Constitution a shield to protect people's rights: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the Constitution is every Indian's greatest weapon and shield as his party asserted that its resolve to protect the Constitution is as "strong as a rock".
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who unfurled the national flag on India's 77th Republic Day, said the need of the hour is to stand firm in defending the principles and spirit of our Constitution.
"Justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are the enduring values bequeathed to us by our founding fathers, and it is our sacred duty to protect them. We must be prepared to make every necessary sacrifice to safeguard the Constitution," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.
"This will be our true tribute to the sacrifices of our ancestors," he said. "Once again, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on this glorious occasion of Republic Day."
Gandhi also extended greetings to all citizens on Republic Day.
"Our Constitution is the greatest weapon of every Indian, it is our voice, the shield protecting our rights. Our republic stands on this strong foundation, and it will be strengthened only through equality and harmony," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.
"Protecting the Constitution is protecting the Indian Republi , it is the truest tribute to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. Jai Hind! Jai Samvidhan!" said the Leader of Opposition who attended the Republic Day parade at the Kartavya Path.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also greeted citizens on Republic Day.
"Today, our Constitution came into effect, guaranteeing every Indian the values of liberty, equality, justice, and fraternity. Our Constitution is the shield that protects all 140 crore Indians. Our resolve to protect it is as strong as a rock. Long live the Constitution! Jai Hind!" she said in a post in Hindi on X.
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Tharoor declines to comment on discussions with CPI(M), leaders dismiss move
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that he has seen reports claiming that he had held discussions with persons associated with the CPI(M) in Dubai, but declined to comment on the matter.
While the ruling CPI (M) dismissed questions about any discussion on Tharoor joining the party as mere speculation, the Congress said he is a senior leader, any issues he had would be resolved and denied he was quitting the grand old organisation.
Tharoor, who is currently attending a literature festival in Dubai, was approached by reporters seeking his response to the reports on Sunday.
He said he saw the reports during his flight to Dubai and that it would not be appropriate to comment on such matters while being in a foreign country.
Speculation about the Thiruvananthapuram MP possibly switching to another political party surfaced following reports that he was upset over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi not adequately acknowledging him at a recent event in Kochi and over alleged repeated attempts by party leaders in the state to sideline him.
Reacting to the developments, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Monday dismissed questions about any discussion on Tharoor joining the party as mere speculation, saying such reports had no relevance.
"Tharoor continues to be a prominent leader of the Congress. He follows a different approach of regularly praising the BJP Prime Minister. In such a situation, I do not think rumours of him joining the CPI(M) are relevant," Govindan said.
When asked whether there would be any obstacle to accepting Tharoor if he decided to switch to the CPI(M), Govindan said the party followed a common rule of accepting individuals, groups or parties who were willing to oppose communal forces in national politics and approve of the development policies of the Left Front in the state.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, said he was unaware that Tharoor had caused any problem for the Congress.
"You give various reports and come to us for a response. What can I say about it," the senior Congress leader asked.
He said Tharoor was a senior party leader and that any issues, if at all, would be resolved.
"“If he has any complaint, the national leadership will examine it and we will bring it to their notice," he said.
UDF convener Adoor Prakash said Tharoor was a member of the Congress Working Committee and very much a party man.
He said it was wrong to project that Tharoor was leaving the Congress.
