HC: Hire Malda teachers from 09 DPSC panel

Third Eye: Kerala poll a boiling cauldron, Rahul Gandhi criticises Bachchan family again and PM Modi's Malda rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once more taken aim at Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, suggesting they are perceived as serious figures compared to his own 'non-serious' political image. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Malda, expressed deep emotion at the enthusiastic reception, musing that he might have been a son of Bengal in a past life. In Kerala, scorching heat and humidity are adding to the challenges of election campaigning, turning the poll season into a grueling ordeal for candidates and campaigners alike.

Congress was biased against Hindus for vote bank, today they're exposed: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria

Congress was biased against Hindus for vote bank, today they're exposed: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria In a fresh attack against Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed on Friday that the grand old party was iased against Hindus for vote bank. The first right on the resources of our country lies with the poor of this country irrespective of religion. The way Congress was biased against the Hindus of India for their vote bank, today they have been exposed, PM Modi said while addressing a public rally in Bihar's Araria. The Prime Minister attacked the INDIA bloc over the Supreme Court decision rejecting the plea for 100 per cent VVPAT verification of EVM votes and said every leader of the opposition grouping has committed the sin of creating doubts in the minds of people about Electronic Voting Machine and heir dreams have been shattered. They did not let people exercise their right to vote for decades. Booth capturing was very common. They did not even let the people step out to vote. Now when the poor and honest voters have the strength of EVM, they are trying all they can to get rid of the EVM. Today, the Supreme Court has given a strong verdict saying that the old system of ballot paper voting will not come back, he said. He said opposition parties should apologise to the people for creating doubts about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Today, the whole world praises India for its democracy, for its election process, and its use of technology in the election process and these people for their own self-interest were defaming the EVMs. These people have continuously tried to betray democracy, he said. PM Modi said the verdict of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is to make India strong economically and people of Bihar have an important role to play. Today, there are two main streams in politics. One stream is BJP-led NDA which wants to strengthen the people of India. On the other side is the INDI alliance which wants to fill their own pockets by seizing the property of the people, he said. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a public rally in Bihar's Munger in which he attacked the opposition coalition accusing it of appeasement. There is an NDA model on one side and there is an INDI Alliance model on the other. INDI alliance model is appeasement (tushtikaran) and NDA's model is satisfaction (santushtikaran). We have to ensure that no one is left behind. We gave toilets, gas, electricity connections, and water facilities to our mothers and sisters. We gave free ration and free medical treatment, PM Modi said in Munger. We never asked anyone about the religion or caste of the beneficiaries...anyone who is eligible will get the benefits. This is true secularism and true social justice, he added. The Prime Minister said that the Congress party has set its eyes on the wealth of people and wants to conduct an x-ray, adding that it will seize more than half of the properties inherited by the people. The INDI alliance is using all its might for appeasement. The 'Shehzada' of Congress has said something which will bring a problem for everyone. He has said that a survey would be conducted for every family. The families have small properties and savings, women have some jewellery. The 'Stree Dhan' is considered sacred. Congress, which looted the country with corruption, has now set its eyes on your properties, PM Modi said. Congress wants to impose an inheritance tax. They say they will conduct an x-ray of every family. Today, you are able to pass on your properties to your children. But, Congress is planning... the guru of Shehzada (veiled jibe at Sam Pitroda) has said that they will seize more than half of your property. Now, two out of four-room houses, five acres out of 10-acre land, you will have to give to the government. The INDI alliance has come up with this dangerous plan, he added. The Prime Minister also addressed a public meeting in West Bengal's Malda today, where he attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress and its ally Congress. He said the ruling TMC and the Congress, which are partners in the INDIA bloc but are contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha separately in the state, are competing with each other in their 'appeasement' politics and attempts to woo a 'certain' community. The Congress wants to grab your properties and the TMC hasn't spoken a single word against it. They are competing with each other for appeasement and attempts to win over a certain community or vote bank. While the TMC government has worked to grant permanent residency to infiltrators from Bangladesh, the Congress is talking about redistributing your assets among a certain vote bank, PM Modi added. The only glue that holds the TMC and the Congress together is appeasement. These parties can go to any lengths to advance their appeasement politics and reverse any decision taken in the national interest, he added. Amid a verbal assault from PM Modi over its alleged wealth survey and redistribution pitch, the Congress has clarified that neither did it make any promise in its manifesto nor did Rahul Gandhi make any such assurance to voters. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his party was in favour of a comprehensive socio-economic caste census. Senior party colleague and Lok Sabha candidate, Shashi Tharoor, too, waded into the matter, saying there was no mention of wealth redistribution in the Congress manifesto, adding that it was a desperate attempt by the BJP to divert public attention from the burning bread-and-butter issues affecting the people. Nowhere does it (manifesto) talk about wealth redistribution. Nowhere does it say anything about taking anybody's gold and snatching the mangalsutra of women. These are preposterous claims by the BJP and show their desperation. They know that they are losing these elections and will fling muck at us as much as they can, Tharoor said. PM Modi wrapped up the day's electioneering with a mega roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly. The day witnessed the voting in 88 constituencies across 13 states/UTs in the second phase today. According to the Election Commission, the overall turnout was registered at around 60.9 per cent. The voting was held in 13 seats in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu & Kashmir. The first phase of voting in 102 constituencies across 21 states/UTs were held on April 19. The third phase of the seven-phase parliamentary elections will be held on May 7 and the final phase will be on June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

LS polls 2024: Kodagu records over 70% voter turnout

MADIKERI: Smooth polling was recorded across Kodagu and the district recorded a voter turnout of 70.58% at 5pm. Voters from all sections of the society enthusiastically took part in the festival of democracy and cast their votes. The district had special polling booths even as foresters guarded the booths located in wildlife conflict zones. The minor glitches in EVMs were sorted out during the mock voting process held in all polling booths from 6 am to 7 am. From nearly 6.30 am, voters started to queue outside their respective polling stations with much enthusiasm to practice their duty. A total of 23 special polling booths including Sakhi and Model booths were set up across the district. At Maldare, Nagarahole, Hebbale, Malambi, Heruru and CB Halli, tribal themed polling stations were set up to woo the increased population of tribes. The tribes in large groups participated in the electoral process enthusiastically. The Sakhi polling stations were decked up in polling centers that had increased women voters even as Kodagu ADC Veena BN opted to vote from one of the Sakhi polling booths in Madikeri. Model polling centers with improved facilities also wooed the voters. However, the officers on election duty at the interior village of Vanachal were made to suffer for some time due to the unavailability of drinking water. Nevertheless, the voters of the center helped the officers and arranged for a drinking water facility. In Wildlife conflict zones including regions across Siddapura, Kushalnagar and Virajpet, a Range Forest Officer alongside a Rapid Response Team equipped with weapons were deployed to ensure the safety of the voters. Armed Forces from Gujarat guarded the naxal sensitive booths across the district including at Karike and Sampaje areas. A tragic incident was, however, reported at a polling station in B Shettigeri of South Kodagu. Manohar (58), a traditional drummer who played the chande instrument, died of a heart attack outside the polling station. Sources confirmed that he waited in the queue and cast his vote. However, he collapsed outside the polling center after he suffered a heart attack and died. Doctor saves woman who suffered cardiac arrest while voting in Bengaluru Outside a polling centre in Madikeri, the officials forcefully shut down shops that were located within 200 meters from the St Michael School polling station. However, DC Venkat Raja intervened and withdrew the closing down order. He, however, cautioned the shopkeepers not to allow campaigning from political parties at the shops. Venkat Raja, SP K Ramarajan and CEO Varnit Negi cast their votes at the taluk office in Madikeri and later visited the Raja Seat tourist spot to urge residents to go vote. While most of the tourist centers were open in the district, the Dubare Camp was shut for tourist visits as this was turned into a polling station for the tribal voters.

Centres fund blocking claims false and imaginary, says Derek OBrien

Centres fund blocking claims false and imaginary, says Derek OBrien Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Friday slammed the BJP for withholding funds for West Bengal and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making false claims in his speeches. In a post on X hours after Modi addressed a rally in West Bengal's Malda, O'Brien shared infographics countering the claims made by the prime minister in his speeches, though it did not mention any particular speech. ''One of the easiest things to do! Fact Check a speech made by PM Narendra Modi...His six false claims. My six fact checks,'' he said. Countering the claim that the BJP is working for development of West Bengal, O'Brien said, ''BJP has withheld funds worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore under various heads for Bengal. Not paid wages to 59 lakh MNREGA workers for two years. Not released funds for 11 lakh Awas Yojana beneficiaries.'' According to the West Bengal government, the central funds due for the state includes Rs 9,330 crore under the PMAY, Rs 6,900 crore under MGNREGA, Rs 830 crore under the National Health Mission, Rs 770 crore under PM Gram Sadak Yojana, Rs 350 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission and Rs 175 crore for the Mid Day Meal among other schemes. The total dues, including GST compensation, devolution, performance grant and others, is over Rs 1 lakh crore, according to the state government. Countering the claim of employment generation, O'Brien said, ''Between October and December 2023, the unemployment rate among those in the 20-24 age group touched 45 per cent. India's youth account for over 80 per cent of the unemployed workforce.'' One of the points in the infographic countered the claim that the West Bengal government is not allowing Ayushman Bharat to be implemented in the state. ''Under Ayushman Bharat 40 per cent of the funds have to be borne by the states. Bengal has a better health insurance scheme, Swasthya Sathi. Rs 5 lakh cover, entire amount borne by state. Completely paperless, cashless. Parents of both spouses covered. Free treatment for all in Govt hospitals,'' he said. On the Sandeshkhali issue, the TMC leader said the West Bengal Police arrested the accused in 72 hours, while the BJP took no action against its MP who sexually assaulted women wrestlers. He also highlighted the Bilkis Bano case and mentioned the incidents of Hathras and Unnao in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. On the CAA, O'Brien said, ''The Home Minister, Amit Shah while explaining the 'chronology' stated that CAA will be implemented with NRC which will have the power to selectively exclude citizens.'' Speaking at an election rally in West Bengal's Malda on Friday, Prime Minister Modi lambasted the TMC over the cancellation of around 26,000 jobs following a high court order and asserted that the youth of West Bengal have suffered due to the ''cut-and-commission'' culture of the party. He said the BJP government at the Centre is providing employment to youth in a transparent manner and mentioned Start Up India, Mudra Yojana, Kaushal Vikas Abhiyan as schemes empowering the youth. Modi accused the state government of stalling central schemes like Ayushman Bharat. He also mentioned the Sandeshkhali incident, accusing the TMC of protecting the main accused Sheikh Shahjahan.

'Either I was born in Bengal in last birth or...': PM Modi gets high decibel welcome in Malda

Either I was born in Bengal in last birth or...: PM Modi responds to enthusiasm, love of people during Malda rally

Expressing his gratitude for the enthusiasm and love of people during his rally in Malda in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said it appears that either he was born in Bengal in his previous birth or will be born to a mother in Bengal in his next birth.

Over 600 Tripura Tribal Voters Denied Franchise Due to Inaccessible Polling Booths

Over 600 Tripura Tribal Voters Denied Franchise Due to Inaccessible Polling Booths More than 600 voters of a remote tribal village in Dhalai district, part of Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency, abstained from voting on Friday due to the unrepaired condition of a 7-km village road, an election official said. The villagers, numbering around 900, have been persistently demanding repairs for months, emphasising the road's critical importance to their community, the official added. ''As per schedule, the polling team reached Sadai Mohan Para polling station under Raima Valley Assembly constituency in Tripura East Lok Sabha seat,'' the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Gandacherra (Raima Valley), Arindam Das, told PTI over the phone. The villagers are standing outside the polling booth but not entering it to cast their votes as they are protesting against government apathy, the official said. ''We are hopeful the villagers will join the festival of democracy, and the administration will look into their demands seriously'', he said. The villagers have also complained about the drinking water problem, Das said, adding that after getting the report, a team of officials rushed to Sadai Mohan Para to persuade the voters to exercise their democratic rights. ''I heard voters of two polling booths, one at Maldapara (Sadai Moha Para) in Dhalai district and another at Ampi in Gumati district, are not going to cast their votes as their demand for road and water supply has not been addressed. Officials have gone there to persuade the villagers to cast their vote in the elections,'' state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath told the media. ''Apart from two incidents, the polling was moderate and peaceful in all the booths so far. The CPI(M) has failed to send polling agents to the booths. It seems it is fleeing the battleground,'' Nath added.

Electrifying, thats the only word, says PM Modi after holding roadshow in Malda

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Appeasement The Biggest Magnet Keeping Congress, Trinamool Together: PM Modi In Malda

Addressing a rally in West Bengal's Malda Uttar, PM Narendra Modi yet again attacked the Congress over its government's Muslim reservation decision in Karnataka.

Modi rakes up Bengal school jobs row in Malda poll rally, claims youth paying the price

Modi slams TMC over school jobs scam, says Bengal's youth paying the price

PM Modi slams Congress and TMC for opposing CAA to maintain appeasement policy for vote bank

Malda: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress and Trinamool Congress of indulging in appeasement policy to satisfy their vote banks and opposing implementation of CAA. CAA is meant for granting Indian citizenship to the refugees, who arrived India after facing persecution in foreign countries on religion ground, Modi iterated. []

Competing for appeasement, vote bank: PM Modi blasts TMC, Cong in Malda

Competing for appeasement, vote bank: PM Modi blasts TMC, Cong in Malda Tearing into the ruling Trinamool Congress and the erstwhile Left Front government in the state for putting the brakes on development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said they recked the greatness, global image and the dignity of Bengal under their rule. Twisting the knife into the ruling TMC, which is under the spotlight again over alleged irregularities in appointments for teaching posts after the Calcutta High Court recently annulled over 25,753 such recruitments in the state, PM Modi said only 'scams' were flourishing in Bengal under the Mamata government. Addressing a massive rally in Malda district, which is home to majority Muslim voters, PM Modi said, There was a time when Bengal was the engine of the country's development and progress. Be it social reforms, scientific advancements, as well as philosophical and spiritual thinking and awakening, Bengal led the way. However, the Left Front and the present TMC regime robbed Bengal of its greatness on the global stage and lowered its dignity and prestige in the eyes of the world. Only scams worth thousands of crores are flourishing in Bengal under TMC rule. On the Calcutta High Order cancelling all appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff made by the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) panel, PM Modi said the TMC played with the future of Bengal's youth. Layng into the TMC over the verdict, which it has challenged in the Supreme Court, he said, Not a brick is laid in Bengal without money changing hands. Corruption has become synonymous with the state. They (TMC) did not even spare farmers. They played with the future of the state's youth and have now rendered 26,000 families jobless. They are facing the burden of unpaid loans that they took to pay the TMC in exchange for these jobs. He said the ruling TMC and the Congress, which are partners in the INDIA bloc but are contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha separately in the state, are competing with each other in their 'appeasement' politics and attempts to woo a 'certain' community. The Congress wants to grab your properties and the TMC hasn't spoken a single word against it. They are competing with each other for appeasement and attempts to win over a certain community or vote bank. While the TMC government has worked to grant permanent residency to infiltrators from Bangladesh, the Congress is talking about redistributing your assets among a certain vote bank, PM Modi added. The only glue that holds the TMC and the Congress together is appeasement. These parties can go to any lengths to advance their appeasement politics and reverse any decision taken in the national interest, he added. Also accusing the TMC of reserving silence on the Congress' alleged advocacy of a wealth survey, PM Modi said, The INDIA bloc wants to do an X-ray on your wealth. The Congress' Shehzada (Rahul Gandhi) will do the X-ray and grab whatever land, gold, assets, and wealth that you hold. The Congress will snatch all your valuables and possessions away and give them to their preferred vote bank. The TMC is silent on this. They are competing for appeasement, it seems. The Congress will seize 55 per cent of your properties and assets and redistribute them to their favourite vote bank. Amid a verbal assault from PM Modi over its alleged wealth survey and redistribution pitch, the Congress has clarified that neither did it make any promise in its manifesto nor did Rahul Gandhi make any such assurance to voters. Amid the political uproar around the wealth survey claim, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his party was in favour of a comprehensive socio-economic caste census. Senior party colleague and Lok Sabha candidate, Shashi Tharoor, too, waded into the matter, saying there was no mention of wealth redistribution in the Congress manifesto, adding that it was a desperate attempt by the BJP to divert public attention from the burning bread-and-butter issues affecting the people. Nowhere does it (manifesto) talk about wealth redistribution. Nowhere does it say anything about taking anybody's gold and snatching the mangalsutra of women. These are preposterous claims by the BJP and show their desperation. They know that they are losing these elections and will fling muck at us as much as they can, Tharoor said. (ANI)

PM Modi promises to set up food processing industry in Malda

PM Modi promises to set up food processing industry in Malda

As PM heads to Malda, Congress raises issues of erosion, cattle smuggling and unfinished airport

NEW DELHI: Why did the prime minister do nothing to prevent river erosion in Malda and what happened to the Malda airport, the Congress asked on Friday as Narendra Modi heads to the West Bengal district for campaigning. Posting a series of questions on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also raised the issue of cattle smuggling in the area. : 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? : 1. Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 26, 2024 The prime minister is scheduled to address a poll rally in Malda on Friday. Questions for PM as he visits Malda in West Bengal: Why has the PM done nothing to prevent river erosion in Malda? What about Malda airport? What has the PM done to halt the illegal smuggling of cattle, Ramesh asked in a post on X. He said thousands of families in Malda district suffer due to their land being eroded by the Ganga and Fulahar rivers. BJP MLA from Englishbazar town Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhary had written to the prime minister in 2023 to seek an appointment to apprise him about the problem, he said. She highlighted the fact that affected residents are mostly from the Scheduled Castes or Other Backward Classes, and requested Rs 10,000 crore to conduct anti-erosion works, Ramesh added. Most of the district lies in the region of the Farakka Barrage, operated by the Central government and is therefore the responsibility of the Modi Sarkar, he said. Ten years after coming to power, and despite generous on-paper allocations to Namami Gange, why has the Modi Sarkar not made a single intervention to protect Malda's Scheduled Caste and OBC families from the rampant problem of river erosion, he asked. Ramesh also alleged that the Modi government had neglected the Malda airport for almost 10 years. The state government had already built a runway by the time the PM came to power in 2014. However, flight services are yet to start. Airports would increase business and trade opportunities - especially for perishable goods like Malda's famous mangoes - and improve access to medical services in the district, he said. The BJP had assured the people of Malda that they would provide small aircraft services, and Airports Authority of India officials visited the site multiple times but the airport still remains closed, Ramesh claimed. The runway, he contended, is being used by people from surrounding neighbourhoods for their morning walk. Locals fear the airport will eventually fall into disrepair because of the Modi government's apathy, he said. What has the Prime Minister done in the last ten years to halt the illegal smuggling of cattle into Bangladesh, Ramesh said using the hashtag #ChuppiTodoPradhanMantriji. Noting that cattle smuggling across the Bangladesh border has emerged as a key issue in recent years, one often raked up by the PM himself, the Congress general secretary alleged that Modi fails to mention that cattle smuggling is only a reality because of the failure of the BJP administrations at the Centre and various states. At the national level, the BSF and the Customs Department are responsible for aiding and abetting the smuggling mafia. At the state level, the origin of most of the cattle is BJP-ruled states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. State police and administration turning a blind eye to smuggling of cattle out of these states is the root cause of the issue, he claimed.

Modi condemns TMC's school jobs scam, asserts detrimental impact on Bengal's youth

Modi condemns TMC's school jobs scam, asserts detrimental impact on Bengal's youth Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the TMC over the cancellation of around 26,000 jobs following a high court, stating that the youths of West Bengal have suffered due to the ''cut-and-commission'' culture of the party, which is now ''synonymous with scams''. Addressing an election rally in Malda, the PM highlighted that the youths, who had taken loans to pay bribes to TMC leaders, are burdened by this situation. ''The TMC indulges in scams for which the people of the state have to suffer. The party has been playing with the future of the youths of Bengal,'' he said. ''The teacher recruitment scam snatched the livelihood of around 26,000 families,'' he said. Earlier this week, the Calcutta High Court declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as ''null and void,'' ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. ''Under TMC rule, only one thing exists - scams totalling thousands of crores. The culprit is TMC, but the entire state is forced to pay for its deception,'' he said. Hitting out at the Congress and the TMC for spreading canards about CAA, Modi said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act ''is about granting citizenship and not snatching it.'' ''There is a competition of appeasement going on between these two parties. The Congress wants to grab your property, and the TMC is not uttering even a single word against this. The state government is working to settle Bangladeshi infiltrators in Bengal, and the Congress is talking about distributing your wealth among those,'' he said.

TMC rule synonymous with scams, people have to pay 'cut money' for everything in Bengal: PM Modi at Malda rally.

TMC rule synonymous with scams, people have to pay 'cut money' for everything in Bengal: PM Modi at Malda rally. TMC rule synonymous with scams, people have to pay 'cut money' for everything in Bengal: PM Modi at Malda rally.

Congress, TMC decimated in first phase of LS polls, similar fate awaits them in round two: PM Modi in West Bengal's Malda.

Congress, TMC decimated in first phase of LS polls, similar fate awaits them in round two: PM Modi in West Bengal's Malda. Congress, TMC decimated in first phase of LS polls, similar fate awaits them in round two: PM Modi in West Bengal's Malda.

Didi: I Dont Interfere in Departmental Hiring; TMC Govt Moves SC Against HC Order

Kolkata: As the Trinamul Congress government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court's judgment canceling the jobs of 25,753 West Bengal school education department employees over corruption in their recruitment, chief minister Mamata Banerjee tried to distance herself the monumental scam under her rule. During the day, the School Service Commission (SSC), which recruited the candidates including teaching and non-teaching staff in 2016, filed a special leave petition at the SC against the order of the HC division bench. SSC chairman Siddhartha Majumdar said, There have been allegations against 5000 candidates of illegally getting jobs. But why would nearly 26,000 candidates lose jobs for that? The CM later raised the issue at a Lok Sabha Election campaign rally in Burdwan East in support of Bolpur TMC candidate Asit Mal. She claimed, It is the lookout of a concerned department how it recruits employees. I do not interfere in it. But nearly 26000 employees were terminated from their jobs. They were asked to return their salaries with interest. I felt bad about it. Ms Banerjee alleged, I'm asking those BJP leaders, who are snatching jobs like this, whether they would be able to return the salaries of their entire government service if they were told similarly. Where will these 26000 people go? Will the schools in Bengal go for closure? Won't teachers' recruitment happen further? She added, I still have 10 lakh government jobs to offer. But the court is stalling them if any appeal is filed. It is a big pilgrimage for the BJP. If BJP files a PIL, it gets what it asks for. But if others pray for justice, door is closed for them. Meanwhile the National Commission for Women has condemned a controversial remark by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee against Malda South BJP candidate Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury and sought a report from state DGP within four days.

Mamata Banerjee cant dare to touch CAA: Amit Shah

Malda: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) claiming that neither she nor the Congress can dare to touch the CAA. While addressing a rally at Karandighi in the Raiganj constituency, Shah slammed the TMC Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

'Minority Factor': In Bengal, 6 Lok Sabha Seats to Witness Tough Fight Among INDIA Bloc Allies

In case of a successful seat-sharing pact with the TMC in West Bengal, the INDIA bloc could have been in pole position in six seats Murshidabad, Malda North, Malda South, Raiganj, Jangipur and Baharampur

Mamata opposing granting Indian citizenship to refugees : Shah

Malda, Apr 23 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of opposing granting Indian citizenship to the refugees Hindu, Buddhists, Christians and Sikhs now settled here after arriving from neighbouring Bangladesh. Addressing a gathering after completing a massive roadshow in favour of BJP... The post Mamata opposing granting Indian citizenship to refugees : Shah first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Shah holds roadshow in West Bengals Malda

Malda: Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Tuesday held a roadshow in West Bengals Malda, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the district. The roadshow started around 1 pm in the Malda South constituency, from Head Post office More to the Rabindra statue. Shah, standing atop a decorated lorry Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Maldaha Uttar Constituency of West Bengal Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of Voting, Result, Candidates List, Main Parties, Schedule

'Opposition trying to save dynasties, BJP fulfils its promises': Nadda

MUMBAI: BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday launched an attack on the opposition parties, saying they were trying hard to save their dynastic politics. Be it the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) or Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT), the opposition parties are now trying hard to save their dynastic politics, Nadda said, addressing a rally in Maharashtras Buldhana district. Nadda claimed the BJP provided a stable government in the last 10 years and crucial issues like the practice of instant triple talaq and the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya were resolved under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. We also provided hundreds of thousands of homes to the homeless people and increased the reach of various government schemes, offering a comfortable life to the rural people, he said. The BJP-led government also came up with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that now offers Indian citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Parsis and Christians (from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have come to India), Nadda said. After Modi came to power, politics of the country changed and became more accountable to the people. In a way, it has become more responsible, the BJP chief said. Polling in the Buldhana and seven other Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held on April 26. Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Malda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that no one can stop implementation of the CAA in West Bengal. Mamata didi says she will not allow CAA in her state. Why is she trying to hoodwink the people of West Bengal? Singh asked. He said the CAA is not meant to take away anyones citizenship, but is a law for granting Indian citizenship to people displaced from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on religious grounds. The defence minister said that India is treated with respect under the Narendra Modi-led government, unlike under previous dispensations. When we say something in an international forum, it is being listened to with respect, Singh said, adding that Modis pledge is to turn India into a developed country by 2047.

Mamata Banerjee spreading lies over CAAno power can stop it: Rajnath Singh in Malda

The News Mill

No one can stop implementation of CAA in West Bengal: Rajnath

No one can stop implementation of CAA in West Bengal: Rajnath Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that the BJP delivers on its promises, and maintained that no one can stop implementation of the CAA in West Bengal. He said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 is not meant to take away anyone's citizenship, but is a law for granting Indian citizenship to people displaced from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on religious grounds. ''The Congress, Trinamool Congress or the Left parties make promises during elections that are not fulfilled, but the BJP delivers on its promises,'' he said, addressing a rally here in support of BJP candidate from Malda Uttar constituency, Khagen Murmu. He asserted that no one can stop the implementation of CAA in West Bengal, along with the rest of India. ''Mamata didi says she will not allow CAA in her state. Why is she trying to hoodwink the people of West Bengal,'' Singh said. The Centre had in March implemented the CAA, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. Singh said that India is treated with respect under the Narendra Modi-led government, unlike under previous dispensations. ''When we say something in an international forum, it is listened to with respect,'' he said, adding that Modis pledge is to turn India into a developed country by 2047. Singh said promises like abolishing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have been fulfilled, and that there are indications of the coming into being of a Ram Rajya. The defence minister said the BJP government at the Centre has also delivered on its promise of abolishing triple talaq. ''We can not only bring to book terrorists inside our territory, but if anyone tries to attack our unity and pride from outside, we can dare to go beyond our borders to teach them a lesson; this is our strength,'' Singh said. Slamming the TMC, he alleged that only extortionists, criminals and the corrupt have flourished in Bengal after the party came to power. The senior BJP leader also accused the state government of denying people benefits of central welfare projects.

Extortionists, criminals and corrupt flourished under TMC rule: Rajnath Singh in Malda

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Meat thrown in UP village temple; 4 booked

Ballia: Four people here have been booked in connection with an incidence of meat being found inside a temple here, Police said on Sunday. Sikanderpur Police Station SHO Dinesh Pathak said a piece of meat was found in the Hanuman temple in the Maldah Chatti area on Saturday afternoon. When templegoers spotted the meat, they Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Bengal's political landscape witnesses rise of dynasties this LS polls

Bengal's political landscape witnesses rise of dynasties this LS polls Dynastic politics has been a prominent feature of Indian democracy, but its increased presence in Bengal this Lok Sabha election marks a significant departure from the state's tradition of cultivating leaders from grassroots politics. Out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, 13 have candidates from political dynasties. This represents a significant increase compared to previous elections, where political dynasts were limited to just three seats. Traditionally known for its vibrant student politics, Bengal is experiencing a notable shift as influential political families are gaining prominence. ''This is a new trend or an evolution of Bengal politics from class-based politics to dynasty politics. Never in the polls have so many candidates come from political families,'' political scientist at Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Maidul Islam, told PTI. He said in Bengal where politics is dictated by the charisma of mass leaders, party symbols and issues, ''it remains to be seen how people accept these political dynasties.'' The TMC has fielded five, the Congress four, and the two parties, the BJP and the CPI (M), which used to decry dynasty politics, also have two candidates each. According to TMC, BJP, and Congress leaders, several factors contribute to the rise of political dynasties in Bengal. According to them, family members are valued for their loyalty and trustworthiness, making them reliable allies. ''The success of established family names in politics is attributed to two main factors - name recognition and networking, which make it easier for them to garner electoral support,'' a senior TMC leader said. TMC national general secretary and two-time MP from Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, tops the chart of political dynasty contesting the polls. He is seeking re-election from the seat. BJPs candidate from Kanthi Lok Sabha seat, Soumendu Adhikari, comes from the powerful Adhikari family of East Midnapore, with his father Sisir Adhikari being a three-term MP from the seat, and his brother Suvendu Adhikari is the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly. In Malda South seat, the Congress has passed on the representation mantle from an indisposed Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, Congress patriarch ABA Ghani Khan Choudhurys brother who won the seat without a break from the 2006 bypolls, to his son Isha Khan Choudhury, a former Congress MLA. CPI(M)s South Kolkata candidate Saria Shah Halim, is also from a political dynasty, as her father-in-law, Hashim Abdul Halim, was the longest-serving speaker of West Bengal assembly, and her husband, Fuad Halim, is a CPI(M) state committee member. ''If a son of a doctor aspires to be a doctor, a son of an advocate aspires to be a lawyer, then what is wrong in children or relatives of politicians following similar footsteps? It becomes problematic only when eligibility criteria are compromised, leading to a concentration of power,'' TMC leader Santanu Sen told PTI. The TMC has fielded its sitting MP from Uluberia Sajda Ahmed, wife of former TMC MP Sultan Ahmed; it has repeated its Jaynagar candidate Pratima Mandal, the daughter of former party MP Gobinda Chandra Naskar. From the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat, the party has fielded former cricketer Kirti Azad, a former BJP MP from Bihar, who is the son of former Bihar Chief Minister Bhagwat Jha Azad. The Bengal Congress has fielded its veteran leader Nepal Mahato from Purulia, son of former MP Debendra Mahato, and also Mortaza Hossain, grandson of former minister Abdus Sattar, from Jangipur seat. ''It is not just because of my family; I too have been an MLA here and served the people for the last 15 years,'' Congress candidate from Raiganj Ali Imran Ramz, son of veteran Forward Bloc leader Mohammed Ramzan Ali and nephew of former minister in the Left Front government Hafiz Alam Sairani, said. BJP candidate from Bongaon seat, Shantanu Thakur, who comes from Matua-Thakurbari family, with his father Manjul Krishna Thakur being a former minister in TMC cabinet and his aunt Mamata Bala Thakur being a TMC MP. CPI(M)s Serampore candidate Dipsita Dhar, a youth leader, is granddaughter of former three-term MLA Padma Nidhi Dhar. The BJP and CPI(M) defended their decisions to field candidates with political lineage by saying, ''Their candidature has nothing to do with their families.'' ''Both Saria Shah Halim and Dipsita Dhar are good leaders and speakers. It has nothing to do with dynasty,'' CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said. West Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said the party has been vocal against dynasty politics, but in the case of Thakur and Soumendu Adhikari, both are well-known leaders. ''Both are leaders in their own right and got party tickets based on their winnability,'' he said. Although political dynasties have been prevalent in Bengal politics since pre-independence era, post-independence, especially since the late Fifties, student politics was considered the breeding ground for next-generation politicians. CM Mamata Banerjee, former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Left Front chairman Biman Bose, and Congress leaders Somen Mitra and Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi are products of student politics. Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty said the trend of dynasty politics will gain momentum due to a lack of leaders emerging from campuses. ''Earlier, colleges and universities were breeding grounds for the next-generation politicians. But except for Presidency College and Jadavpur University, none of the universities and colleges had a student body election in last five years. So there is hardly any new batch of leaders, forcing the political parties to rely on dynasties,'' he said.

Trinamool to receive major jolt next week: Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata: The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday predicted a major jolt for the ruling Trinamool Congress next week. Speaking at an election rally in Malda, Adhikari said the jolt will be such that the entire Trinamool will be imbalanced next week. Although Adhikari did not give any []

Vote for CPM, Congress will help BJP in Bengal: Mamata

Banerjee rallies in Malda, Murshidabad against NRC, CAA, Uniform Civil Code. Urges Trinamool vote for citizenship protection, criticizes Congress/CPI-M, emphasizes minority concerns in Bengal politics.

Will ensure that Trinamool Congress draws a blank in Murshidabad: Adhir Chowdhury

Murshidabad and Malda are the two districts where the electoral understanding between the Congress and Left parties is likely to pose a challenge to both the Trinamool and the BJP

EC chalked out seven-phase polls to assist BJP campaigning: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Election Commission of India chalked out seven-phase polls to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues to carry out extensive campaigning using the nation's resources. Addressing a public meeting at Gajol in Malda district in support of Maldaha Uttar TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee, a former IPS officer, Mamata Banerjee, the party supremo, said polls have been scheduled from April 19 to June 1 so that Modi and his cabinet colleagues can travel on special planes across the country before every phase to overwhelm the Opposition.

Congress and CPI(M) are helping BJP in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee attacks INDI Alliance partners

In Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP, Mamata Banerjee said while campaigning for Malda North Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee

Congress and CPI(M) are helping BJP in Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee

Congress and CPI(M) are helping BJP in Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee Malda (West Bengal) [India], April 20 ANI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee campaigned for Malda North Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee on Saturday and asked what the BJP has done except causing harm to the people. She claimed that in Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP. At a public rally here, the West Bengal CM danced and played drums on the stage. Mamata Banerjee said, What has the BJP done for anyone? Has it done anything else except causing harm to people? During elections, we stay in rented hotels but on the other hand, PM Modi uses army benefits such as planes. Have you ever heard of anyone from the BJP or Congress going to Delhi and talking about Bengal? She hits out at incumbent BJP MP Khagen Murmu and asked where he was when funds were stopped for MGNREGA workers for 100 days of work. In Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP. They suspended our MPs in Parliament but still, we went to Delhi and raised our demands. When the NRC was implemented in Assam, our leaders were stopped at Guwahati Airport; and seven cases were registered against me, she added. She further stated that the BJP won't succeed in Bengal, South India, Punjab and Delhi, and the number of votes in MP and Rajasthan would be reduced to 50 per cent so the target of 400 seats is exaggerated. Last time during the election, they assured Rs 15 lakh in everyone's account. Has anyone received the money yet? she asked. The state's three parliamentary constituencies--Coochbehar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri--all of which were won by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, voted on Friday in the first phase of the general elections. Polling in the 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal is being held across all seven phases: April 19, April 26, May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes has been scheduled for June 4. Though the TMC is part of the INDIA bloc, it does not have a seat-sharing arrangement with the other parties in the alliance, like Congress and the Left parties in the state. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for 2 seats. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4. However, the BJP came up with a much-improved showing in the 2019 polls, winning 18 seats against the TMC's 22. The Congress's tally dropped to just 2 seats, while the Left scored a blank. (ANI)

Special trains to be run from SMV Bengaluru to Malda Town, Santragachchi to Secunderabad via Duvvada to clear rush

Special trains to be run from SMV Bengaluru to Malda Town, Santragachchi to Secunderabad via Duvvada to clear rush - The Hindu

Special trains to be run from SMV Bengaluru to Malda Town, Santragachchi to Secunderabad via Duvvada to clear rush The Hindu

River erosion and water scarcity creating challenges in Maldaha Uttar LS constituency

River erosion and water scarcity creating challenges in Maldaha Uttar LS constituency The Maldaha Uttar Lok Sabha constituency in the northern part of West Bengal, set for polling on May 7, grapples with enduring challenges including river erosion, substandard healthcare infrastructure, and drinking water shortages. Candidates competing to represent the constituency recognise that addressing these persistent issues must be a primary focus of their campaign agendas. Once considered to be a stronghold of the Congress, the constituency has seen the emergence of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over the past decade. While the TMC holds sway over Chanchal, Harishchandrapur, Malatipur, and Ratua assembly seats which are part of the Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP has made inroads in Habibpur, Gazole, and Maldaha segments. Incumbent BJP MP Khagen Murmu, confident of retaining the seat for the second term, emphasised his efforts to address local grievances despite resistance from the state government. He cited challenges in implementing central schemes due to ''lack of cooperation'' from the state administration. ''I am confident of winning with a big margin. People of this constituency have realised that the local administration and the state government do not want any development for them. They have been deprived because of the non-cooperative attitude of the state government. I have fought for them and the people of Maldaha Uttar know it. I know they will vote for me again,'' the BJP nominee told PTI. Murmu, a former CPI(M) MLA from Habibpur who joined the BJP in 2019, alleged that he had faced ''huge resistance from the state government whenever he tried to implement any central government scheme''. ''There is a huge population who are still residing in kutcha houses. I tried to help them rebuild their houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, but the state government did everything to prevent me from helping the poor people,'' he said. He also referred to the persisting problems of river erosion and inadequate drinking water and alleged that people of his constituency were ''getting poor quality provisions'' procured from ration shops. ''I have requested the state minister several times to send a detailed project report to the Centre so that river erosion could be checked. But that never happened,'' Murmu alleged. He said Ganga river erosion displaced thousands of villagers at Mahanandtola gram panchayat under Ratua assembly seat. Opposing Murmu's claims, TMC MLA Samar Mukherjee criticised the BJP for its ''failure to fulfil promises to arrest river erosion before the 2019 elections''. ''Ganga river erosion is a major issue that affects the lives of thousands of people in Malda and Murshidabad districts. Our government helped villagers who were displaced by erosion. They are very upset with the BJP MP as he has failed in keeping his promise,'' Mukherjee said. Congress candidate Mostaque Alam expressed confidence that his party will win the elections as people are ''fed up with the BJP and TMC's politics''. Alam questioned understanding of the grassroots politics of IPS officer-turned-TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee. ''What does he (Prasun Banerjee) know about politics? You cannot gauge the pulse of the people suddenly after coming out of an air-conditioned room. Maldaha Uttar is not that an easy affair,'' the Congress leader said. He said people have realised that the ''politics of the BJP and the TMC will not benefit them''. Banerjee, a 2006-batch IPS officer, has held several important positions, including Inspector General (IG) of Raiganj range, before taking voluntary retirement to contest elections. ''I had offers from the TMC and was promised to be inducted into Mamata Banerjee's Cabinet, but they do not know that I am not a traitor. I started as a student leader under the leadership of ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, worked with leaders like Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and Pradip Chakraborty, and have learnt what politics is all about,'' Alam told PTI over the phone. Banerjee declined to reply to his opponents and went on to say, ''I do not want to speak anything now. June 4 will reveal everything.'' In the 2019 polls, the BJP secured over 37.5 per cent of the votes, while the TMC and the Congress had a share of 31 per cent and 22.5 per cent, respectively. Maldaha Uttar parliamentary constituency will go to polls on May 7.

West Bengals BJP MP caught kissing women while campaigning

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and incumbent MP of West Bengals Malda Uttar constituency Khagen Murmu got embroiled in a controversy over allegedly kissing a girl while campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. The incident occurred on April 8 when Murmu did a live Facebook stream while campaigning in Chanchals Srihipur village. He kissed a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

BJP MP Khagen Murmu Caught in Controversy Over Campaign Kiss

Trinamul Congress criticizes BJP's Khagen Murmu after photos surface of him allegedly kissing a woman during a door-to-door campaign in Malda Uttar constituency

Dakshin Malda LS Election: Meet BJP`s Nirbhoy Didi, Only Female Candidate In North Bengal

Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury is currently serving as MLA fromEnglish Bazar constituency.

2021 Video Of BJP Workers Vandalising Party Office Peddled As Recent

BOOM found that the incident took place in West Bengal's Malda over candidate choice for the 2021 assembly election.

Minorities likely to support TMC in West Bengal during Lok Sabha Polls

In West Bengal, minority voters, comprising nearly thirty per cent of the electorate, are expected to support the TMC over the Left-Congress alliance to counter the BJP's advance, despite the secular alternative. This inclination is particularly evident in districts like Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur, where minorities form the majority. Efforts to woo minorities may become more challenging for the Left-Congress with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) choosing to go solo.

Minorities likely to support TMC in Bengal during LS Polls

Minorities likely to support TMC in Bengal during LS Polls Minorities in West Bengal, constituting nearly thirty per cent of the electorate, are likely to vote for the TMC to halt BJP's advance, despite the presence of a secular alternative in the form of Left-Congress alliance, community leaders said. According to minority leaders, Muslims in West Bengal, pivotal in several Lok Sabha seats, are inclined towards the Mamata Banerjee-led party, which they see as a credible force, unlike the Left-Congress alliance. This inclination is particularly evident in districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur, where minorities form the majority. With the Indian Secular Front (ISF) opting to go solo, efforts to woo minorities might become more challenging for the Left Congress, especially with the saffron party capitalising on various polarising issues such as the Ram Mandir and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). West Bengal boasts the second-highest number of Muslim electorate in the country after Kashmir and Assam. Even though there may be some discontent within the community regarding the state government, religious minority leaders believe that voting for the TMC is crucial to counter the BJP. Imams are likely to appeal to members of the community to ensure there's no split in minority votes, which in 2019 contributed to the BJP's success in minority-dominated areas. ''It must be ensured there's no split in minority votes. The TMC is the best choice in most of the seats, whereas the Left and Congress are best suited in some seats of North Bengal,'' said Qazi Fazlur Rehman, the Imam-eh-din, who leads prayers at the Red Road in Kolkata every year. The president of the West Bengal Imam Association, Mohammed Yahya, said in districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur, minorities might face a tough choice between the Left-Congress and TMC candidates. ''In these districts, the division of minority votes resulted in BJP victories in Uttar Dinajpur in 2019 and in one seat in Malda. However, this time around, minorities are expected to rally behind the TMC, similar to their support in the 2021 assembly polls,'' he added. Imams are expected to convey this message to minorities from 40,000 mosques across the state. The BJP had won Maldah Uttar and Raiganj seats in North Bengal in 2019, where the minorities constitute approximately 45 per cent of the electorate, due to the split of this voting bloc. In a state where minorities constitute around 30 per cent of the electorate, their influence extends to 16-18 Lok Sabha seats, making them a coveted voting bloc for all parties. Several parliamentary seats in both north and south Bengal, such as Raiganj, Coochbehar, Balurghat, Malda North, Malda South, Murshidabad, Diamond Harbour, Uluberia, Howrah, Birbhum, Kanthi, Tamluk, and Joynagar, have significant Muslim populations. Mohammed Kamruzzaman, general secretary of All Bengal Minority Youth Federation, whose organisation has the biggest following among Muslim youths in the state, said, ''In Bengal, TMC is the most credible force when it comes to fighting against BJP.'' Sabir Ahamed, a researcher with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's Pratichi Trust, believes that the TMC's public welfare schemes have fostered strong support from minorities. ''The welfare schemes of the TMC government have played a key role in minority voters' preferences,'' he noted. The CPI(M) and Congress highlighted livelihood issues, scams, anti-incumbency, and a rise in religious-ethnic sentiments as factors eroding TMC's hold over the minority vote- with the defeat in Sagardighi bypoll in 2023 being an indicator. ''The minority votes are returning to the Left and Congress and that has left the TMC and the BJP panicked,'' CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim said. The defeat in the minority-dominated seat in the bypoll had sent shockwaves in the TMC camp, with the ruling party taking up measures to reach out to the community. The entry of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) led by Abbas Siddiqui into Bengal's political arena was a response to the absence of a strong proponent for Muslims in the state's political landscape. Although now led by its lone MLA Naushad Siddique, the ISF, despite garnering only 1.35 per cent of popular vote in 2021 West Bengal assembly election, is still seen as a threat to mainstream parties for a share of the state's 30 per cent Muslim vote. ''It's not about dole politics. Minorities in Bengal are fed up with TMC's corruption and misrule,'' remarked the ISF MLA Siddiqui. The ISF, which has decided to go solo, had announced candidates for six Lok Sabha seats Jadavpur, Balurghat, Uluberia, Barrackpore, Diamond Harbour, and Basirhat. Historically, minorities initially supported the Congress against Hindu Mahasabha and Jan Sangh. However, from the late sixties, they shifted towards the Left, especially under leaders like Jyoti Basu. The Left's decline began with the Sachar Committee report in 2008, highlighting the poor condition of minorities and anti-land acquisition movements in Nandigram and Singur. Mamata Banerjee's TMC then emerged as the new minority advocate, leading to her overthrowing of the Left Front in 2011. This shift has been criticised by the BJP-RSS as minority appeasement. TMC won 34 Lok Sabha seats in 2014, reduced to 22 in 2019. However, in the 2021 assembly polls, minorities voted for the TMC, securing its third consecutive term. ''The TMC has fought against the communal onslaught of the BJP and has protected the minorities. The Left-Congress are B team of the BJP in Bengal,'' senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said. The BJP feels that post-abolition of instant triple talaq in 2017 and recent incidents in Sandeshkhali, where women have accused the TMC leaders of sexually abusing them, it is likely to get a pie of women- minority votes. ''The Muslim women this time will vote for the BJP in Bengal to express their gratitude,'' said state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar.

Riverbank erosion, Ghani Khan's legacy likely factors in Bengal's Malda Dakshin Lok Sabha seat

Among the two remaining Congress-held Lok Sabha seats in the state - the other being Baharampur in neighbouring Murshidabad district - Malda Dakshin candidates, cutting across parties, are also expected to factor in the influence of former Congress patriarch ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, whose legacy continues to influence the region even 18 years after his demise.

LS Polls: TMC holds meeting to device strategy for to ensure strong performance in Malda

The News Mill

Bengal govt writes to Governor Bose reminding him of constitutional duties, obligations

KOLKATA: In a recent development in the ongoing dispute between West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and the state government, the Mamata Banerjee-led administration wrote a letter to the governor on Friday to underscore his constitutional responsibilities and obligations. In the nine-page letter, the state government further underscored to the governor that, as per Supreme Court directives, the authority for the removal or appointment of any minister in the state exclusively belongs to the chief minister. The letter emphasised that the governor lacks the constitutional mandate to recommend the removal of any minister, and his directives hold no legal standing. This comes at a time when the Supreme Court has yet to give direction for the appointment of 31 vice-chancellors of state-run universities. As Chancellor of the state-run universities, Governor Bose has not kept the state in the loop while appointing officiating VCs. Meanwhile, on Friday, the Governor sought a judicial probe into alleged corruption, violence and misuse of university campuses in West Bengal for electioneering and political purposes. The probe will be headed by a one-man commission, consisting of a retired judge of the Supreme Court. A day earlier, Governor Bose had sought the removal of state education minister Bratya Basu from the cabinet, claiming that the latter had deliberately violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by holding a meeting with politicians at the University of Gour Banga in Malda district recently. Bose, the chancellor of all state-run universities, also said Basu's act of holding the meeting on the institute's premises has brought discredit to the university system. In light of the meeting held at Gour Banga University under the leadership and presence of Basu with other ministers, MPs, MLAs, and political leaders on March 30, the chancellor has directed the state government to take strict action against him for deliberately violating the MCC, including his removal from the cabinet, the governor added. Responding to the governor's statement, Basu posted on X, calling the recommendation for his removal laughable and saying that the governor had misused his constitutional post and proved his political identity. The education minister also stated that it was within the discretion of political parties to inform the poll body if he had breached the MCC. On Thursday, Basu had said: By raising such an accusation, the governor has misused his constitutional post and proved his political identity. Secondly, the Indian constitution says that the recommendation for the removal or appointment of any minister lies with the Chief Minister. He has not only exceeded his constitutional limit but he has shown his true colours as well.

Pro-TMC forum of intellectuals on 2-week campaign trail

Pro-TMC forum of intellectuals on 2-week campaign trail A pro-Trinamool Congress forum of intellectuals launched a two-week long campaign from Saturday to canvass support for party candidates ahead of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections beginning from April 19. The Desh Bachao Gana Manch (Save Country Peoples Platform) consists of singers Pratul Mukhopadhyay, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Sobhan Sundar Basu and others. We want the defeat of undemocratic, authoritarian, communal forces in the coming Lok Sabha polls and want to tell people there is no alternative to TMC, one of the forum members said. Their campaign on Saturday covered areas like Kolkata airport, Haroa and Baruipur. In the coming days, they will travel to places such as Canning, Kalyani, Krishnanagar, Jangipur, Malda, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Suri, Bolpur, Asansol, Durgapur and Hooghly crisscrossing northern and southern parts of the state. The campaign by the intellectuals will continue till April 13.

Hyderabad to witness a three-day music and dance extravaganza - Ramayana Kalpavrksam!

Celebrated Classical dancer, scholar, speaker and writer, Ananda Shankar Jayant, IIRTS (Retd.), Padmashrii and SNA Awardee; in association with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Shankarananda Kalakshetra Natyarambha and Brhat; is hosting a 3-day music and dance extravaganza, the signature festival, Ramayana Kalpavrksam, from 29th to 31st March 2024, at the CCRT Campus, Hyderabad. Chief Guest Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, will inaugurate the 3 day festival on March 28 th , 2024 at 6.00 pm at CCRT Campus, Hyderabad. The festival presents a visual treat with a stellar line up of events that include a galaxy of renowned artistes and speakers from across the country, with something for all ages. It includes scintillating performances, ranging from the classical to the popular; thought provoking talks and discussions, immersive arts workshops in dance ideation, Sanskrit and digital arts, Book release, Artisans corner, meet the legend and plethora of other special features. On day one, Friday 29 th , March, the festival has a dance choreographed by Ananda Shankar Javant, Sri Rama Namam - Entha Ruchi Ra and A Civilisation rises again - Ayodhya a Ground Report talk by Swati Goel Sharma. On 30 th March there is an interesting line up of The evening programs - Ramayana in warp and weft - Ramayana on textiles, painting, weaving and embroidery talk by Shefali Vaidya; Svayambodha and Shatrubodha - Twin Wheels of a Civilisation; Panel Discussion,Nupur Sharma in conversationwith Pankaj Saxena; Sri Rama Raksha, storytelling and music byVinay Varanasi and Vivek Sadasivamand Dhruva,songs of faith in loving praise of Hanuman anddance production byAayana Dance Companyand choreography by Krishna Manognya Balaraju. Sunday the 31 st March tar concluding day of the festival The evening session has a book release, Babur- The Chessboard King, by author Aabhas Maldahiyar who will interact with writer Shivakumar; A Sacred awakening Talk by Dushyanth Sridhar and Musical evening , Rejoicing in Raghu, IndoSoul by KarthickIyer. The festival also has Immersive Arts workshops on Saturday 30 th , March, and Sunday 31 st March in the forenoon from 8.30am to 1pm Ramayana mantra mala, potent Life Mantras within Valmiki's Verses; Sanskrit chanting and learning Workshop by Udaya Shreyas, Founder - The Sanskrit Channel; Rama Mandala, Drawing on Canvas and Digital painting Workshop by Lakshmi Ambady and Purushottama, Exploring elements of Shakti and Bhakti in the stories of Rama; Dance, Ideation Workshop by Dr Anupama Kylash A special interactive session of meet the Legend with renowned dance guru Chitra Visveswaran is also planned The festival has a wide bouquet of performances talks and workshops with something for everyone. A Kala Grama artisans market will also rare cultural products. The festival requires registration on the site, ramayanakalpavrksam

TMC lodges complaint to EC against BJP candidate for levelling false allegation

TMC lodges complaint to EC against BJP candidate for levelling false allegation The Trinamool Congress on Thursday complained to the EC against BJP candidate from Maldaha Uttar constituency Khagen Murmu, accusing him of violating the model code of conduct by falsely claiming that TMC nominee Prasun Banerjee has held a private meeting with top Malda district officials. Murmu is the sitting MP of Maldaha Uttar seat. In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, the Malda district unit of the TMC alleged that Murmu had made baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against Banerjee, the party candidate for Maldaha Uttar seat. Murmu had made public statements alleging Banerjee had a 'private' meeting with the government and administrative officers of the district, the TMC claimed in the letter. The BJP MP is fully aware that no such meeting had taken place and his statement was aimed at misleading the voters ahead of the general elections, the ruling party of West Bengal said. The TMC also alleged that the BJP candidate had made personal remarks against Banerjee which were unwarranted and derogatory. The TMC urged the CEO to take strict action against Murmu for breaching the MCC. Murmu should not be allowed to hold any public meeting, speak to the media or take part in any campaign pending an enquiry by the CEO's office.

West Bengal Resident Among 3 Drug Peddlers Arrested In Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 27: Police on Wednesday arrested three drug peddlers, including a West Bengal resident, and recovered contraband substances from their possession in Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla district. Police said at a checkpoint established at Kanispora Chowk Baramulla, they intercepted one person. During the search, 20 grams of contraband brown sugar-like substances were recovered from his possession. The accused has been identified as Sheikh Hashmat, a resident of Malda, West Bengal, presently staying at Kanispora, who was arrested. Similarly, a [] The post West Bengal Resident Among 3 Drug Peddlers Arrested In Kashmir appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Three people killed in a road accident in Malda

Malda, Mar 24 (UNI) Three people were killed when the car, in which they were traveling, was hit by a gas-laden tanker at English Bazar in West Bengals Malda district, police said on Sunday. Police said while two of the deceased were from Mothabari one was a resident of English Bazar. The mishap happened last... The post Three people killed in a road accident in Malda first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Discontent grows in TMC, BJP ranks in Bengal over ticket distribution for LS polls

Discontent grows in TMC, BJP ranks in Bengal over ticket distribution for LS polls Discontentment seems to be increasing by the day in sections of the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal with several leaders of both camps expressing displeasure over the selection of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Several TMC leaders aspiring for tickets have openly voiced their unhappiness over not being nominated for the seats they eyed. The BJP has witnessed similar dissatisfaction among some influential leaders over candidate selection. At least five senior TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor and party spokesperson Santanu Sen, who were seeking nomination from Malda North and Dum Dum seats respectively, have expressed dissatisfaction after being denied tickets. Even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's younger brother, Babun Banerjee, voiced his displeasure after not being nominated for the Howrah seat, in which the TMC gave its ticket to sitting MP Prasun Banerjee. The CM disowned her brother following his outburst. Sitting BJP MP from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, who had previously switched over to the TMC two years ago, returned to the saffron party after being denied a ticket. Similarly, TMC's four-term MLA and ticket aspirant from Kolkata North, Tapas Roy, joined the BJP due to disagreements over the re-nomination of five-term party MP Sudip Bandopadhyay from the seat. Likewise, the BJP, which has announced candidates for 19 of the 42 seats so far, has also encountered embarrassing situations as Union minister and Alipurduars MP John Barla and Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj, who have significant influence over Scheduled Tribes and Rajbanshi community respectively, expressed dissatisfaction over the selection of candidates in some seats in north Bengal. Barla was replaced with the party's assembly chief whip Manoj Tigga for Alipurduars, while the BJP re-nominated Union minister Nisith Pramanik in Cooch Behar, even as Maharaj, a prominent figure in the Greater Cooch Behar statehood movement, opposed his candidature. Both the TMC and BJP, amidst their intense election campaigns, downplayed the discontentment. ''What you are calling discontentment is actually disappointment, which is natural if you are expecting something and don't get it. But except for Arjun Singh, everybody else is still in TMC and is working for the party,'' TMC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Ray told PTI. While 16 of the 23 sitting MPs were retained, the TMC chose not to re-nominate seven incumbents. Two-term MP from Bardhaman Purba, Sunil Mondal, who had joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 assembly polls only to return after the saffron camp's defeat, was also dropped, and a political newcomer was nominated for the seat. The TMC candidate list included 26 fresh faces, 11 of whom were political greenhorns. Not a single candidate who lost in the 18 seats in the 2019 polls was offered candidacy this time. ''Would we nominate Arjun Singh and Sunil Mondal so that they again betray us after winning on our tickets? It was a conscious decision by the party not to make them candidates,'' Ray said. Mausam Benazir Noor, the scion of Congress stalwart ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury's family and the TMC's Rajya Sabha MP, expressed her displeasure over being overlooked for a party ticket. ''I wanted to contest from the Malda North seat as I had won it twice but got defeated last time due to division of votes. Anyways, the party must have taken such a decision considering various factors,'' Noor, who had switched over from the Congress in 2019, said. Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan's nomination from the Congress stronghold of Behrampore seat initially sparked an inner-party debate, with TMC's Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir criticising the nomination of an ''outsider'' and contemplating contesting as an independent. However, after the intervention of the TMC's top brass, Kabir changed his stance and decided to work for the party nominee's victory. ''There is nothing wrong in being an aspirant for a ticket, and expressing disappointment if overlooked is normal. But once the party announces the nominees, every one of us has to work to ensure the victory of the party candidates,'' Santanu Sen told PTI. On the other hand, the BJP, which has set a target of winning over 35 seats in the state, has also been trying to pacify Maharaj and Barla. Maharaj, who heads one of the factions of the Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA), holds sway over the Rajbanshi community, which accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the electorate in the region. The BJP had offered him nomination during the Rajya Sabha polls last year, and he won comfortably. Similarly, Barla, who had attracted attention in 2021 after demanding a Union territory for north Bengal, is a popular leader of the STs and tea garden workers in Alipurduars. In 2019, Barla played a pivotal role in securing BJP victory in both Alipurduars and adjoining Jalpaiguri seats. ''The party has already spoken to them, and the issues will be sorted out. It is quite natural to express displeasure if your expectations are not fulfilled. The party stands united,'' BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said. Political analysts believe that while dissent among lesser-known figures is unlikely to significantly affect the TMC's poll prospects, given the party's reliance on the CM's popularity, it could pose a concern for the BJP due to caste dynamics, particularly in north Bengal. ''For the TMC, Banerjee holds sway, making the dissatisfaction of these individuals inconsequential as they lack significant political weight,'' said political scientist Subhamoy Maitra. Political analyst Maidul Islam, on the other hand, highlighted the pivotal role caste equations played in favour of the BJP in 2019. ''The discontent might upset BJP's prospects in not only Cooch Behar and Alipurduar but also Darjeeling and some other seats of north Bengal, which the saffron party had swept in the last Lok Sabha polls,'' he said. In 2019, the TMC had won 22 seats whereas the BJP had bagged 18 seats, out of which seven were from north Bengal. Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Results will be announced on June 4.

Cong announces candidates for 8 LS seats in Bengal

Cong announces candidates for 8 LS seats in Bengal West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the son of a sitting MP are among 56 candidates who feature in the third list of nominees announced by the party for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party has announced candidates for eight out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. It presently holds two Lok Sabha seats - Berhampore and Maldaha Dakshin - in the state. Following are the key Congress candidates from West Bengal: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Berhampore): The leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, Chowdhury is a five-term MP from the seat in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district. The 67-year-old Chowdhury, who also doubles up as the state Congress president, is probably the only mass leader the grand old party has in the state. An architect of the Congress-Left Front alliance in the state in 2016, Chowdhury is a bitter critic of the TMC government in West Bengal. He is presently in talks with the Left for clinching a seat-sharing deal in the state. The re-nomination of Chowdhury from Berhampore has set the stage for the much-anticipated clash between the veteran Congress leader and cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan, who has been fielded by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Known as the 'Robin Hood of Berhampore', Chowdhury won the seat in 2019 by a margin of over 80,000 votes with a vote share of 45.5 per cent. Isha Khan Choudhury (Maldaha Dakshin): The son of sitting MP and Congress leader Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, Isha is a two-time Congress MLA from 2011-2021. In 2021, he failed to win the Sujapur assembly seat. The scion of Congress stalwart ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury's family, Isha spent much of his life in Canada before taking a plunge into politics in 2011. His 86-year-old father, Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, a four-term sitting MP from the Maldaha-Dakshin seat, has decided to step aside due to failing health. Known for his well-researched speeches in the West Bengal assembly, the 52-year-old Isha is presently a senior leader of the Bengal Congress unit. Pradip Bhattacharya (Kolkata North): One of the most senior leaders of West Bengal Congress unit, Bhattacharya is a two-term Rajya Sabha MP and a one-term Lok Sabha MP from the state. A former state Congress president, Bhattacharya served as a minister in the Siddhartha Sankar Ray government in West Bengal from 1972-1977, the last Congress government in the state. In Kolkata North Lok Sabha constituency, he will be up against five-term MP and TMC candidate Sudip Bandyopadhyay. The other seats where the party has decided to field candidates are Jangipur, Raiganj, Maldah Uttar, Purulia and Birbhum. While Murtoza Hossain is contesting from Jangipur, Nepal Mahato has been fielded from Purulia. Similarly, Ali Amran Ramz will contest from Raiganj, Mostaque Alam (Maldah Uttar) and Milton Rashid has been named as the candidate from Birbhum, the AICC statement said.

Cong's 3rd list of LS poll candidates: Adhir from Berhampore, Kharge's son-in-law from Gulbarga

Cong's 3rd list of LS poll candidates: Adhir from Berhampore, Kharge's son-in-law from Gulbarga The Congress on Thursday released its third list of 56 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, fielding Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Berhampore, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna from Gulbarga and former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde's daughter Praniti Shinde from Solapur. The Congress has left the Sikar constituency in Rajasthan for the Communist Party of India (Marxist). With this, the party has declared a total of 138 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. In its third list, the Congress has declared candidates for two seats in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Gujarat, 17 in Karnataka, seven in Maharashtra, five in Rajasthan, five in Telangana, eight in West Bengal and one in Puducherry. Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki has been fielded from Arunachal West. In Gujarat, the party has named Sonal Patel from Gandhinagar, Prabhaben Taviyad from Dahod (ST) and Nilesh Kumbani from Surat, among others. Kharge's son-in-law and the children of five ministers figure in the second list of 17 candidates for Karnataka announced by the Congress. It has fielded Priyanka Jarkiholi from Chikkodi, Radhakrishna from Gulbarga (SC), Vinod Asooti from Dharwad, M Rajeev Gowda from Bangalore North, Sowmya Reddy from Bangalore South, Mansoor Ali Khan from Bangalore Central and state minister Lakshmi Ravindra Hebbalkar's son Mrunal Ravindra Hebbalkar from Belguam, among others. The Congress has fielded Shahu Shahaji Chhatrapati, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. It has also fielded Vasantrao Chavan from Nanded and Ravindra Hemraj Dhangekar from Pune. In Telangana, the party has fielded Sunitha Mahender Reddy from Malkajgiri, Danam Nagender from Secunderabad, Gaddam Vamsi Krishna from Peddapalle (SC), Gaddam Rajith Reddy from Chevella and Mallu Ravi from Nagarkurnool (SC). In Rajasthan, the Congress has fielded Sunil Sharma from Jaipur, Sangeeta Beniwal from Pali, Urmila Jain Bhaya from Jhalawar-Baran. The party has again fielded Chowdhury from Berhampore, setting up the much-anticipated clash between the veteran Congress leader and cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan, who has been fielded by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. In West Bengal, the Congress has also fielded Pradip Bhattacharya from Kolkata North, Mostaque Alam from Maldaha North, Ali Imran Ramz (Victor) from Raiganj, Mohammed Murtoja Hossain (Bokul) from Jangipur, Nepal Mahato from Purulia and Milton Rashid from Birbhum. The party has renominated its incumbent MP from Puducherry, Ve Vaithilingam. Also, the Congress has fielded Isha Khan Choudhury, son of Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, from Maldaha South. Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury is the incumbent MP from the seat. Earlier, the Congress had announced 82 candidates in two lists for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls beginning April 19.

Election Commission Declares Six Lok Sabha Constituencies As 'Financially Sensitive'

These six constituencies are Darjeeling, Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Asansol, Bangaon and Kolkata North, he said.

Six LS constituencies in Bengal identified as financially sensitive seats

Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) Six out of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal have been identified as financially sensitive seats, sources in the state Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) office said on Tuesday. The six constituencies are Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Darjeeling, Asansol, Bangaon, and Kolkata Uttar. The poll panel has also directed the []

Woman delivers baby on moving train with passengers' help near Bengal's Malda

Woman delivers baby on moving train with passengers help near Bengals Malda

South Malda 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Date, Schedule, party wise candidates and other key details

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in South Malda, West Bengal, will feature a triangular contest between Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress. Scheduled for May 7, 2024, under the second phase of elections, the constituency comprises seven assembly segments. Incumbent MP Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury faces tough competition, reflecting the dynamic political landscape in the region ahead of the polls.

High-stakes battle looms in West Bengals South Malda, triangular fight likely on May 7

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I am Prasun Banerjee. Main hoon na: TMC Malda North candidate dares central forces, EC

The News Mill

Trinamool Congress Candidate Warns Central Forces and Election Commission, BJP Reacts

Kolkata: Prasun Banerjee, Trinamool Congress's candidate for the Malda North Lok Sabha seat, stirred controversy with his remarks cautioning central forces and the Election Commission against any acts of intimidation during elections. Speaking at a rally in Malda, Banerjee, a former IPS officer, stated, I urge all BSF and paramilitary forces to adhere to the law. We will also abide by the law. Let the elections be conducted freely and fairly. If paramilitary forces attempt to intimidate, 'main hoon na' (I am here). Banerjee emphasized the importance of treating Election Commission officials with respect. He suggested that they should be provided with appropriate facilities and not be ignored. In a somewhat threatening tone, he asserted, Just inform that Prasun Banerjee is here to mediate. There is no need for boots or AK-47s. Simply let them know that I am called and I will arrive within half an hour. I will educate everyone on the laws. The observer will comprehend everything. Concluding his speech, he exclaimed, 'khela hobe' (the game is on). Banerjee is among the 42 Lok Sabha candidates nominated by the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. BJP Responds Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, shared a video of Banerjee's comments regarding paramilitary forces and the Election Commission. Prasun, who resigned from the IPS and joined the Trinamool Congress the very next day to contest Lok Sabha elections, is now issuing warnings to the Election Commission of India. One can only imagine his actions as a police officer! He epitomizes all that is wrong with the West Bengal Police, Malviya wrote on X. Earlier this month, Banerjee opted for voluntary retirement from the IPS. He served as the Inspector General of Police for the Raiganj Range. In addition to his political career, Banerjee is also a well-known theatre actor in the state. Gulfam Kills Wife in Meerut After Influence by Maulvi, Arrested Congress Leader Rajendra Bhandari Resigns and Joins BJP Clash between Foreign and Local Students at Gujarat University Hostel: Details and Background

TMC unhappy with seven-phase polls in Bengal; BJP, Congress, CPM welcome decision

KOLKATA: West Bengals 42 Lok Sabha constituencies will vote in seven phases in the 18th general elections starting from April 19 and ending on June 1. The electoral exercise will continue for 44 days. The Election Commission (EC)s decision to conduct the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal in the maximum number of phases along with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh drew sharp criticism from the ruling TMC, which argued that polling in so many phases in the state would be advantageous to the BJP. Leaders of the ruling party alleged that the poll panel maligned the image of the state by ignoring their views recommending voting in a single phase. However, all the opposition parties BJP, Congress and CPI(M) welcomed the ECs decision. We have noticed that more voters turn out to exercise their franchise if there are fewer number of phases. This is why we demanded polling in a single phase. Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are big states but they are voting in one phase. Why so many phases for Bengal? This is nothing but a tactic to spread terror which will be advantageous for the BJP, said TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. Sources in the TMC said the party supremo Mamata Banerjee would make the seven-phase poll in Bengal an issue in the campaign portraying it as an attempt to defame Bengal as a volatile state. She will stress that political parties like the BJP with deeper pockets are at an advantage over others when it comes to multi-phase polling. She will also give examples of other states with similar geographical size and sending around the same number of MPs to the Lok Sabha, which are voting in a single phase, said a senior TMC leader. Mamata says 'no ties' with brother after he expresses displeasure over TMC's Howrah candidate Welcoming the ECs decision, BJPs state president Sukanta Majumdar said the TMCs muscle flexing in the election would not work this time. We are happy with the ECs polls schedule. But the way voters are intimidated in Bengal, there should have been more phases. TMCs muscle power will not work this time, he said. State Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, expressed his happiness over the seven-phase polling in Bengal. Had it been in one phase, as demanded by the TMC, the ruling party would have unleashed terror across the state. The seven-phase polling will help the electorate to exercise their franchise, he said. CPI(M)s Sujan Chakrabarty said his party would have welcomed it even if there had been 12 phases. We dont have any problem with the number of phases in Bengal, he said. Vigilant Governor Expressing his commitment to be actively engaged in the upcoming general elections, West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose said he would be present on the roads from 6 am on polling days to put an end to violence. Bose assure that he would exert his utmost effort to achieve his goal. I will be in the field right from day one of the election. My two priorities will be to see that no violence and corruption takes place during the election. I will be on the road at 6 am before others wake up, said Bose. Mamatas new foe a judge without a gavel Party wise strength In 2019 LS polls: TMC-22, BJP-18, Congress-2 (After Asansol BJP MP Babul Supriya defected to the TMC, the seat was won by it in the by-election taking its present tally to 23 and reducing the BJPs strength to 17) Bengal schedule: First phase (3 LS constituencies): April 19 - Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri. Second phase (3 LS constituencies): April 26 - Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat. Third phase (4 LS constituencies): May 7 - Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad. Fourth phase (8 LS constituencies): May 13 - Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum. Fifth phase (7 LS constituencies): May 20 - Bongaon Barrackpore, Howrah, Uluberia, Serampore, Hooghly, Arambag. Sixth phase (8 LS constituencies): May 25 - Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Midnipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur Seventh phase (9 LS constituencies): June 1 - Barasat, Basirhat, Dum Dum, Kolkata Uttar, Kolkata Dakshin, Jadavpur, Mathurapur, Jaynagar and Diamond Harbour. Why Mamata gave Congress the cold shoulder in West Bengal

TMC Against Seven-phase LS Polls in WB

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has ordered Adilabad district and mandal level leaders to attend the TPCC general body meeting on Wednesday, which will be chaired by the newly appointed AICC in-charge of Telangana Deepa Dasmunshi. Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabh (DC file photo) Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has ordered Adilabad district and mandal level leaders to attend the TPCC general body meeting on Wednesday, which will be chaired by the newly appointed AICC in-charge of Telangana Deepa Dasmunshi. Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabh (DC file photo) Kolkata: The Trinamul Congress has objected to the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections for the 42 seats in West Bengal. State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya claimed, We repeatedly had sought the LS polls be held in one or two phases in Bengal because we found that the minimal phases help people to cast their votes freely and increase their turnout here. Still the number of phases has been stretched to seven. She also pointed out: If there are multiple phases, voter turnout drops like it happened in 2019 compared to its previous occasion. It is also against federal structure as it helps those, who have the moneypower, to mobilize their funds fully by utilizing the time they get out of multiple phases. Bhattacharya added, Many bigger states are going to have one phase poll. There was no need to hold the LS polls here in seven phases. Among the 42 seats in Bengal, three seats each will go to the first two phases. These are Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri on April 19 and Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat on April 26. The third phase on May 4 will cover Malda North, Malda South, Murshidabad and Jangipur. On May 13, Berhampore, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, BardhamanDurgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, Birbhum will go to polls in the fourth round, followed by Bongaon, Barrackpore, Howrah, Uluberia, Serampore, Hooghly and Arambagh in the fifth phase on May 20. While the sixth phase on May 25 will cover Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur, the seventh and final round will have Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Joynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar on June 1.

Trinamool LS candidate fears sabotage by party colleagues

Kolkata, March 15 (IANS) Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, the Trinamool Congress candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Malda South in West Bengal, fears sabotage by a section of leaders and workers from his own party. Speaking to mediapersons on Friday, Raihan, who is a fresher in politics, said that there are examples of party []

Left fields 16 in Bengal, ready for adjustment with Congress

Left Front announces 16 Lok Sabha candidates in West Bengal, willing to collaborate with Congress, except in Malda and Murshidabad. They aim to challenge Trinamool, BJP, aligning with the INDIA Bloc, differing from Kerala's political landscape.

Why men prefer women with sharp curves: Meet former IPS officer, fielded by Mamata Banerjee as TMC candidate for Lok Saba election

Following backlash on social media, Prasun Banerjee quickly deactivated his account. He did not bother to cite any apology or reassure the residents of the Malda North constituency.

CAA a game changer in all Matua belts of Bengal in 2024 Lok Sabha polls

The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the Lok Sabha election is a game changer for the Matua communities in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Malda, and North Bengal. It fulfills their long-term demand for citizenship rights and has the potential to impact the upcoming polls

TMC abandons INDIA bloc, fields 42 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal

TMC abandons INDIA bloc, fields 42 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal Abandoning the Mallikarjun Kharge-led INDIA bloc, Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal for the upcoming general elections. Giving a message of TMC going solo in the Lok Sabha polls, party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee announced the list that included certain surprises from former cricketers Yusuf Pathan from Berhampore and Kirti Azad from the Bardhaman Durgapur Lok Sabha seat. Sukanta Majumdar, the President of the West Bengal BJP, raised questions about TMC's decision to field Yusuf Pathan and Kirti Azad. Just half an hour before the TMC's list was announced, Abhishek Banerjee was making statements like BJP is anti-Bengal. Now, when the candidates are announced, it's clear that TMC is bringing people from outside. I don't know if Kirti Azad and Yusuf Pathan are Bengali, Yusuf Pathan is from Gujarat, and so is PM Modi, but for them, PM Modi is an outsider, he said. The list was announced by Abhishek Banerjee at Brigade Parade ground on Sunday. Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Diamond Harbour. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in the Winter session last year has been given a ticket from Krishnanagar constituency. Meanwhile, Mukut Mani Adhikari who recently quit the Bharatiya Janata Party has also been given a ticket from Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat. Shatrughan Sinha is set to again contest from Asansol, a seat he had won earlier in 2022 bypoll. TMC has fielded Jagadish C Basuniya from Cooch Behar, Prakash Chik Baraik from Alipurduar, Nirmal Ch Roy from Jalpaiguri, Gopal Lama from Darjeeling. Krishna Kalyani has been fielded from Raiganj whereas Biplab Mitra and Prasun Banerjee will contest from Balurghat and Malda Uttar respectively. On the announcement of the candidates, Trinamool Congress said that the ruling party in Bengal will stand with the common people as part of its committment. Under the leadership of Chairperson @MamataOfficial, we're pleased to announce the names of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. We are steadfast in our commitment to stand by the common people against the deprivation of the Central Govt. When it comes to confronting the @BJP4India jomidars head-on and responding in the language they understand best, the Twin Flower is people's only choice!, TMC posted on X. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who was also sharing the stage when the list was released, asserted that her party will contest elections in multiple states in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. TMC will contest the election against BJP, Congress, and CPM in West Bengal. TMC will fight alone here in Bengal. TMC will also fight in Assam, Uttar Pradesh. For one seat, there has been a discussion with Samajwadi leader Akhilesh Yadav. We will also fight in Meghalaya, she said. The party also announced to field Shahnawaz Ali Raihan from Malda Dakshin. From Jangipur, Khalilur Rahman has been given the ticket to contest the polls. Abu Taher Khan has also been given a ticket from Murshidabad, Biswajit Das from Bongaon and Partha Bhowmick from Barrackpore. TMC leader Saugata Roy is set to contest from Dum Dum, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar from Barasat, Haji Nurul Islam from Basirhat, and Pratima Mondal has been given a ticket from Joynagar constituency. From Mathurapur, Bapi Halder will contest whereas Saayoni Ghosh has been fielded from the Jadavpur seat. Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary (Communications), Jairam Ramesh expressed his dissatisfaction and said that a unilateral announcement should not have been made by the TMC. The Indian National Congress has always maintained that it wants a respectable seat-sharing formula with the TMC in West Bengal. It means mutual negotiations, give and take, some compromise. We have always said that our doors are open for negotiations and seat-sharing talks but there should be no unilateral announcement of the seats, we should do it collectively together as we have done in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, and so on, Jairam Ramesh said. The TMC has announced, I don't know what pressure was there on the TMC but as far as we are concerned we want to strengthen the INDIA alliance in West Bengal. So let's see what happens, he added. The ruling party also fielded Mala Roy from Kolkata Dakshin, Sudip Bandhopadhyay from Kolkata Uttar and Prasun Banerjee from Howrah. Meanwhile, Sajda Ahmed will contest from Uluberia, Kalyan Banerjee from Serampore, Rachana Banerjee from Hooghly and Mitali Bag from Arambagh seat. TMC further announced that Debangshu Bhattacharya will contest from Tamluk, Uttam Barik from Kanthi , Deepak Adhikari (Dev) from Ghatal, Kalipada Soren from Jhargram and June Malia from Medinipur. From Purulia, Shantiram Mahato has been fielded whereas Arup Chakrabarty will contest from Bankura. Sujata Mondal from Bishnupur, Dr Sharmila Sarkar from Bardhaman Purba , Asit Kumar Mal from Bolpur and Satabdi Roy from Birbhum have also been given a ticket by TMC. The Trinamool Congress kicked off the campaign for the upcoming elections through its show of strength. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats. The Congress won the remaining two seats.In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

Cricketer Yusuf Pathan, actress Rachana Banerjee to make political debut in LS polls from Bengal

Cricketer Yusuf Pathan, actress Rachana Banerjee to make political debut in LS polls from Bengal The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which unveiled its candidate lineup for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, has introduced six political newcomers, among them former cricketer Yusuf Pathan and Padma Shri recipient Kalipada Soren. The other fresh faces are actor Rachana Banerjee, psychiatrist Sharmila Sarkar, Oxford University's PhD scholar Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, and former IPS officer Prasun Banerjee. Yusuf Pathan, renowned for his cricket career, notably representing India in the 2011 World Cup-winning team, officially retired from all forms of cricket in February 2021. Fielded from Baharampur, a Congress stronghold, he stands out as a political newcomer and a non-resident of Bengal. Pathan, born in Baroda in Gujarat, is likely to be up against five-term MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who doubles up as the Bengal Pradesh Congress president. Kalipada Soren, honoured with the Padma Shri for his contributions to literature and education, particularly in promoting Santhali culture, emerges as a political novice at 64. He is a celebrated playwright and author, recognised with the Sahitya Academy Award twice. Actress Rachana Banerjee ventures into politics, contesting against BJP's sitting MP Locket Chatterjee from Hooghly Lok Sabha seat, where Singur, known for anti-land acquisition protests against the erstwhile Left regime, is situated. Renowned psychiatrist Sharmila Sarkar makes her political debut as the TMC's candidate for Bardhaman Purba Lok Sabha seat, replacing incumbent MP Sunil Mondal, who briefly joined the BJP before returning to the TMC fold after the 2021 assembly polls. Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, a PhD scholar at Oxford University, and TMC's candidate from Malda South seat, has been actively engaging in academic and public discourse on various political issues in the country, including government policies related to migration and other matters affecting the populace. Former IPS officer Prasun Banerjee, who recently resigned, has been chosen as the TMC's candidate for the Malda North seat, currently held by the BJP. Banerjee, who previously served as DIG of the Malda range and superintendent in various districts of North Bengal, has also ventured into acting in Bengali television dramas for a brief period.

TMC to go solo in Bengal; releases candidate list for 42 LS seats, 7 MPs dropped

TMC to go solo in Bengal; releases candidate list for 42 LS seats, 7 MPs dropped The TMC on Sunday ended speculations of a possible seat adjustment with the Congress in Bengal by unveiling its candidate list for all 42 Lok Sabha seats, marking a significant overhaul by replacing seven sitting MPs and introducing several new faces, including former cricketer Yusuf Pathan. The Trinamool Congress maintained a harmonious blend of experienced leaders and fresh talent, amid the alleged power tussle between the old guards and the next-gen leaders. Facing political heat over the incidents in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders surfaced, the party brought in former MP Haji Nurul Islam replacing actor Nusrat Jahan in the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, where the trouble-torn area is situated. While 16 of 23 sitting MPs were retained, the TMC opted not to re-nominate seven incumbents and notably excluded BJP defector Arjun Singh from Barrackpore, who joined the TMC two years ago. Among the new faces are 12 women candidates. Additionally, out of the 26 new candidates, 11 are entirely new to the political arena. Additionally, a Rajya Sabha MP and nine MLAs, including two state ministers Partha Bhowmick and Biplab Mitra, have been thrust into the Lok Sabha battle. Addressing a rally at Brigade Parade Grounds here, Banerjee announced the party would contest the polls in Bengal ''alone''. ''We will contest the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal alone and will fight the Congress, BJP, and the CPI(M). We will also contest in Assam and Meghalaya. We are in talks with Akhilesh Yadav (of SP) for contesting one seat in UP,'' she said. While speaking about bringing in fresh faces and dropping sitting MPs, the TMC supremo said, ''I have fielded candidates, some people were dropped. Those who have not been re-nominated will be accommodated during the assembly polls.'' Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan has been nominated from Baharampur, historically a stronghold of state Congress chief and five-term MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. ''I'm eternally grateful to Smt. @MamataOfficial for welcoming me into the TMC family and trusting me with the responsibility to become the people's voice in the Parliament. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to uplift the poor and deprived, and that is what I hope to achieve,'' Pathan posted on X. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year in cash for a query case, has been reaffirmed as the party's candidate from Krishnanagar. Film star-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who won the Asansol seat in a bypoll on a TMC ticket in 2022, has been re-nominated. Kirti Azad, a former cricketer and party leader, has been nominated from Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency, previously lost to the BJP in 2019. Notably, among the nine MLAs nominated for the polls, BJP defectors Biswajit Das and Mukutmani Adhikari will contest from Bongaon and Ranaghat, strongholds of the Matua community, which the TMC lost to the BJP in 2019. Another BJP defector Krishna Kalyani, will be contesting from Raiganj seat in North Bengal, bagged by the BJP in 2019. Party's Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik will take on Union minister and BJP MP Nisith Pramanik from Cooch Behar. Interestingly, the party has replaced candidates in all the eight seats in North Bengal, which it lost to the BJP and the Congress in 2019. The BJP secured seven seats, while the Congress won one seat in North Bengal in the last LS polls. The TMC has also struck a balance between experienced leaders and new blood, with three-term MPs Sudip Bandopadhyay, Sougata Roy, Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar being re-nominated from their respective seats of North Kolkata, Dum Dum, Birbhum, Serampore and Barasat. The party has also introduced fresh faces like Saayoni Ghosh, Debangshu Bhattacharya, Gopal Lama, MLA June Maliah, Bapi Haldar, and actress Rachana Banerjee from the seats of Jadavpur, Tamluk, a stronghold of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Darjeeling and Medinipur. Bhattacharya, a party spokesperson and youth leader, gained instant fame during the 2021 assembly polls by coining the slogan and the song ''Khela Hobe'', which went on to become a template for the party campaign against the BJP. TMC MPs of Kanthi and Tamluk, Sisir Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari, whose names did not feature in the candidate list, have been maintaining a distance from the party after their family member Suvendu Adhikari joined the saffron camp in December 2020. Additionally, Sujata Mondal Khan has been fielded from the Bishnupur seat against her ex-husband and sitting BJP MP Saumitra Khan. Former IPS officer Prasun Banerjee, who recently resigned, will contest from Malda North to reclaim the seat from the BJP. Apart from Pathan, the party has fielded four other political greenhorns in the Lok Sabha polls including actor Rachana Banerjee, Padma Shri awardee and Santhali playwright Kalipada Soren, noted psychiatrist Sharmila Sarkar and Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, a PhD scholar of Oxford University. Rachana Banerjee will be pitted against BJP's sitting MP Locket Chatterjee from Hooghly, where the Singur area, known for anti-land acquisition protests against the erstwhile Left regime, is situated. However, Arjun Singh, whose name did not feature in the candidate list, considered it as a blessing of Mamata Banerjee. ''I consider it as a blessing of Mamata Banerjee. However, when I re-joined the TMC from the BJP in 2022, I was told that I would be re-nominated from Barrackpore,'' he said. Reacting to candidature of Pathan from Baharampur, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said it was an attempt to divide Muslim votes. The BJP, which wondered whether the TMC couldn't find its own candidates, said the candidate list is full of ''bohiragatos (outsiders)'' - coinage used by TMC to attack BJP leaders. ''Pathan, TMC's Baharampur candidate, is from Baroda in Gujarat or West Bengal? TMC list is full of what Mamata Banerjee calls 'Bohiragotos'. Shame on her divisive politics, which is holding back West Bengal,'' BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury approaches Calcutta HC as case filed against him under non-bailable charges

Kolkata, March 6 (IANS) Congress West Bengal President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday approached the Calcutta High Court for protection as the state police has filed a case against him under non-bailable charges. The police, in a notice served to Chowdhury, had accused him of making provocative statements at Harishchandrapur in Malda district on January []