Rahul and Sonia not always on the same page, Digvijaya Singh says

February 26, 2015

New Delhi, Feb 26: In the wake of Rahul going on leave this week, AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh attested to the theory that he was angry with the old guard resisting his ideas, specially his attempt at democratization of the party.

Rahul Sonia"Some people believe they will lose the clout they enjoy today if party workers are empowered in local bodies, PCCs and elections (within) are held democratically. Leaders who are powerful in Delhi but not at the local level feel threatened," Singh said.

Singh added that Sonia and Rahul shared an excellent bonding but acknowledged that they were not always on the same page because of a generational difference, adding that seniors had managed to influence Sonia against the son.

"Sonia is very democratic. She holds consultations with senior leaders. And they then have an opportunity to influence her," he said.

The argument for doing away with dual power centres echoed what has been spoken of in hushed tones since the days of the UPA-2 against the diarchy, though the reference then was about the split in political and government powers between Sonia and then PM Manmohan Singh that had hobbled the government.

Singh backed the party vice-president, saying there was more "disillusionment with Rahul within the party in Delhi than in other parts of the country".

Singh reiterated that he found the timing of Rahul's leave for introspection not right but supported his idea of taking a break to think through past events and future strategy.

Another senior leader from MP, Kamal Nath has demanded that Rahul Gandhi be given the full command of the party. He has argued that Sonia Gandhi's continuing presence had resulted in dual centres of power, which was a source of confusion.

The expressions in favour of Rahul from senior leaders from Madhya Pradesh are likely to influence the narrative within amid the murmurs over the Gandhi scion's sudden leave.

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News Network
June 4,2020

New Delhi, Jun 4: India's Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, following which the defence ministry carried out a massive contact-tracing exercise, official sources said.

Kumar's condition is stable and he is currently under home-quarantine, they said.

At least 35 officials working at the ministry's headquarters in South Block in the Raisina Hills have been sent on home quarantine after reports of Kumar testing positive for the infection emerged on Wednesday morning.

There was no official comment on Kumar's health condition. The defence ministry spokesperson refused to comment on the issue.

It is learnt that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did not attend office as part of a precautionary measure.

The offices of the defence minister, the defence secretary, the Army Chief and the Navy Chief are on the first floor of the South Block.

The sources said all laid down protocols on contact-tracing and quarantining of people are being scrupulously followed.

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News Network
February 16,2020

Washington, Feb 16: India and the United States share "unshakeable" ties, said US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS), Alice Wells, on Sunday, adding that the upcoming visit of President Donald Trump will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

"The U.S. and #India enjoy a close partnership that grows stronger day by day. Together, we are breaking records. For example, we welcomed a record number of Indian exchange students to the US last year and hope to receive even more this year," said Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in a tweet attributed to Alice Wells.

"The ties between our countries are unshakeable, and we look forward to an even warmer relationship as @narendramodi hosts @POTUS later this month," it added.

Trump will pay a two-day state visit to India from February 24 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"India is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region and plays an increasingly prominent role on the world's stage. The U.S. looks forward to partnering with #India at every step of the way, " Alice Wells further said.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Trump is expected to attend an event at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on the lines of the ''Howdy Modi'' function that was addressed by the US President and PM Modi in Houston in September last year. Trump is slated to pay a two-day visit to India from February 24.

During the visit, Trump, who will be accompanied by First Lady Melania, will attend official engagements in New Delhi and Ahmedabad, and interact with a wide cross-section of the Indian society, the MEA said in a statement.

The announcement of Trump's first official visit to India was earlier made by the White House on Monday, which, in its statement, said that the US President and Modi had agreed during a recent phone conversation that the trip will "further strengthen the United States-India strategic partnership and highlight the strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people".

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News Network
January 1,2020

New Delhi, Jan 1: Newly-appointed Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said the armed forces stay away from politics and work as per the directives of the government of the day, remarks that come amid allegations that the forces were being politicised.

Gen Rawat also said that his focus as CDS will be to integrate the efforts of the three services and to work as a team.

"We keep ourselves away from politics. We act according to the directives of the government of the day," he said.

Gen Rawat said his focus will be to ensure best and optimal use of resources allocated to the three services.

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