Cong demands BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's apology for remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (PTI): Hitting out at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for drawing linkages between a foreign investor and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the Congress on Thursday said "agents of Adani" have been given only one task of defaming and abusing those who expose the conglomerate's "mega corruption".
The opposition party has called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to ensure that Dubey takes back his remarks and apologises.
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned twice on Thursday following certain remarks made by Dubey, who drew some linkages between a foreign investor and a section of opposition leaders and claimed an international conspiracy was afoot to derail India's success story under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress MPs protested on the steps of the Makar Dwar in Parliament and raised slogans against use of "derogatory language" against Rahul Gandhi.
Congress general secretary, in-charge organisation K C Venugopal, said, "Most unfortunate incident happened in Lok Sabha when the entire opposition was raising the issue of travel ban on the leader of opposition to Sambhal, the Speaker allowed Dubey to speak in Zero Hour and he used the most defamatory words against the LoP, Wayanad MP and the entire Congress party."
"This type of derogatory remarks have never been used. We are totally pained. Before that the Speaker was talking about customs and conventions of the Lok Sabha and was giving advice on how to deal with matters and how to come to the House. The speaker also allowed Dubey to speak," Venugopal said.
"From the day Rahul Gandhi stood against the corruption of Adani, agents of Adani started to abuse Rahul Gandhi. Come what may, Rahul Gandhi would keep raising these allegations," the Congress leader said.
In a post on X, Venugopal said "agents of Adani" have been given only one task - to defame and abuse those who expose their "mega corruption".
"We do not tolerate the objectionable words used against LoP Rahul Gandhi ji by adani agent Nishikant Dubey on the floor of the House," he said.
Congres' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said whenever Rahul Gandhi speaks against Adani, the "sleeper cells of Adani" in Parliament get activated.
"We have spoken with the Speaker and it is our demand that the person should take back his words, apologise and the Speaker takes strong step on it," Gogoi said.
Dubey’s remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi and seeking to link him to a US-based multi-billionaire, triggered uproar in the Lok Sabha, leading to adjournment of proceedings.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Dubey claimed that the Congress-led opposition had tried to derail Parliament proceedings based on reports in a French publication which had alleged links to the billionaire investor.
He alleged the US-based investor, investigative media platform Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the Congress were trying to derail India’s success story under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
Dubey said the Congress had sought to derail Parliament on various issues published by OCCRP, including the Pegasus spying row, questioning the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 developed in India and the Hindenburg reports.
Dubey said several opposition leaders raised the issues flagged in media reports, many of which were published on the eve of Parliament sessions in India.
Congress members were up on their feet protesting against Dubey as he tried to put questions to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra.
Earlier, in an unusual protest, leaders of several INDIA bloc parties wore black jackets with stickers reading "Modi Adani Ek Hai" and "Adani Safe Hai" on them and raised slogans in Parliament premises to demand a joint parliamentary probe into the Adani issue.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who put the sticker on his trademark white T-shirt, told reporters outside Parliament that Prime Minister Modi cannot get an investigation done against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani as it would amount to getting a probe done against himself.
Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi, and lawmakers of several other opposition parties like RJD and the Left participated in the protest.
Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi demanded that a discussion on the indictment of Adani in a US court on charges of bribery and fraud must take place in Parliament and Prime Minister Modi must speak in the House on the issue.
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Air India resorts to cost-cutting ways amid 'tough times'; layoffs not anticipated
New Delhi/Mumbai (PTI): Hit hard by Pakistan airspace closure and Iran war, Air India has resorted to cost-cutting measures, including holding back annual increments for staff and asking them to cut discretionary spending as well as non-critical expenditures, warning of "tough times".
On Friday, Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) Campbell Wilson told the staff it is going to be a "very, very difficult year" if things don't improve on the Middle East front.
A day after the loss-making airline's board discussed various cost-saving steps, Wilson, along with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sanjay Sharma and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Ravindra Kumar GP, addressed the employees during a townhall on Friday where the emphasis on the need to keep a close watch on costs.
With higher jet fuel prices due to the West Asia conflict and airspace curbs, the loss-making airline's expenses have spiralled in recent times and against this backdrop, Sharma also told staffers that FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Calling for a relentless focus on costs in these tough times, Wilson urged employees to suspend discretionary spending, renegotiate rates where feasible, and defer non-critical expenditures.
"There must be a laser-sharp focus on eliminating wastage and leakages," he said.
Stressing the need to tighten the belt for a while, Wilson sounded optimistic that travel demand would rebound and the industry would continue on its upward path.
CHRO Ravindra Kumar told staff that the airline will proceed with variable pay for the last financial year and continue with planned promotions while noting that annual increments will be deferred by at least one quarter.
"We don't anticipate layoffs," he said.
At the airline's board meeting on Thursday, various cost-saving steps, including likely furloughs, were discussed. The Tata Group-owned airline has around 24,000 employees.
Generally, furlough refers to sending staff on unpaid leaves by companies during a tough financial situation.
During the townhall, CFO Sanjay Sharma said while strong revenue growth and fleet expansion drove financial momentum through FY25, FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Air India has seen around 40 per cent CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) in revenue between 2022 and 2025, he added.
The airline was acquired by the Tata Group from the government in January 2022.
The Air India CEO mentioned the external challenges being facing the aviation industry as a whole, including the continued closure of Pakistan airspace that is expected to persist for the foreseeable future and geopolitical conflicts leading to disruptions and airspace closures across West Asia.
Wilson, who is set to step down later this year, also flagged a sharp depreciation of the rupee and a 2.5-3 times increase in jet fuel prices, and added that these factors have adversely affected travel sentiment and consumer confidence, as per the sources.
If the Strait of Hormuz opens, oil prices fall and consumer as well as business confidence come back, there is a decent chance of a solid recovery, Wilson said, adding that unless those circumstances happen, it was going to be "a very, very difficult year".
"I feel somewhat responsible that we ended up with probably the biggest surprise of the year in the external environment which was a full-scale war in our neighbouring region in the Gulf. That has had a huge impact on airspace," he said.
For Air India, Wilson said the situation is compounded by the fact that the airline cannot fly over the neighbouring country and has to take a much longer routing for any west-bound destination.
"Every airline is reporting that they are under some sort of financial pressure as a result of higher fuel prices and economic uncertainty. So, it is unfortunately not a great environment to be running an airline," the Air India CEO said.
The Air India Group -- Air India and Air India Express -- is projected to have incurred more than Rs 22,000 crore loss in the financial year ended March 2026.
At the townhall, Wilson also highlighted various initiatives, including completion of the retrofit of its legacy narrow-body aircraft and rapid network optimisation to redeploy capacity more efficiently.
