Results for: Congress

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) has sparked controversy by labeling some of his party’s right-wing members as ‘scumbags’ and ‘Klan’ members for voting against foreign aid to U.S. allies. He specifically called out Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) for alleged sex offenses and Rep. Bob Good (R-Virginia) as a ‘known neo-Nazi.’ These comments were made in response to the House Freedom Caucus’s opposition to military and civilian aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, citing a need for stricter border security measures before approving such assistance. The aid packages ultimately passed with bipartisan support, but Gonzales’s attack on his fellow Republicans has drawn both criticism and support from within the party.

With the scrutiny of nominations for the Lok Sabha elections and five Assembly bypolls in Gujarat concluding, a clear picture has emerged ahead of the third phase of polling on May 7. According to the final list released by the Election Commission, 266 candidates are in the fray for the Lok Sabha elections, while 24 candidates will contest the Assembly bypolls. The contest for Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha seat has the highest number of candidates at 18, while Bardoli, a seat reserved for Scheduled Tribes, has the least with only three candidates.

BSP leader Mayawati accused the BJP, SP, and Congress of prioritizing personal利益 over the welfare of society. She stated that the BSP remains committed to serving all sections of society, including the marginalized. Mayawati criticized the BJP’s policies for exacerbating poverty, unemployment, and migration. She also accused the BJP of oppressing minorities and Dalits, and of creating a climate of fear under the guise of Hindutva.

Disability rights advocates are optimistic after the Congress and CPI(M) pledged to include disability as a specific ground for discrimination in Article 15 of the Indian Constitution. Currently, Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, but it does not explicitly mention disability. The proposed amendment would bring India in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognizes that individuals with disabilities should enjoy their rights on an equal basis with others.

The Congress’s press conference to introduce its Lok Sabha candidates in Delhi was met with protests from a section of party workers. The protesters objected to the inclusion of Udit Raj, a former BJP MP, and Kanhaiya Kumar, a former CPI leader, as outsiders. Congress leaders, including Delhi chief Arvinder Singh Lovely, defended the party’s choices and highlighted the demand for Congress tickets.

The Congress-led UDF faces a close contest in four south Kerala constituencies, including Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam. The UDF aims to retain its dominance while countering LDF and BJP surges. The LDF-NDA campaigns are less burdened by incumbency, and the election has taken on a cultural war dimension between secular-liberal forces and Hindu nationalist views.

The US House of Representatives has finally approved long-delayed military aid to Ukraine after months of bitter wrangling. The bill, which also includes funding for Israel and Taiwan, is expected to pass the Senate within days and be signed by President Joe Biden.

The aid package comes after intense lobbying from the Ukrainian government, which has been struggling to defend itself against Russian invaders. The aid will provide much-needed ammunition and air defense interceptors, and it is expected to make a significant difference on the battlefield.

However, many challenges remain. Some of the larger kits that Ukraine needs will take longer to build and ship, and Russia is expected to make a big push next month. Additionally, the American aid cannot resolve Ukraine’s other military constraint: manpower.

Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami, the head of Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Mutt, has withdrawn from the race for the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat. Swami’s decision to contest against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi had created a stir. However, Swami has now clarified that he has withdrawn on the orders of his guru, Sri Fakira Siddarama Swami. Swami has stated that he will continue to fight for the rights of his community against Joshi. Both the Congress and BJP have approached Swami for support, but he has not yet decided which party to back.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has strongly condemned Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s statement that an INDIA alliance government would repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and three new criminal laws. Shah asserted that these laws empower the people, and the BJP government remains committed to protecting their rights and providing citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Congress for questioning the Hindu deities Ram and Krishna. He said that these parties should be sent on a “five-year leave” by voting them out of power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The CM also said that it is the turn of the Brajbhoomi region in Uttar Pradesh to shine, after Ayodhya and Kashi.