Anand Sharma

BJP insulting nation builders, trying to disprove history: Congress

Congress candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Lok Sabha seat Anand Sharma on Monday accused the BJP of trying to disprove history and insulting the nation builders as he asserted that Manmohan Singh left a strong India and a stout economy in 2014. At an election rally in Churah of Chamba district, he also lashed at the BJP-led Centre for its "step brotherly treatment" towards the hill state during last year's monsoon disaster. All states are given relief package by the Centre from the National Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of a calamity but Himachal Pradesh was deprived of it as the people voted for the Congress in the assembly polls, Sharma claimed. "The BJP is extolling the 10 years the Narendra Modi government as 'Amrit Kaal' but it was 10 years of 'anyay' (injustice), the senior Congress leader said as he called upon people to vote for his party "to bring back the era of justice". Addressing the rally, he said, "Independent India's journey did not commence in May 2014 as

Not constitutionally correct: Cong ahead of Parliament inauguration by PM

He stated that Article 79 makes it "crystal clear" that the Parliament comprises the President of India, the head of the Parliament, and the two houses

Rahul's conviction 'litmus test' for Indian judiciary: Anand Sharma

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi's conviction and disqualification from Lok Sabha is "deeply flawed" in law and hoped it will be corrected as it will be a "litmus test" for the Indian judiciary. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, the senior party spokesperson said though much has been said about the decision of conviction and disqualification of Rahul Gandhi, it "is deeply flawed in law and in the Constitution". "If the same yardstick were to be applied, perhaps the Indian Parliament would have been hollowed out. Most major leaders of political parties would have been out of Parliament for decades. That has not happened," he said. "This will be a litmus test for the Indian judiciary too. I have no doubt that what is wrong will be corrected, a flawed decision in law will be reversed and I say that of my understanding in law and Constitution," Sharma said. Asked about his own occupation of a government accommodation, he said he h

Cong's HP win to have ripple effect on states going to polls in 2023: Anand

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said the Congress' victory in Himachal Pradesh will have resonance and a ripple effect on states where elections are scheduled for next year. He said he was happy that the people of Himachal Pradesh demonstrated "wisdom and maturity" to give the Congress a decisive victory and a stable majority in the state. "Delighted over the victory of Congress in my home state Himachal Pradesh. I thank our people, the voters and people of the state who have demonstrated wisdom and maturity to give Congress a decisive victory and stable majority," he said. "The victory will have resonance and a ripple effect in states that will go to elections next year," Sharma said. Sharma, a member of the G23 group of Congress dissenters, had campaigned for the party in Himachal assembly polls and many candidates, for whom he canvassed, won the election. He, however, later had lamented that the party did not utilise his services ...

Govt must fix accountability: Anand Sharma on 'cough syrups-linked' deaths

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Friday hit out at the Centre over the deaths of children in Gambia allegedly due to the consumption of cough syrups manufactured by an Indian firm, and asked the government to fix accountability. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday warned that four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana's Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation. India's drug regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has already initiated a probe and sought further details from the WHO. In a statement on the issue, former commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia "due to consumption of Cough syrup made by an Indian company Maiden Phamaceuticals has shocked the word". "This is a monumental tragedy that raises serious concerns as conveyed by WHO and also questions which, must be answered. The bland ...

Rajasthan crisis: Three Ashok Gehlot loyalists get show-cause notice

Congress president Sonia Gandhi deputed senior leaders Ambika Soni and Anand Sharma to talk to Gehlot

Cong G-23's Anand Sharma to join Bharat Jodo Yatra from home state Himachal

Prominent G-23 leader in the Congress, Anand Sharma, much to the relief of the party, has expressed solidarity with the Bharat Jodo Yatra and will join the march in Himachal Pradesh

Some G23 leaders meet Ghulam Nabi Azad; discuss future strategy of grouping

Senior Congress leaders and members of G-23 Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Anand Sharma and Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday met Ghulam Nabi Azad at his residence, days after the leader from Jammu and Kashmir resigned from the party after blaming the leadership. Sharma, Hooda and Chavan held discussions at Azad's residence and are learnt to have discussed the future strategy of the G-23. The Congress leaders are learnt to have also discussed the organisational elections, including that of the Congress president, amid reports that Shashi Tharoor, who is a member of the group, is considering contesting the election for the top party post. The G-23 had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi in August 2020 demanding an organisational overhaul and elections at all levels of the party. The G-23 had also been critical of certain decisions of the party leadership. Tuesday's meeting comes days after Azad resigned from the Congress and announced that he will float his own outfit in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of

Anand Sharma raises questions on electoral rolls in CWC; Congress denies

Senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who recently quit the Congress, had said that the election process is a sham

G-23 members working to strengthen Congress, says party leader Anand Sharma

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has said that the G-23 is at the heart of the Congress party and is working to strengthen it

'Cong will put up united face in HP polls, G23 working to strengthen party'

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday said the G23 grouping is working to strengthen the party, which will put up a united face in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls. Sharma said this while addressing reporters here, days after he resigned from the chairmanship of the party's steering committee for the state citing "continuing exclusion and insults". The G23 is a group of dissident senior Congress leaders who have demanded organisational overhaul. Sharma is part of the group. The senior Congress leader told reporters that the Congress must be renewed in those states where it has lost elections. "This is the wish of every Congressman," he said. The Congress will make every possible effort to overcome shortcomings and contest the coming Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh unitedly, he added. Speaking on the G23 grouping within the Congress, Sharma said it is working to make the party stronger. "The G23 is working to make the Congress stronger. Giving suggestions for ma

Congress reaches out to Anand Sharma, sends Rajeev Shukla to pacify

A day after senior Congress leader Anand Sharma resigned from the chairmanship of the party's Steering Committee for Himachal Pradesh, Sonia Gandhi asked Rajeev Shukla to pacify the issue

Congress reaches out to Anand Sharma, sends Rajeev Shukla to resolve issues

After the meeting, he said: "As a state in charge of the party it is my responsibility to meet him as he is devoted to the party... there is no problem and issues will be sorted out."

Anand Sharma quits as chairman of Steering Committee of Himachal Congress

In a jolt to the Congress ahead of assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, its senior leader Anand Sharma on Sunday resigned from the chairmanship of the party's steering committee for the state. Sharma, in a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, is learnt to have said that his self-respect is "non-negotiable" and he has resigned from the post, sources said. His resignation comes soon after another leader of the G23 grouping Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned as chairman of the campaign committee in Jammu and Kashmir a few days ago. Sharma has told the Congress chief that he has been ignored in the consultation process. However, he told Gandhi that he will continue to campaign for the party candidates in the state. The former union minister and deputy leader of the Congress in Rajya Sabha was appointed as chairman of the Steering Committee in Himachal Pradesh on April 26. Both Azad and Sharma are prominent leaders of the G23 grouping which has been critical of the decisions of the par

Left with no choice due to exclusion, insults: Anand Sharma after quitting

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma, who quit as the chief of the party panel for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, on Sunday said that he had no choice but to resign

Will meet Nadda openly if I have to: Congress leader Anand Sharma

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma scotched speculation about his meeting with BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday, saying if he had to, he would do so openly

With eye on 2024 elections, Congress Prez Sonia Gandhi announces task force

Congress President Sonia Gandhi constituted a Political Affairs Group, which will be presided over by her, a Task Force-2024, a Central Planning Group

Sibal, Anand Sharma, Chidambaram in race for RS polls slated next month

The Karnataka Congress is contemplating to field Priyanka for the Rajya Sabha from the state to boost the party ahead of next year's Assembly elections

Voting for Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh to be held on March 31

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly Monday notified the schedule for election to one Rajya Sabha seat as from the state as the term of sitting MP Anand Sharma is ending on April 2

Shocked and disgusted to hear of attack at Sibal's house: Anand Sharma

Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday condemned the attack and protests at Kapil Sibal's residence by the party workers. Sharma urged Sonia Gandhi to take action against the hooligans