UPA alliance to defeat communal forces: Saleem Ahmed
Secular parties and like minded parties have held a high command level meeting to discuss about keeping communal forces away from the power. Our aim is to stop Bjp from regaining power at the centre and we will succeed in our task.
Secretary of All India Congress Committee Mangaluru based Saleem Ahmed visited Mangaluru recently. Saleem Ahmed plunged into active politics while he was a student in Bengaluru. He had served as the National president of Congress student wing NSUI, General secretary of Congress youth wing and chief director of Nehru youth association of Union youth service and sports department. He was also elected as the member of legislative council for two terms and served as chief whip as well. Presently he is the party in charge of Telangana.
He spoke about the preparation of congress for the upcoming 2019 general election with Varthabharati.
Q. How is congress preparing for the upcoming general election?
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The process of creating political strategy has begun under the leadership of AICC president Rahul Gandhi. He has instructed to build the party from root level, organise the party from booth level and develop the party according to the ideologies of congress. We will inform people about the achievements of congress government. Various committees have been formed.
Q. Young voters had supported BJP in the last general election. what plans you have to to attract them?
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In the last election BJP and Narendra Modi had made many promises to the young voters. The main one of which as creating two crore jobs every year. Believing these promises the youth had voted for bjp. But forget about 2 crore jobs bjp has even failed to create 4 lakh jobs in a year. They had promised to bring back black money, eradicate corruption and take the country to a new height through development. But they have failed in fulfilling all these promises. For the last four years Pm Modi is misleading the people through his rhetorics. Congress will form the government in the centre. Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Minister. BJP is involved in many scandals. They are not ready to speak about Rafale deal. They have failed to answer the questions. People have lost hope on them. People will support congress again in the next election. That is why we have made alliance with like minded and secular regional parties.
Q. On what issue congress will fight this election?
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In last election BJP had grabbed power by misleading the people. Earlier UPA government had introduced several good projects. BJP government has implemented these projects with different names. They have not done any good work on their own. Some organisations are trying to harm the communal harmony of the country. BJP government is not trying to stop them. Congress has been trying to protect the interest of all sections of the society. It will continue its work. We have given a solid secular government in the past and we promise to do our best in the future. We will go to the people with all these issues and request them to vote for congress.
Q. Congress had experienced set back in the last state assembly election. On coastal region also BJP emerged strong. Your opinion on this?
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BJP had used some incidents that took place in coastal Karnataka during election. BJP had misled people about these incidents and managed to bag the votes. Congress through its pro people programs has introduced many several thousand crore rupees projects. But it was not publicised much. Other less important issues and incidents got more publicity than developmental works. This was the reason for our setback in the election.
Q. How will you manage the challenge of election compatibility and problem of alliance leadership in national level?
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Secular parties and like minded parties have held a high command level meeting to discuss about keeping communal forces away from the power. Our aim is to stop BJP from regaining power at the centre and we will succeed in our task.
Q. There is a complaint that Congress always gives priority to senior leaders. How will you develop young leadership in the party?
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Congress has always given priority to young leaders. More importantly, after Rahul Gandhi became the president youth have given more importance in the party and they are given opportunities to manage the party wherever we have power. At the same time senior leaders are also given equal importance. We seek their guidance and advise. seniors and juniors must walk together.
Q. Do you have plans to contest for next election?
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Last time I had contested from Haveri. This time there is a plan to contest from either Haveri or Bengaluru central. Final decision yet to be taken. Whatever high command decides I will stick to it.
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Smriti Mandhana named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Star batter Smriti Mandhana, who played a pivotal role in India's historic 2025 Women's World Cup triumph, was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 at a glittering function here on Monday.
Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the Emerging Player of the Year award, for her historic FIDE Women's World Cup triumph at just 20.
Preethi Pal was named the Para-Sportswoman of the Year, for winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field, while Anjali Bhagwat was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her pioneering career as India's first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage.
Mandhana, who is currently touring Australia with the Indian team for multi-format bilateral assignments, said in a video message: "Thank you BBC for giving me the awardfor Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women's cricket, especiallytowards the end we had a World Cup and I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches.".
At 29, the left-handed batter is already among the game's greats, with the second-highest number of centuries in women's One Day Internationals and ranking third in total runsscored among current players worldwide.
Hailing from Sangli city in Maharashtra, the affable Mandhana was inspired by her father and brother, both of whom played cricket at the district level.
In September last year, she made a 50-ball hundred against Australia – the fastest 50 over international ton (men and women) by an Indian in the format, breaking Virat Kohli's record.
The award winners were decided by a distinguished grand jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George.
Praising the athletes' achievements CEO of BBC News, Jonathan Munro said: "Congratulations to this year's winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.".
Additionally, the ceremony also celebrated a wide spectrum of talent and impact, recognizing star performers and changemakers for redefining the landscape of Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team: for their historic World Cup victory.
• Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team for the Blind: for their inspiring World Cup victory.
• Indian Women's Kabaddi Team: for their smashing victory in World Cup.
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BBC Changemakers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team: for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport.
• Rajbir Kaur: Indian field hockey player and former captain of the women’s national team.
• Savita Punia: Indian field hockey player and current member of the national team.
• Paani Devi: recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport.
