herald case on Saturday by a court here.

They appeared in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Loveleen in the Patiala House courts complex amid tight security.

A team of Special Protection Guard (SPG), Border Security Force, and anti-bomb squad has been deployed at the Patiala House court premise here.

A large number of Congress party workers gathered at the party’s headquarters to express solidarity with the two top leaders.

Sonia Gandhi had reportedly asked party leaders and supporters from other states not to throng the capital on Saturday.

Congress leaders have alleged a “political vendetta” for the National Herald cheating and misappropriation case involving the Gandhis.

“Its a political vendetta. We will fight the legal battle in accordance with law. We have complete respect for the judicial process,” said Congress spokesman R.S. Surjewala.

Another Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Shinghvi said: “We have faith in the judiciary, all legal options including bail are available. We will proceed to court in a serious and dignified manner. No reason for hype.”

The court had ordered Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to appear on Saturday in connection with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy’s complaint in the National Herald case.

On June 26 last year, the trial court issued summons to the Congress leaders on Swamy’s complaint about “cheating” in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young India Ltd (YIL), a firm in which Sonia Gandhi and her son each own a 38 percent stake.

The Delhi High Court last week dismissed the plea of the Gandhis to quash the summons issued to them by a trial court.

(IANS)

I am not scared of anyone: Sonia Gandhi

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Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: “I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone,” a combative Congress President Sonia Gandhi asserted today, invoking the legacy of the late Prime Minister in the wake of the National Herald case.

“I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone. I am not disturbed.” Gandhi told reporters after a meeting of the strategy committee of Congress party in Parliament.

She was asked about the Delhi High Court rejecting their pleas for quashing the summons by a Delhi court against them in the National Herald case.

Her remarks came as the metropolitan magistrate’s court here earlier in the day allowed her exemption plea as well as that of Rahul Gandhi and others for the day.

The court, however, directed them to appear in person on December 19.

The National Herald case had its echo in Parliament with Congress members staging protest in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over what they described as “political vendetta”.

They, however, did not specifically mention the National Herald case in their protests in either of the House.

(PTI)

National Herald case: HC dismisses Gandhis’ plea against summons

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New Delhi: In a setback to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi, the Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed their plea to quash summons issued to them by a trial court on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s complaint in the National Herald case.

Justice Sunil Gaur dismissed their pleas which means the Gandhis will have to appear before the trial court in the case.

Apart from the Gandhis, the court also dismissed the pleas of Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, family friend Suman Dubey and party leader Oscar Fernandes who had moved the high court for quashing of summons to them by the trial court.

On June 26, the trial court issued summons to the Congress leaders on Swamy’s complaint about “cheating” in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL) by Young India Ltd. (YIL) – “a firm in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each own a 38 percent stake”.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who had appeared for Sonia Gandhi, sought quashing of the proceedings initiated by the lower court against her and the others, saying that the complaint made by Swamy against them were only “allegations without any supporting proof”.

He had said there was no illegality in Young India Ltd. (YIL) taking over Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, as per the Companies Act.

Swamy had claimed that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, as majority shareholders of YIL, benefited from the acquisition of AJL. He alleged that AJL had received an interest-free loan of Rs.90.25 crore from the Congress and that the party transferred the debt to YIL for Rs.50 lakh.

At the time, AJL, which had Vora as its chairman, claimed that it could not repay the loan and agreed to transfer the company and its assets to YIL.

Filing the plea in the high court, the Congress leaders had said Swamy was a political opponent and the present criminal proceedings were initiated only with an intent to secure an oblique political objective.

(IANS)

GST bill deadlock: Modi invites Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh for tea

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New Delhi: Reaching out to main opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh for tea this evening during which issues like GST may come up.

Modi today invited the Congress leaders at his Race Course Road residence at 7 PM, sources said.

This assumes significance as the Government and the Congress are at loggerheads which is stalling the passage of crucial legislations like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had yesterday said that the Prime Minister is willing to speak to everyone to get the landmark indirect tax law through.

Jaitley, who needs Parliament approval for GST Bill in the winter session to roll out the new indirect tax regime as planned from April 1, said he has spoken to “almost all Congress leaders” on the issue.

“We have absolutely no hesitation even at the level of Prime Minister. We have never had in it in the past, we don’t have it (now). He is willing to speak to everyone,” he had said.

Congress had stalled passage of the GST Constitution Amendment Bill in the last session of Parliament over its demand that a revenue-neutral rate not higher than 18 per cent be mentioned in it. It is also opposed to states being given powers to levy additional 1 per cent tax on supply of goods over and above GST rate.

(PTI)

Sonia targets government, says constitutional principles attacked

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Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday targeted the Narendra Modi government during a debate in parliament, saying that the principles that inspired the country for decades were being “deliberately attacked”.

In her speech in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi spoke of the contribution of B.R. Ambedkar to the making of the constitution and also recalled his words praising the contribution of the Congress to the process of its adoption.

Attacking the Modi government during the debate on commitment to India’s constitution, she said: “Whatever we have seen for the past few months, it is against the values of constitution.”

“Today is a day of happiness but there is also pain. The principles that inspired (us) for decades, a danger is lurking over them. They are being deliberately attacked,” she said.

“The people who have no faith in constitution, who have not contributed to its making, they are talking about it repeatedly, are trying to appropriate it. There cannot be a bigger joke,” she added.

The Congress has for the past some months persistently attacked the Modi government over “rising intolerance”.

The house on Thursday took up discussion on commitment to India’s Constitution as part of 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Ambedkar, regarded as the chief architect of the constitution.

The day is also being observed as the Constitution Day, commemorating the acceptance of draft statute on this day in 1949.

(Agencies)

Tipu controversy: BJP demands Siddaramaiah’s ouster, takes swipe at Sonia

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New Delhi: BJP today demanded the Karnataka chief minister’s resignation following death of two persons in violence over Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary celebrations, and took a swipe at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi asking if she will now lead a march and seek Siddaramaiah’s ouster.

BJP said Siddaramaiah was unable to handle the law and order situation, and sought a probe into the death threats made against playwright Girish Karnad and its MP Prathap Simha. It also expressed concern that no arrest has been made in the murder of rationalist M M Kalburgi.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must resign. Two persons have died and he has not been able to handle the law and order situation. Will Sonia Gandhi go to Bengaluru and march against this? Will she demand Siddaramaiah’s resignation?” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters.

Gandhi had on November 3 taken to the streets and led a march of its top leaders to Rashtrapati Bhavan to protest against the climate of growing intolerance in the country and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “endorsing” incidents of hate.

Referring to the alleged death threats received by Jnanpith awardee Karnad and BJP MP Simha on social media, the party sought a probe into it.

Karnad, who came under severe attack for his remarks that Bengaluru international airport should have been named after Tipu Sultan rather than the city’s founder, Kempe Gowda, received a threat on Twitter that he would meet with the same fate as rationalist M M Kalburgi, who was gunned down recently by two men at his residence in Dharwad in north Karnataka.

Karnad, though, later apologised, saying he did not want to hurt people’s feelings.

Meanwhile, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu pooh-poohed suggestions that the Bengaluru airport should have been named after 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan and not city’s founder Kempe Gowda.

“Decision has been made to name Bangalore airport after him. Public has also welcomed this decision. Now taking up again the same issue and suggesting different names do not have any meaning. There is no point in discussing now after the airport has been named after a great person who was instrumental creating Bangalore city.

“Secondly, the government (Karnataka) before taking any steps should keep in mind the public sentiment. Thirdly, no body should add fuel to the fire,” Naidu told reporters.

(PTI)

Manmohan, Sonia, Rahul Pay Tributes to Indira, Patel

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New Delhi: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid tributes to former prime minister Indira Gandhi and India’s Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

They paid tribute to Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary at the Shakti Sthal memorial site dedicated to her.

“We pay tribute to Indira Gandhi today (Saturday). A leader with courage and compassion. She protected the poor and died for India,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984 by her bodyguards a few months after the Indian Army took action in the Golden Temple in Amritsar to remove militants from there as part of a move to counter the insurgency in Punjab.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari also visited Shakti Sthal to pay floral tributes to Indira Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute and said: “Tributes to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.”

She was born on November 19, 1917.

She held the office of prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977. She also became the prime minister from January 14, 1980 till her death.

The three Congress leaders also paid tribute to India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary.

Sardar Patel, known as India’s Iron Man, played a major role in the country’s struggle for independence and subsequently guided its integration into a united, independent nation.

Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat’s Nadiad town. He died on December 15, 1950.

In his tweet, Rahul Gandhi said: “My tribute to Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary. One of the founding fathers of our nation, a patriot and a great Congressman.”

“His contribution to unifying India and guarding against fundamentalist forces will always inspire us,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi said Sardar Patel was truly India’s Iron Man as he believed in a strong, united India where every Indian is equal.

(IANS)

US court rejects Sikhs For Justice’s case against Sonia Gandhi

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Sonia Gandhi

Jalandhar: The Rights violation case against Sonia Gandhi was laid to rest in a United States court of appeals for the second circuit in New York. A dismissal order had earlier been passed by a district court in June last year and the court of appeal gave its decision on Tuesday.

“Upon due consideration whereof, it is hereby ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the judgment of the district court is affirmed,” stated the August 25 order of United States court of appeals second circuit.

Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) filed a lawsuit in 2013 under ATS and TVPA against Sonia Gandhi for allegedly shielding and protecting Congress party leaders who led death squads to kill people belonging to the Sikh community after the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi.

While Sonia Gandhi’s lawyer Ravi Batra said that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which had filed the case, was making false, reprehensible and defamatory allegations against India’s leaders and now the organization could rehabilitate itself by announcing that it would not seek to appeal this order to the United States Supreme Court, SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said that they would file a petition seeking rehearing ‘en banc’ requesting that all the active judges on the court rehear the case. The petition will be filed with the US Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit to challenge the summary order, Pannun said.

The order of August 25 held that “plaintiffs failed to plausibly allege that defendant (Sonia Gandhi) is liable for the anti-Sikh riots.”

A class action suit was filed in September 2013 by US based rights group SFJ and victims against Sonia Gandhi under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) and Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) for shielding and protecting Congress party leaders who organized genocidal violence against Sikhs in November 1984. However, judge Brian M Cogan of district court of eastern district New York in his order pronounced on June 3, accepted the motion filed by Sonia Gandhi’s counsel seeking dismissal of the case. The appellant court has completely affirmed this order.

(Agencies)

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