The Latest: Top stories of the day
1. CBI arrests Delhi principal secretary and assistant for taking a bribe.
2. At least nine dead after Taliban militants enter Kandahar airport complex.
3. Five police jawans injured in clashes with Naxals in Chhattisgarh.
4. Turkish president’s son denies allegations of trade with Islamic State.
5. 54 killed in clashes between rival Afghan Taliban groups.
The Big Story: Heralding trouble
In hot water with the National Herald case threatening to reflect badly on the Congress party as well as the Gandhi family, the Congress has decided to brazen things out, creating as much political noise in the process.
Sonia Gandhi attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party government of “political vendetta” and using “proxy litigation” to divert attention from “failures” in its performance. The case has been filed by Bharatiya Janata Party-leader Subramanian Swamy who charges Sonia Gandhia and Rahul Gandhi with illegally acquiring property worth Rs 5,000 crore which once belonged to the National Herald newspaper, a publication of the Congress.
In Parliament, the Congress paralysed both houses as its legislators occupied the well and shouted slogans against the Narendra Modi-led government. Both houses saw adjournments throughout the day.
“I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone,” said Sonai Gandhi after the days proceedings. The Congress also put out that both Sonia and Rahul are keen and eager to appear in court and oppose the charges.
Given that the cases are being driven by the judiciary, this is a high risk strategy by the Congress. Already the BJP has denied any charges of vendetta by it and pointed out that the charges were filed in 2013, a year before Narendra Modi took office in Delhi. Nevertheless, the political fallout of this fracas will be that the Goods and Services Tax bill might again be held up, as the Congress party is thinking of holding back its support.
The Big Scroll
How did National Herald come back from the dead to haunt the Congress? One major factor: Subramanium Swamy’s clever use of litigation to bring allegations and rumour into public discussion. However, Sonia Gandhi's combative reaction also shows that she is still in charge of the Congress.
Politicking and policying
1. Rajasthan’s government has filed a first information report against a former Delhi University professor for allegedly insulting Hindu gods.
2. Barred from holding rallies in Uttar Pradesh, Asaduddin Owaisi will instead visit workers at their residences.
3. Mamata Banerjee is cosying up to the Congress leadership in order to preempt an alliance with the Left in West Bengal.
Punditry
1. M Govind Rao, writing in the Indian Express explains that the report of the committee chaired by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian offers a way out of the GST deadlock.
2. Governments need more support in their fight against terror, says RK Raghavan in the Hindu.
3. India must take its Swacch Bharat campaign seriously argues SL Rao in the Telegraph
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1. CBI arrests Delhi principal secretary and assistant for taking a bribe.
2. At least nine dead after Taliban militants enter Kandahar airport complex.
3. Five police jawans injured in clashes with Naxals in Chhattisgarh.
4. Turkish president’s son denies allegations of trade with Islamic State.
5. 54 killed in clashes between rival Afghan Taliban groups.
The Big Story: Heralding trouble
In hot water with the National Herald case threatening to reflect badly on the Congress party as well as the Gandhi family, the Congress has decided to brazen things out, creating as much political noise in the process.
Sonia Gandhi attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party government of “political vendetta” and using “proxy litigation” to divert attention from “failures” in its performance. The case has been filed by Bharatiya Janata Party-leader Subramanian Swamy who charges Sonia Gandhia and Rahul Gandhi with illegally acquiring property worth Rs 5,000 crore which once belonged to the National Herald newspaper, a publication of the Congress.
In Parliament, the Congress paralysed both houses as its legislators occupied the well and shouted slogans against the Narendra Modi-led government. Both houses saw adjournments throughout the day.
“I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone,” said Sonai Gandhi after the days proceedings. The Congress also put out that both Sonia and Rahul are keen and eager to appear in court and oppose the charges.
Given that the cases are being driven by the judiciary, this is a high risk strategy by the Congress. Already the BJP has denied any charges of vendetta by it and pointed out that the charges were filed in 2013, a year before Narendra Modi took office in Delhi. Nevertheless, the political fallout of this fracas will be that the Goods and Services Tax bill might again be held up, as the Congress party is thinking of holding back its support.
The Big Scroll
How did National Herald come back from the dead to haunt the Congress? One major factor: Subramanium Swamy’s clever use of litigation to bring allegations and rumour into public discussion. However, Sonia Gandhi's combative reaction also shows that she is still in charge of the Congress.
Politicking and policying
1. Rajasthan’s government has filed a first information report against a former Delhi University professor for allegedly insulting Hindu gods.
2. Barred from holding rallies in Uttar Pradesh, Asaduddin Owaisi will instead visit workers at their residences.
3. Mamata Banerjee is cosying up to the Congress leadership in order to preempt an alliance with the Left in West Bengal.
Punditry
1. M Govind Rao, writing in the Indian Express explains that the report of the committee chaired by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian offers a way out of the GST deadlock.
2. Governments need more support in their fight against terror, says RK Raghavan in the Hindu.
3. India must take its Swacch Bharat campaign seriously argues SL Rao in the Telegraph
