Related items

• Cong Mulls Appointing 2 Vice-Prez to Assist Sonia Gandhi as Leaders Seek 'Active, Visible' Leadership
  in National

  

  For the past few days, a handful of Congress leaders have been preparing for the Congress Working Committee meeting.

  It’s to be a departure from recent past and instead of Zoom, it will now be using WebEx for video conferencing the meet to tide over the fear of hacking. The last time Sonia Gandhi met Rajya Sabha MPs, the incident left a bad experience. So this time, the Congress is taking no chances and the ID for the meeting will be given to the participants just before it begins.

  Ironically, the fear of leak or hacking is not from China, Pakistan or even the BJP. It’s from within the party as the Congress faces a crisis of leadership and voices that were silent or reticent till now have started becoming vocal. At such a time, the last thing the top Congress leadership would want is for their internal strife to be made public.

  However, the change in the means of conducting the meeting cannot put a lid on the crisis that the CWC could address. The biggest problem remains that of leadership. Most leaders in private and, some publicly, have complained that Congress has lost its steam; that it cannot fight the Modi juggernaut and the listlessness means soon Congress could be eased out of the national narrative. Apart from many leaving the party, those who stayed behind and are with the Congress often wonder what’s happening.

  Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari and Rajiv Satav are a few who have raised their voice against this.

  The problem before Sonia Gandhi remains the reluctance of Rahul Gandhi to take charge. When recently, a year-old interview of Priyanka Vadra to a book surfaced in which she said she agreed with her brother on a non-Gandhi Congress president, there were alarm bells in the party. The Congress officially made a statement to say the old interview was being used to push an agenda and party workers and leaders accept Rahul Gandhi as their leader.

  At the CWC, it’s quite possible more voices may come up asking for Rahul Gandhi to take charge as it’s clear that Sonia Gandhi wants to hand over the reins. But what if he remains adamant? There is a proposal in place which could be implemented.

  There could be appointment of more than two vice-presidents to assist Sonia Gandhi. This is to address the concern that Congress needs a full-time president. But such an appointment could also ensure that Gandhis remain in control and the party continues to be headed by one of them, in this case Sonia Gandhi. Names which are doing the rounds are of Ghulam Nabi Azad, P Chidambaram and Mallikarjun Kharge, but it’s quite possible that young leaders could be propped up.

  This apart, many new faces could be brought in for key posts and most of them are perceived to be close to Rahul Gandhi. Sushmita Dev and Manickam Tagore are some names doing the rounds.

  It would also be interesting to see whether Sachin Pilot is brought to the centre. While Pilot has made it clear that he sees Rajasthan as his ‘karam bhumi’ and CM Ashok Gehlot doesn’t want to leave the state yet, the Congress leadership could bring in Pilot to buy time till the committee submits its report.

  The caveat for all this is, of course, that the Congress needs to have the urge to solve this turmoil. For now, the restlessness becomes tough to ignore. Some like Jitin Prasada have formed a Brahmin Samaj and this is to capitalise on the 12% Brahmin vote bank which his party doesn’t seem to be concentrating on. Clearly, he wants to ensure that his politics stays alive.

  Few others who don’t want to leave the Congress are looking at ways to stay relevant. But the list of disillusioned leaders is long and growing, and many of these have at one point been influential or important in the scheme of things such as Milind Deora, Veerappa Moily, Anand Sharma, Ashwini Kumar, Salman Khurshid.

  Some chose to leave the party, like Jyotiraditya Scindia, some fought back and continue to do so like Sachin Pilot. But as new leaders are being propped up and Rahul Gandhi has his favourites, many feel left out and yet, want to stay in the party. The CWC brings some hope to them that things could change. But will the Congress and CWC once again shy away from taking a decision?

   

  Fatwa issued against actor Vijay over co…

  16-04-2025

  

  All India Muslim Jamat has issued a fatwa against actor Vijay, urging Muslims to disassociate from him. The AIMJ president cited Vijay's negative portrayal of Muslims in films and the...

  Read more

  'Take up the matter with Saudi urgently…

  16-04-2025

  

  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene with Saudi Arabia following the sudden cancellation of the Private Haj quota. This decision has caused...

  Read more

  Tiger kills boy, 7, at Ranthambore Park

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  4 kids charred in Dalit slum fire

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  SC on Urdu use: Language shouldn't divid…

  16-04-2025

  

  The Supreme Court has emphasized that India's linguistic diversity should be celebrated, not be a cause for division. The court upheld the use of Urdu, alongside Marathi, on a signboard...

  Read more

  No one has licence to loot, Gandhis must…

  16-04-2025

  

  BJP dismissed Congress's vendetta claims after the Gandhis were charged in the National Herald case, asserting that no one is above the law. Ravi Shankar Prasad urged Congress to address...

  Read more

  Not a whiff of crime, it's a hit job by …

  16-04-2025

  

  Congress has denounced the ED's National Herald case as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by the BJP, asserting that Young India, a not-for-profit entity, has not engaged in any financial...

  Read more

  Plea flags Rs 1.7 crore paid to CM daugh…

  16-04-2025

  

  Kerala High Court has issued notices to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, and others concerning alleged financial dealings between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Veena’s firm...

  Read more

  Alliance with BJP only for polls, not fo…

  16-04-2025

  

  Edappadi K Palaniswami clarified that AIADMK's alliance with BJP is solely for the 2026 election, not a commitment to a coalition government. He emphasized respecting each party's autonomy, while BJP's...

  Read more

  How one of India’s biggest jobs scandals…

  16-04-2025

  

  The Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court invalidated the 2016 West Bengal School Selection Commission recruitment process due to widespread manipulation. Approximately 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff appointments were cancelled...

  Read more

  ED quizzes Vadra for 2nd day; he says 'n…

  16-04-2025

  

  Robert Vadra appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for the second day concerning a money laundering probe into a 2008 land deal involving his company and DLF. Accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi...

  Read more

  Supreme Court to government: Will you al…

  16-04-2025

  

  The Supreme Court, during a hearing on petitions challenging Waqf Act changes, acknowledged some provisions as beneficial but sought clarification on others. Concerns were raised regarding 'waqf by user' property...

  Read more

  Mahadev app case: ED searches on EaseMyT…

  16-04-2025

  

  Read more

  NCW panel to probe abuse against women

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  Very disturbing, says CJI on violence

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  Former SC judge Maheshwari appointed 23r…

  16-04-2025

  

  Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the chairman of the 23rd Law Commission by the Central Government. The commission's responsibilities include submitting a report...

  Read more

  Two Reds shot dead in Chhattisgarh, year…

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  'Control' Shah, Didi urges Modi, terms B…

  16-04-2025

  

  West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of orchestrating communal riots in Murshidabad over the new waqf law, alleging the involvement of central agencies and Home Minister Amit Shah. She...

  Read more

  11 militants held in Manipur crackdown o…

  16-04-2025

  

  Manipur's security forces have apprehended 11 members of proscribed militant groups across four districts in the last 48 hours, focusing on factions involved in extortion. Since May 2023, ethnic unrest...

  Read more

  Why was Christian Michel James kept in c…

  16-04-2025

  

  A Delhi court has demanded an explanation from Tihar Jail authorities regarding the co-location of Christian Michel James, an AgustaWestland case suspect, with undertrial Shahnawaz, despite the latter's history of...

  Read more
• Who Will be Next Congress President? Reports of 'Sonia Gandhi Resigning False', Says Randeep Surjewala
  in National

  

  New Delhi, August 23: Congress' national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala dismissed the reports which claimed on Sunday that Sonia Gandhi would step down from her position of party president.

  The seniormost Gandhi family member was appointed at the helm n August last year, after her son Rahul Gandhi had stepped down following the humiliating defeat in 2019 general elections.

  "Reports of Sonia Gandhi resigning from the post of Congress interim president are false," said Surjewala, whose statement is considered as the official word of the party. Congress President Row: Veterans Back Sonia Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot Says Letter of Dissent 'Unbelievable'.
  

  Surjewala's clarification came amid reports claiming that Gandhi has replied to a letter of dissent sent to her by around 23 seniormost party leaders. The dissenters have sought a complete overhaul of the party structure to re-energise the cadres and end the spree of poll defeats. Gandhi, in her reply, reportedly asked them to "get together and elect a new president".

  Update by ANI 

  Who Will be Next Congress President?

  While a section of party old guard including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have led their weight behind Sonia Gandhi, a number of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs have demanded the return of Rahul Gandhi to the helm.

  Sonia, 73, was given a one-year interim role as party chief last year after no one came forth to claim the presidency following her son's exit. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which is scheduled to convene tomorrow for a top-level meeting, will take a final call on the next leader, reports said.

   

   

  Fatwa issued against actor Vijay over co…

  16-04-2025

  

  All India Muslim Jamat has issued a fatwa against actor Vijay, urging Muslims to disassociate from him. The AIMJ president cited Vijay's negative portrayal of Muslims in films and the...

  Read more

  'Take up the matter with Saudi urgently…

  16-04-2025

  

  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene with Saudi Arabia following the sudden cancellation of the Private Haj quota. This decision has caused...

  Read more

  Tiger kills boy, 7, at Ranthambore Park

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  4 kids charred in Dalit slum fire

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  SC on Urdu use: Language shouldn't divid…

  16-04-2025

  

  The Supreme Court has emphasized that India's linguistic diversity should be celebrated, not be a cause for division. The court upheld the use of Urdu, alongside Marathi, on a signboard...

  Read more

  No one has licence to loot, Gandhis must…

  16-04-2025

  

  BJP dismissed Congress's vendetta claims after the Gandhis were charged in the National Herald case, asserting that no one is above the law. Ravi Shankar Prasad urged Congress to address...

  Read more

  Not a whiff of crime, it's a hit job by …

  16-04-2025

  

  Congress has denounced the ED's National Herald case as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by the BJP, asserting that Young India, a not-for-profit entity, has not engaged in any financial...

  Read more

  Plea flags Rs 1.7 crore paid to CM daugh…

  16-04-2025

  

  Kerala High Court has issued notices to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, and others concerning alleged financial dealings between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Veena’s firm...

  Read more

  Alliance with BJP only for polls, not fo…

  16-04-2025

  

  Edappadi K Palaniswami clarified that AIADMK's alliance with BJP is solely for the 2026 election, not a commitment to a coalition government. He emphasized respecting each party's autonomy, while BJP's...

  Read more

  How one of India’s biggest jobs scandals…

  16-04-2025

  

  The Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court invalidated the 2016 West Bengal School Selection Commission recruitment process due to widespread manipulation. Approximately 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff appointments were cancelled...

  Read more

  ED quizzes Vadra for 2nd day; he says 'n…

  16-04-2025

  

  Robert Vadra appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for the second day concerning a money laundering probe into a 2008 land deal involving his company and DLF. Accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi...

  Read more

  Supreme Court to government: Will you al…

  16-04-2025

  

  The Supreme Court, during a hearing on petitions challenging Waqf Act changes, acknowledged some provisions as beneficial but sought clarification on others. Concerns were raised regarding 'waqf by user' property...

  Read more

  Mahadev app case: ED searches on EaseMyT…

  16-04-2025

  

  Read more

  NCW panel to probe abuse against women

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  Very disturbing, says CJI on violence

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  Former SC judge Maheshwari appointed 23r…

  16-04-2025

  

  Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the chairman of the 23rd Law Commission by the Central Government. The commission's responsibilities include submitting a report...

  Read more

  Two Reds shot dead in Chhattisgarh, year…

  16-04-2025

  Read more

  'Control' Shah, Didi urges Modi, terms B…

  16-04-2025

  

  West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of orchestrating communal riots in Murshidabad over the new waqf law, alleging the involvement of central agencies and Home Minister Amit Shah. She...

  Read more

  11 militants held in Manipur crackdown o…

  16-04-2025

  

  Manipur's security forces have apprehended 11 members of proscribed militant groups across four districts in the last 48 hours, focusing on factions involved in extortion. Since May 2023, ethnic unrest...

  Read more

  Why was Christian Michel James kept in c…

  16-04-2025

  

  A Delhi court has demanded an explanation from Tihar Jail authorities regarding the co-location of Christian Michel James, an AgustaWestland case suspect, with undertrial Shahnawaz, despite the latter's history of...

  Read more
• No Pilots For Rafale Jets – Why Is The Indian Air Force Facing An Acute Shortage Of Trained Pilots?
  in International

  

  As India is in the process of overhauling its airforce with the latest Rafale jets and additional MiG-29 and SU-30 MKIs, an RTI (Request To Information) filed by India Today

   reveals that in that last 10 years, 798 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have resigned and 289 of these pilots were given No-objection Certificates (NOC) to fly private airlines.

  New Delhi has been upgrading the military equipment and even purchasing modern combat aircraft to strengthen the IAF. The newly acquired Rafale jets are ready to be inducted in a high profile ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French defense minister Florence Parly at the air force station in Ambala where the first five aircraft have been stationed. 

  However, in 2016 and 2017, IAF saw the worst years when 100 and 114 pilots respectively quit the IAF. In 2015, only 37 pilots had quit before superannuation. With an average of 80 pilots quitting the IAF every year, it could be facing an acute shortage of pilots.On February 1, 2018, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that the IAF had 3,855 pilots against a sanctioned strength of 4,231. There was a shortage of 376 pilots which reflects poorly on the preparedness of the IAF. 

  Of the pilots that quit, more than one-third of them received the NOC to fly private airlines. As per reports, a middle rung pilot earns up to Rs 2 lakh ($2700) in salary per month and can get four times the amount flying with a private airline.Most pilots quit after 20 years of service which makes them eligible for a pension.

  “The IAF way of life is very good and apart from the salary, there are several intangible benefits. But my workload is far less as a private airlines pilot and there’s nothing to complain about the remuneration. As captain, I am responsible for everything after the aircraft door closes and once it opens, my job is over,” said an IAF officer who recently quit service and took up a job in a private airline and didn’t wish to be named.

  HT reported in February this year, that IAF is working on measures to prevent its pilots from leaving the service and joining private airlines that offer better salaries and perquisites. Even though the report didn’t mention any specific measure, it said that they will be made shortly, and could involve cooling-off periods and changes in pension plans.

  

  The RTI also asked about if such changes are being introduced. “Has the Indian Air Force evolved or is working on any policy to stop their pilots from quitting and joining private airlines. If yes, what is that?” In response to the query in the RTI, IAF said that there exists no such plans or policies. 

  Experts have said that it is important for the IAF to retain its pilots. “A pilot gets into operational flying after training for almost 250 to 300 hours in different aircraft. That costs a lot of money. You cannot afford to let trained people go. Other global air forces are also struggling with the same issues,” said Air Marshal KK Nohwar (retd), director-general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

   

   

  Putin praises Elon Musk, compares him to…

  16-04-2025

  

  Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again lauded Elon Musk, comparing him to Soviet space pioneer Sergei Korolev. Putin highlighted Musk's Mars ambitions and innovative spirit during a speech at...

  Read more

  After funding cuts Harvard University ma…

  16-04-2025

  

  Harvard University faces potential loss of foreign student enrollment as the Department of Homeland Security demands compliance with policy changes. This action follows the stripping of federal funding and contracts...

  Read more

  Canada Election 2025: Trump becomes key …

  16-04-2025

  

  In the first French-language debate of the 2025 Canadian election, PM Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre clashed over how to address Donald Trump's aggressive policies. Carney emphasised his ability to...

  Read more

  Accident at a fishing tournament in Alab…

  16-04-2025

  

  A tragic boating accident during a Major League Fishing tournament on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama resulted in the deaths of three individuals. A bass fishing boat collided with a...

  Read more

  ‘Grave provocation’: N Korea on US drill…

  16-04-2025

  

  North Korea threatened action after the US flew B-1B bombers over the Korean Peninsula during joint exercises with South Korea, which Pyongyang views as a provocation. The flyover, coinciding with...

  Read more

  Watch: Donald Trump hugs and comforts mo…

  16-04-2025

  

  President Trump met with Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin, who was murdered by an illegal immigrant. He expressed his support for strict deportation policies. This came as the...

  Read more

  Unhappy BNP meets Yunus over Dec-June el…

  16-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Dhaka, Islamabad to hold 1st foreign off…

  16-04-2025

  

  Bangladesh and Pakistan are poised to resume foreign office consultations in Dhaka on Thursday, marking the first bilateral meeting since 2010. Led by foreign secretaries Md Jashim Uddin and Amna...

  Read more

  Taiwan again detects major Chinese milit…

  16-04-2025

  

  Tensions escalate as Taiwan reports a surge in Chinese military activity, with 34 PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels detected near its territory. In response to Beijing's increasing pressure, Taiwan's...

  Read more

  Watch video: Israeli woman reunites with…

  16-04-2025

  

  In a miraculous turn of events, Rachel Dancyg, an Israeli woman, was reunited with her dog Billie after months of separation following the Hamas attack on October 7th. The Cavalier...

  Read more

  Zoom outage: Service restored after glob…

  16-04-2025

  

  Zoom experienced a significant global outage on Friday, disrupting video meetings, its website, and mobile apps, leaving numerous users unable to connect. The company acknowledged domain name resolution issues and...

  Read more

  Serbian president plans to join Putin's …

  16-04-2025

  

  Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed his attendance at Moscow's Victory Day parade, defying EU pressure. This decision risks jeopardizing Serbia's EU membership aspirations, especially with his pro-Russian stance and refusal...

  Read more

  None spared in Nigeria gun, machete mass…

  16-04-2025

  

  People were hacked to death with machetes. "She told me not to come,"at the hospital, shortly after his brother died in the intensive care unit after being shot and hacked.

  Read more

  ‘These are the criminals Trump wants rem…

  16-04-2025

  

  Patty Morin, the mother of murdered Rachel Morin, made an emotional plea at the White House, urging for border protection following her daughter's death by an illegal immigrant. The appearance...

  Read more

  Abrupt visa termination: Indian student…

  16-04-2025

  

  Four international students from Michigan universities, including one from India, are suing the Department of Homeland Security. They allege their student visas were abruptly terminated without explanation, jeopardizing their studies...

  Read more

  'What is going on with our courts?': Tru…

  16-04-2025

  

  Donald Trump attacked the American judiciary. This followed a judge's decision. The judge stopped his administration's plan. The plan aimed to cancel protections for over half a million migrants. Trump...

  Read more

  Trans women not legally ‘women’ under Eq…

  16-04-2025

  

  The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the term "woman" in the Equality Act 2010 exclusively refers to biological females, impacting single-sex services. This unanimous decision, favoring For Women Scotland...

  Read more

  Pentagon leaks probe: Third top official…

  16-04-2025

  

  Colin Carroll, a senior Pentagon official, has been placed on administrative leave amidst an investigation into information leaks within the Department of Defense. He is the third Pentagon official to...

  Read more

  Flight makes emergency landing due to en…

  16-04-2025

  

  A United Airlines flight, en route from Denver to Edmonton, was compelled to make an emergency return to Denver due to an engine fire shortly after takeoff. Preliminary reports suggest...

  Read more

  In fresh cuts by Musk's DOGE, AmeriCorps…

  16-04-2025

  

  AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers, vital in disaster response and community projects, face early program exits due to operational changes imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The cuts, influenced by...

  Read more
• Turkey Signs Another Contract With Russia For S-400 Missile Defense Systems
  in International

  

  Turkey has again signed a contract with Russia to acquire additional S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Moscow, the Russian news agency TASS reported.

  This would be a second deal between Moscow and Ankara for the S-400 missile systems. Turkey has already received two batteries of the S-400s worth $2.5 billion, a deal which was inked in April 2017.

  Speaking to reporters, the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport chief Alexander Mikheyev said “The contract has been signed”, and stated that the parties shall now discuss the financial terms of the contract.

  He further said that the timeframe of implementing the contract would depend “on our partners’ readiness to finally resolve the procedural issues with the financing of this project”.

  Turkey, being the first NATO member country to have received the S-400 air defense system, has damaged its reputation among NATO members and severely strained ties with Washington.

  Due to the deal, Washington kicked-out Turkey out from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program – which means it won’t be getting any American 5th generation fighters and could instead look at Russian Su-35 jets.Instead of trying to resolve matters with the United States, Erdogan has pushed forward for a second deal for the S-400.

  Past talks between Turkey and the U.S. on the acquisition of the Patriot air defense system had fallen over a large group of issues, from the accessibility of S-400s to Ankara’s disappointment with Washington’s terms and conditions.Turkey has said it will possibly consent to an offer if it incorporates terms for indigenous production and transfer of technology.

  Ankara has more than once emphasized that it was the U.S.’ refusal to sell it Patriots that drove it to search out different vendors, adding that Russia offered a superior deal, including the transfer of technology.  Turkey even proposed setting up a commission to explain any specialized issues, yet the U.S. has so far not reacted to this proposition.According to TASS, the S-400 ‘Triumf’ is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles, including medium-range weapons, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.

   

• Assam: KMSS To Launch Politcal Party, Akhil Gogoi To Be Chief Minister Candidate
  in Election News

  

  Guwahati: Peasant body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on Saturday announced that it will launch a political party to fight the Assam assembly election in 2021 and its jailed leader Akhil Gogoi will be its chief ministerial candidate.

  Addressing a press conference here, the KMSS leadership said the proposed party’s name will be announced by Gogoi once he is released from jail.

  “We have prepared ourselves to form a new political party. It will be a regional party. People from all tribes, castes, communities, religions and languages will be a part of this party,” KMSS president Bhasco De Saikia said.

  The new outfit will be a non-compromising political force and it will not be named after KMSS’s earlier venture Gana Mukti Sangram-Asom.

  “Because of our non-compromising position, Akhil Gogoi is still inside the jail. By October, we hope he will be released. He will announce the name of the party after coming out of jail. The name of the party has been finalised already,” Saikia said. 

  Gogoi is lodged in Guwahati central jail and is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged role in protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) late in 2019. The special NIA court earlier this month rejected his bail plea.

  Asked if Gogoi, who is the adviser of KMSS, will fight the polls, he replied in the affirmative.

  “Yes Akhil Gogoi will fight the polls in 2021. He will be our CM candidate,” Saikia said. “We are at present fighting for Akhil Gogoi’s release. Responding to our appeals, the people of Assam have come forward and contributed large amounts to carry forward the legal battle,” Saikia said.

  Elaborating on the proposed party, he said all intellectual preparation for the new party is ready as is its constitution.

  “The work agenda will be known as Asombasir Jatiya Karmahuchi and it will be the basis of the future modern Assamese society. We will send the constitution and the agenda to all district committees and our sister organisations. Then we will make these public and seek the peoples’ opinion on them,” he said.

  The KMSS leader said the proposed political party will fight against all forms of communal forces and appealed to regional forces to come forward and join hands to defeat the ruling BJP and its allies.

  “Our goal is to create a politically federal, economically self reliant, socially and culturally inclusive, and mentally scientific Assam. The KMSS will remain as an independent organisation like today and the political party will be separate,” Saikia said.

  Asked if KMSS has spoken to opposition parties in the state and All Assam Students’ Union, which too is foraying into politics, Saikia said “We have not talked to Congress or AASU yet. We all have to unite. The need of the hour is to join hands.”

  About the number of constituencies that the new front will contest, Saikia said it is being worked out and will be announced later.

  The KMSS leaders, the AASU and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) have been separately making public statements about forming new regional political parties since the protests against the CAA in December 2019.

  On August 19 student and youth bodies AASU and AJYCP set up an 18-member committee of prominent personalities to suggest the two organisation’s future course of action, a step towards their much-talked about political entry ahead of state Assembly polls.

  Senior journalist and Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, who was supported by opposition parties Congress and AIUDF, too recently floated a new regional entity ‘Anchalik Gana Morcha’ to fight the assembly election slated for March-April in 2021.

  Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had announced that Congress is working on to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ of non-BJP parties, including the AIUDF, Left and AGM, to oust the ruling party in the assembly elections and kept doors open for any new parties.

  The election to the 126-member Assam assembly in 2016 had given a fractured mandate and no party got the absolute majority in the current House. The ruling BJP is in the government with support from the AGP and BPF along with one Independent MLA.