Ahead of Parliament session, senior Cong leaders meet at Sonia's residence
New Delhi (PTI): Top Congress leaders on Sunday evening met at the residence of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and held discussions on the party's strategy for the Winter session of Parliament starting Monday.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were present in the meeting.
At the meeting, the leaders decided to raise the demand for a discussion on the electoral reforms which would include Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said opposition leaders would meet at the office of Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, at 10 am on Monday to chalk out their joint strategy in Parliament.
He said an all-party meeting was held and then a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha was also held.
After considering the views of the entire Opposition, the parliamentary affairs minister has indicated that a discussion on electoral reforms can be held, he said.
"The entire Opposition wants that there should be a discussion on electoral reforms, as such discussions have happened earlier too. This is our topmost priority," Tiwari said.
"We have a clear stand. Considering the Opposition's concerns, an indication was given by the parliamentary affairs minister that they would consider holding a discussion on electoral reforms," he said.
The Congress leader said the issue of national security needs to be discussed as the Red Fort is not safe any longer with terrorists reaching there. Besides, issues of price rise, unemployment, tinkering with federal structure, and step-motherly treatment with opposition-ruled states are also there and need to be discussed, he said.
"We also want a discussion on air pollution in the national capital," he said.
"We will meet tomorrow at 10 am in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and will decide our future course of action and chalk out our strategy," Tiwari said.
The Congress' meeting was also attended by senior leaders including Jairam Ramesh, Manish Tewari, and Manickam Tagore.
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VHP warns of statewide stir in Karnataka against move to ease cattle transport law
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The VHP on Saturday demanded the immediate withdrawal of a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, accusing the state government of weakening a law that has deterred illegal cattle transport.
The organisation's Go Raksha Wing, Karnataka South, has also announced district-level protests on December 8.
According to officials, the existing law mandates a bank guarantee for securing the release of vehicles seized for alleged illegal cattle transportation.
On December 4, the state Cabinet proposed an amendment enabling the release of such vehicles on an indemnity bond instead.
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Addressing reporters in Udupi, VHP leader and Prantha Goraksha Pramukh Sunil K R, said the government's move amounted to "sympathy for cattle lifters" and claimed that it was part of broader actions "targeting Hindus".
He argued that the law in its current form is stringent and has played a crucial role in reducing incidents of illegal cattle transport and theft.
Under the Act, vehicles involved in offences can be surrendered and, upon conviction, permanently seized by authorities. "Diluting these provisions will embolden offenders," Sunil said.
The VHP leader warned that easing the process of vehicle release would not only encourage violators but also result in rising cruelty against cattle.
Sunil further claimed that the strict enforcement of the 2020 law had brought down cases of cattle-related offences significantly. Rolling back these provisions, he said, could reverse those gains and would lead to an increase in illegal transport.
He reiterated that the government must reconsider its decision and preserve the integrity of the existing law.
