Priyanka Gandhi questions government's move to sell profitable Miniratna pharma company
Almora: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has raised concerns over the government's decision to sell Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL), a profitable public sector unit. Located in Mohan, Almora, the pharmaceutical company was established in 1978 as a joint venture between the Central and State governments and is known for producing Ayurvedic and Unani medicines.
According to reports, IMPCL, a Miniratna company, earned a profit of ₹18 crore last year and is set to provide a ₹6 crore dividend to the government. It supplies medicines across India and exports them internationally as well. The company employs over 500 people, and thousands of small farmers depend on it for the supply of raw materials and produce.
Priyanka Gandhi criticised the move to sell the profitable unit, suggesting that it contradicts the government’s stance on promoting Ayurveda and AYUSH. “What could be the motive behind selling a profit-making pharmaceutical unit, other than to fill the coffers of select friends by handing over the nation’s valuable assets?” she tweeted.
She argued that the decision exposes the hypocrisy in the government's claim of promoting traditional medicine systems and questioned the rationale behind selling a company that benefits small farmers and contributes to the economy.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
