Bigger role for Rahul Gandhi soon, Digvijaya Singh hints

July 16, 2012

rahu

New Delhi, July 16: Rahul Gandhi seems to have finally agreed to play a larger role in Congress affairs in what can resolve the uncertainty over the party's leadership in the lead-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

This was indicated by Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh who said he was positive that Rahul would soon graduate in organizational affairs. "Hopefully, Rahul will take a more proactive role by September," he told TOI, adding that he was talking about Rahul moving away from his current charge of youth outfits to the mainstream Congress.

Congress sources confirmed that Rahul had agreed to expand his involvement and welcomed the development, saying it would relieve them of the anxiety about who could be leading them into the next elections.

There are indications that Rahul may remain engaged with the organization, though there is no clarity yet on whether it would mean creation of a new post in the organization.

What is clear is that even if Rahul does not become the top boss in AICC, his stepping up to the plate, and away from his current minor charge of youth outfits, would automatically project him for the prime ministership.

Rahul's reluctance has dragged the leadership issue despite the fact that there is little doubt in any mind about who the heir-apparent is. His insistence to be allowed to move at his own pace had compounded the leadership conundrum in the party because a countdown of sorts has already been sounded for the Lok Sabha polls.

While a third term for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is ruled out, Sonia Gandhi's refusal to join the government and, lately, health issues have been nudging party managers to clinch the leadership issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Clarity on Congress's mascot leading them into the elections would be welcome considering NDA is grappling with leadership issues which seem far more complicated to resolve in view of the competing claims from saffron GenNext.

Talking to TOI, Singh reasoned that September would be the ideal window for Rahul's move up since the vice-president's election and the monsoon session of Parliament would be over by then. "It (the change) would be best before the winter session," he said.

The Congress general secretary said Rahul had complete backing, in fact urging, of the party ranks. "The majority of Congress workers are waiting for a more proactive role from Rahul in Congress politics," he said.

The indications are likely to heighten anticipation in Congress ranks in the coming days, given that the clamour for Rahul to take centre stage is already growing. Law minister Salman Khurshid's recent remarks that the "party was in waiting time" till Rahul took up a proactive leadership role was privately endorsed by many across party ranks.

The young leader's move to the next level is set to shake up the Congress in style and substance even as it will defy the perception after the rout in UP polls that he would retreat into a shell and further delay his projection in a bigger role.

The transition of sorts in Congress will come when the time has changed from favourable to challenging over the last three years since Rahul was hailed as a youth icon after the Lok Sabha triumph.

While BJP-led NDA can be expected to change its target from Sonia to Rahul in a bid to unsettle him, Digvijay Singh said it did not matter. "Any politician who fears being targeted is not worth being in politics. And Rahul Gandhi is not such a person," he said.

All eyes will then be on how Rahul reconciles the central compulsions of Congress with its regional imperatives to revive the organization.

The obvious challenge will be UP. Since the rout this year, Congress has moved closer to rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party to bail out UPA, a move which seems to undercut Rahul's insistence that "going it alone" was the way forward in the heartland.

West Bengal will be another challenge given Trinamool Congress's eagerness to break away from Congress, while he will be tested severely in coming assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.


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Agencies
August 2,2020

New Delhi, Aug 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus infection and has been admitted to a hospital. 

Shah took to social media today to inform about his infection. “I have tested positive but my health is fine," he said, adding that he has been hospitalised on the assistance of doctors. 

The Union Home Minister also appealed to those who came into close contact with him in the last few days to get themselves tested for COVID-19.

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News Network
February 2,2020

Beijing, Feb 2: India on Sunday temporarily suspended e-visa facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in China in view of the virulent coronavirus that has killed more than 300 people, infected 14,562 others and spread to 25 countries, including India, the US and the UK.

“Due to certain current developments, travel to India on e-visas stands temporarily suspended with immediate effect," the Indian Embassy announced.

“This applies to holders of Chinese passports and applicants of other nationalities residing in the People's Republic of China. Holders of already issued e-visas may note that these are no longer valid," the announcement said.

“All those who have a compelling reason to visit India may contact the Embassy of India in Beijing or the Indian consulates in Shanghai or Guangzhou, as well as the Indian Visa Application Centres in these cities," it said.

On Sunday, India airlifted a second batch of 323 stranded Indians and seven Maldivian citizens from coronavirus-hit Wuhan city, taking the total number of people evacuated to 654.

Air India's jumbo B747 made two flights to Wuhan city - the ground zero of the coronavirus epidemic. In the first flight on early Saturday, 324 Indians were evacuated and on Sunday another 323 Indians and seven Maldivian citizens were flown back.

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dinah
 - 
Friday, 14 Feb 2020

It's not surprising for countries to restrict. it just feels wrong to treat them that way specially those who are not really infected. It could really hurt their feelings.

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News Network
July 23,2020

New Delhi, Jul 23: With the highest single-day spike of 45,720 cases, India's coronavirus count crossed 12 lakh mark on Thursday.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that 1,129 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.

The total number of coronavirus cases stand at 12,38,635 including 4,26,167 active cases, 7,82,606 cured/discharged/migrated. The cumulative toll has reached 29,861 deaths.

Maharashtra has reported 3,37,607 cases, highest in the country followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,86,492 cases. Delhi coronavirus count has reached 1,26,323 cases.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1,50,75,369 samples were tested till July 22 out of which 3,50,823 samples were tested yesterday.

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