Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge felt dizzy while addressing a public rally on Sunday in the Jasrota belt of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. He is now stable and doctors are attending to him, party leaders said.

Kharge was paying tribute to a head constable who was killed in an ongoing operation with terrorists in Kathua. Two other police personnel have been injured in the incident and one terrorist has been killed.

“He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues helped him into a chair,” Congress general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir told PTI. He added that the Congress president is stable.

“I am 83-year-old, but I am not going to die till PM Modi is removed from power,” Kharge said.  

Kharge had flown to Jasrota to address a rally to garner support for his party candidates in the assembly polls.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress vice president Ravindra Sharma said Kharge felt dizzy and was taken to a room, where doctors were called for a check-up. They will advise whether he can attend the second rally or not, he said.

In a post on X, Kharge said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Jammu and Kashmir and shedding fake tears for the future of the youth. “The truth is that in the last 10 years, the youth of the entire country has been pushed into darkness for which Modiji himself is responsible,” he added.

The Congress chief said that the unemployment figures have just come out and the highest unemployment in 45 years is the result of PM Modi.

“Modi and Shah are not thinking of providing employment but only giving speeches, taking photographs and cutting ribbons,” he slammed.

He said 65 per cent of the posts in government departments in Jammu and Kashmir are vacant. The jobs in J&K are being given to outsiders on a contractual and daily wages basis, he added. “I have received information that even in AIIMS Jammu, people from Jammu did not get jobs,” Kharge said.

“You must have heard how many lies Modiji told after coming to Jammu and Kashmir. How much abuses he gave to Congress, what kind of language he used. This shows his nervousness because he can clearly see defeat,” Kharge said.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asserted on Sunday that true equality and justice requires more women in politics, urging women who are passionate about creating real change to join the ‘Shakti Abhiyan’ which aims to create an equal space for women’s interests in politics.

“A year ago, we launched the ‘Indira Fellowship’ with a mission to amplify women’s voices in politics. Today, this initiative has grown into a powerful movement for women’s leadership,” Gandhi said in a social media post on X.

“True equality and justice requires more women in politics. ‘Aadhi Abadi, Poora Haq’ embodies our unwavering commitment to this cause,” the Congress leader said.

“I urge all women who are passionate about creating real change to join the ‘Shakti Abhiyan’ and become active participants in women-centric politics. By getting involved, you will contribute to building robust grassroots organisations and driving meaningful change. Join us and register today at http:haktiabhiyan.in,” he said.

“Together, we can create change, from the villages to the nation as a whole,” he added.

The ‘Shakti Abhiyan’, an initiative of the Indian Youth Congress, aims to create an equal space for ‘women’s interests’ in politics and decision-making, driven by the representation ‘of women by women’ at all levels of governance — local bodies, legislative assemblies and Parliament, PTI reported.

The Indira Fellowship is an initiative in honour of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to amplify the voices of women in the political arena and drive a much-needed transformation in our society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several projects in Maharashtra, worth over Rs 11,200 crore, via video conferencing.

During the virtual event, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of these developments in boosting urban infrastructure and enhancing the ease of living in the state. His scheduled visit to Pune on September 26 was canceled due to heavy rainfall in the city.

PM Modi expressed satisfaction over the rapid progress in Pune and its surroundings, particularly with the inauguration of the Pune Metro section between District Court and Swargate.

He also laid the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj extension, a significant part of Pune Metro’s Phase-1, while emphasising that these projects will reduce travel time and improve public transport in the city.

Announcing the opening of Solapur Airport, which will improve connectivity for both tourists and businesses, Modi stressed that the upgraded facilities at the airport will enhance convenience for devotees of Bhagwan Vitthal and boost the region’s economy by attracting business and tourism.

The PM also highlighted the dedication of the Bidkin Industrial Area, part of the Auric City under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. PM Modi praised the double-engine government in Maharashtra, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, for reviving the project, which had previously faced delays. The industrial area, spread across 8,000 acres, is expected to bring significant investments and create numerous jobs, further contributing to Maharashtra’s economic growth.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a memorial at Bhidewada in honor of Savitribai Phule, who opened India’s first girls’ school. The memorial will include a skill development center and other facilities aimed at empowering women and preserving Phule’s legacy. Modi underscored the pivotal role women have played in shaping Indian society, particularly in overcoming barriers to education and empowerment.

In his speech, PM Modi touched upon the importance of modernization balanced with India’s cultural values, emphasizing that Maharashtra needs to aim for big goals to drive progress. He also reiterated the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, referring to initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, which have helped reduce school dropout rates for girls.