TMC to be in Opposition after West Bengal Assembly polls: Suvendu Adhikari
BJP speaks of giving to Bengal industries like in Gujarat and good governance like that in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, says BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari
Aniket Mahato prominent face of RG Kar movement steps down from West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum
Aniket Mahato has resigned from the West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum. He cited differences with other trustees and alleged undemocratic committee formation. Mahato also spoke of state government vindictiveness towards protest leaders. He plans to continue his fight for justice independently.
5 Assembly elections, key civic body polls in 2026: Modi, Mamata, Stalin gear up for big poll heat
India faces a packed election year in 2026. Assembly polls are set for Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Puducherry. Major states like Maharashtra and Karnataka will also hold urban local body elections. Additionally, Rajya Sabha elections will see changes in the Upper House composition. This electoral activity will shape the political landscape significantly.
Railways To Launch First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Guwahati And Howrah In January 2026
The districts benefitted by the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam State, and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal State.
Bengal SIR: ECI seeks Oriya interpreters for four gram panchayats
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been compelled to engage Oriya interpreters-cum-translators for four gram panchayats two each under the Dantan and Mohanpur community development blocks in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, for hearings on claims and objections related to the draft voters list. This is because the majority of 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 .
West Bengal SIR: Unusual patterns in deleted electors list
Several areas show abnormal deletions in categories such as gender and for reasons such as deaths
Skydeck project is likely to come up in west Bengaluru
Approached HC 104 times to hold rallies in West Bengal: BJP leader
Suvendu Adhikari said that interventions by the Calcutta High Court were necessary because the police routinely denied permission purely to stifle opposition voices and crush democratic rights
Trinamool MP Ritabrata flagsseriouscrisisin West Bengals jute industry; seeks Centres intervention
The MP said that mills were closing down due to unaffordable raw material costs
SachetParamparas car windshield smashed after NYE concert
What was meant to be a celebratory end to 2025 took a troubling turn for singercomposer duo SachetParampara after their New Years Eve performance in Balurghat, West Bengal. As Sachet Tandon and Parampara Thakur attempted to leave the venue, a large crowd surrounded their vehicle, leading to a chaotic situation that culminated in the cars rear windshield being smashed.
Drifting quick-sands of Bengal politics: Can Mamata hold fort?
Didi is now resorting to temple run to woo back Bengali Hindus By Anjan Roy West Bengal is witnessing hectic political manoeuvring by leading political figures, even though the assembly elections are a clear six months away at least. One of these, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was once a stalwart of the Congress, [] The post Drifting quick-sands of Bengal politics: Can Mamata hold fort? appeared first on Northlines .
Jadavpur University Student Says She Was Asked To Remove Hijab, Panel Probes
The West Bengal Minorities Commission has initiated an inquiry into allegations that a hijab-wearing student of Jadavpur University was asked to remove her headscarf during an English examination on December 22 on suspicion of cheating.
PM Modi to soon flag off first Vande Bharat sleeper train
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon flag off Indias first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Kolkata and Guwahati, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, Vaishnaw said the fares of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah in West Bengal and Guwahati in Assam will be substantially lower 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 .
Hindu refugees from Bangladesh will be most affected by SIR in West Bengal: CPI(M) leader
I am in favour of the SIR. But this is a huge and quite challenging task. To make it more foolproof and precise, more time should have been allocated, says Senior CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed confidence in West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, stating the BJP's conspiracy would fail. He also predicted the BJP's defeat in Uttar Pradesh in 2027, while criticizing UP CM Yogi Adityanath over voter list revisions.
Worry about Bengal, says Amit Shah to scribe on his retirement
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, December 31, thwarted a question on retirement and asked the media to focus on the West Bengal Assembly election instead. During a press conference in Kolkata, a journalist asked Shah The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a rule where leaders who turn 75 years of age must give 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 .
Presumed dead, elderly UP man resurfaces to collect documents for SIR
Muzaffarnagar: After nearly three decades of silence, a septuagenarian man long presumed dead by his family returned to his hometown, Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar district to collect documents for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, where he is settled for the past many years. Sharif Ahmad (79), who had gone missing since 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 .
Indias Nov tea output drops 16% on adverse weather
Major states Assam, West Bengal see a dip in output, while Tamil Nadu bucks the trend
Multiple reports of serious anomalies in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process being unilaterally conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in West Bengal have come to light; exclusion of Matuas, immigrants from erstwhile east Bengal, is only one of them.
Bengal SIR: OBC certificates issued after 2010 invalid for hearings, says ECI
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010 earlier scrapped by the Calcutta High Court will not be treated as valid supporting identity documents during the ongoing hearing sessions on claims and objections to the draft electoral roll 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 .
Will not bow before 'malevolent forces': CM Mamata on 28th TMC foundation day
The TMC steps into the threshold of a decisive election year, with the West Bengal Assembly polls barely a few months away
Nandini Chakraborty Appointed West Bengal Chief Secretary, First Bengali Woman To Hold The Post
Chakraborty succeeds Manoj Pant, who has been reassigned as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
New Year bank holiday January 1, 2026: Are banks open or closed today on New Years Day?
Banks will observe closures in select Indian states on January 1, 2026, for New Year's Day and Gaan-Ngai. While most banks will operate normally, account holders in Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, West Bengal, and Meghalaya should verify branch timings before visiting due to regional holidays.
Won't tolerate intimidation of staff by political workers, says EC
The Election Commission has issued a stern warning against the intimidation of electoral staff by political workers, vowing stringent action. Following a meeting with a TMC delegation, the poll panel urged parties to prevent their representatives from threatening election duty personnel. The EC also pressed the West Bengal government to release enhanced honorariums for Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
West Bengal gets its first female Chief Secretary as Nandini Chakravorty
NandiniChakravorty, who was in charge of States Home and Hill Affairs Department replaced Manoj Pant as the Chief Secretary who superannuated on December 31
Will protect Waqf properties in West Bengal, Mamata assures through newspaper advertisement
The half-page advertisements published in major national and vernacular dailies states that the West Bengal Government continues to oppose the new Waqf Amendment Act
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee says EC didn't address party's concerns
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of ignoring party concerns regarding West Bengal's electoral roll revision. Banerjee stated the party will not accept the final voter list if it contains discrepancies and will pursue legal recourse. He alleged vote theft occurs through voter lists, not EVMs.
Nandini Chakravorty Appointed West Bengal's First Woman Chief Secretary
Nandini Chakravorty was appointed on Wednesday as the chief secretary of West Bengal, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the state, a senior official said.
Vote Theft Happening In Bengal: TMCs Abhishek Banerjee Attacks Poll Body Over SIR, BJP Hits Back
Abhishek Banerjee accused the Election Commission of selectively targeting West Bengal and conspiring to malign the state by raising what he called the ogey of infiltration.
Poll Body Slams Complaints Against Officials Over 'SIR Deaths' In Bengal
The Election Commission rejected the police complaints that were filed against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal over the death of an elderly person allegedly linked to SIR.
Nandini Chakravorty Becomes Bengals First Woman Chief Secretary, Outgoing CS Named Mamatas Aide
Nandini Chakravorty becomes the first woman Chief Secretary of West Bengal, succeeding Manoj Pant, who is now Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
BJP to focus on winning Telangana and Karnataka after assembly polls
Hyderabad: After the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, the BJP leadership will focus on winning Telangana and Karnataka, where the Congress is in power, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said on Wednesday. Our goal is a Congress-mukt Bharat by winning Telangana and Karnataka, Sanjay Kumar, Union Minister of State for 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 .
The Election Commission of India has ordered the West Bengal government to release enhanced honorariums for Booth Level Officers. The commission also warned against intimidating election staff. Polling stations will be established in diverse locations to ensure voter access. This comes amid a dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state.
West Bengal Election 2026: Will BJP's infiltration card click in border districts?
Will BJP's infiltration pitch shape West Bengal Election 2026? Amit Shah targets Mamata Banerjee over Bangladesh-border security. Can polarisation influence 128 seats and Matua voting trends?
2025: The year of BJP's electoral dominance
In 2025, the BJP cemented its position in the political landscape, claiming victories in both Delhi and Bihar. As the party gears up for 2026, it will confront challenging assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. The upcoming contests are pivotal, revealing strategic insights and hurdles that the BJP must navigate.
Our Concerns Not Cleared by EC, CEC Acted Aggressively: Abhishek Banerjee
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee criticized the Election Commission for not addressing concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls in West Bengal, stating that discrepancies in the final voter list will not be accepted.
Shah outlines BJP action plan for Bengal polls, projects Dilip Ghosh as key face
Union Home Minister Amit Shah held the meeting to take stock of the BJP West Bengal unit's preparedness for the Assembly polls next year, a State leader said
Shah meets BJP public representatives in Kolkata, invites backbencher Dilip Ghosh for talks
Kolkata, Dec 31: Continuing on his agenda to take stock of the BJP West Bengal units preparedness for the assembly polls scheduled early next year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a meeting with the partys public representatives, past and present, at a hotel in Salt Lake here. The partys former state president, Dilip Ghosh, who has largely stayed away from the forefront of BJPs activities in the state over the past several months, was also invited to [] The post Shah meets BJP public representatives in Kolkata, invites backbencher Dilip Ghosh for talks appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
West Bengal in 2025: a year of religious polarisation
If year 2024 was the year of the protests over the gruesome rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkatas R.G. Kar Medical College, the year 2025 saw an increase in politics of polarisation with construction of a temple, foundation stone for a mosque, and communal riots in Murshidabad
Quick delivery apps Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit and other platforms are a lifeline for those dependent on last-minute delivery. However, on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025, many people might have to face inconvenience as gig workers of many of these delivery ecommerce platforms and food delivery apps are on strike. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) will lead the strike, which is supported by multiple regional players. Worker unions from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and parts of Tamil Nadu have also announced the strike.
Bengal shivers under cold spell; Kolkata records seasons coldest night of 2025
West Bengal is experiencing severe cold. Minimum temperatures have dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in many areas. The sub-Himalayan districts will continue to face this chill for another week. Light rain or snow is forecast for Darjeeling. South Bengal citizens can expect some relief soon. Morning fog is also predicted across the state.
West Bengal 2025: SIR, Bangladesh unrest and road to Assembly polls next year
Kolkata: As West Bengal edged closer to the assembly polls due next year, 2025 unfolded as a year in which the mechanics of voting, border anxieties and sharpening communal lines eclipsed governance, turning the SIR of electoral rolls and cross-border unrest into the states defining political battlegrounds. If the Lok Sabha elections verdict of 2024 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 .
West Bengal 2025: SIR, identity politics and Bangladesh unrest shape road to Assembly polls
Bangladesh unrest, migrant detentions, Murshidabad clashes and school job cancellations heightened polarisation in the State
West Bengal 2025: SIR, identity politics, B'desh unrest and road to Assembly polls next year
Year Ender 2025: West Bengal's politics in 2025 focused on electoral rolls and border issues. Migrant detentions and unrest in Bangladesh fueled political debates. The Election Commission's voter list revision unsettled many, especially in border areas. The TMC highlighted Bengali identity, while the BJP pushed national security. Communal tensions also rose, shaping the state's political mood ahead of the 2026 polls.
SIR hearing: Complaint filed against CEC after elderly man dies due to fear
Kolkata: A complaint was filed against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and West Bengals Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal at a police station in the Purulia district on Tuesday, police said. The complaint was lodged by the family of an individual named Durjan Majhi who died by suicide on Monday, allegedly due 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 .
West Bengal is under a severe cold wave. Dense fog and falling temperatures are disrupting daily life. Air quality has worsened significantly. Kolkata recorded its coldest December morning. Sub-Himalayan districts are experiencing even lower temperatures. Light snowfall is possible in higher reaches. Fog is expected to persist, impacting travel by air, rail, and road.
If infiltrators in West Bengal, who attacked Delhi, Pahalgam, asks Didi
Mamata Banerjee hits back at Amit Shahs remarks on infiltration, says they are lying blatantly
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She questioned his claims about infiltrators in Bengal and alleged widespread deletion of voter names. Banerjee accused Shah of bringing 'Duryodhan' and 'Dushasana' to the state during elections. She stated that her government has provided land for projects but work remains incomplete.
Amit Shah targets Mamata Banerjee government over infiltration
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that a change of government in West Bengal is vital to curb infiltration, which he described as a national security threat. He accused the Trinamool Congress of misrule and using infiltrators as a vote bank, while assuring the Matua community that their voting rights under the CAA will be protected.
EC eyes polling booths in large housing complexes in West Bengal
Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti met district election officers from eight West Bengal districts to review plans for setting up polling stations in high-rise and gated housing complexes with at least 300 residents, lowering the earlier threshold of 500 residents.
Notices of hearings have already been sent to several elderly persons as well as persons with disabilities in The State.
Amit Shah is a flop astrologer: TMC's Kunal Ghosh predicts BJP's loss in upcoming WB Assembly polls
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh has sharply criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Ghosh called Shah a 'flop astrologer' regarding his predictions for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. He stated the BJP will not secure more than 30 seats.
SIR a scam being conducted using AI, alleges Mamata
Bankura (WB), Dec 30: Claiming that the SIR was a huge scam being conducted with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her TMC will gherao the Election Commissions office in Delhi if the name of a single legitimate voter is deleted from the rolls. Addressing a rally in Bankura district, Banerjee said people of the state were being tortured in the name of SIR. Around 60 people have died due to SIR. [] The post SIR a scam being conducted using AI, alleges Mamata appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Mamata Abetting Infiltration For Poll Benefits; Bengals Demography Changed, Alleges Shah
KOLKATA, Dec 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of facilitating infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral gains, alleging that the practice has dangerously changed the states demography over the past few years. Addressing a press conference here, Shah said infiltration has become a major concern among the [] The post Mamata Abetting Infiltration For Poll Benefits; Bengals Demography Changed, Alleges Shah appeared first on Northlines .
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday vowed to gherao the Election Commission's office in Delhi if the name of a single legitimate voter is deleted from the final electoral roll after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. Addressing a rally in Bankura district, Banerjee said people of the state were being ortured in the name of SIR. Around 60 people have died due to SIR. Elderly people are being called for document verification hearings, she said. If even a single legitimate voter's name is deleted, the TMC will gherao the office of the Election Commission in Delhi, she asserted. Calling the SIR a huge scam being conducted with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), Banerjee said that the people of the state would not tolerate such harassment. People will not allow BJP to come to power in West Bengal, she stated. The CM also slammed the BJP for alleged attacks against Bengali migrant workers in the states ruled by the party. Banerjee said that while the BJP promises to build a sonar Bangla whenever elections approach, in reality, people who speak Bengali are beaten up in states where it rules. More than 58 lakh voters were deleted from the draft rolls published on December 16, after the initial phase of SIR in the state. Out of the 7.6 crore total voters, the EC has also raised speculation regarding the genuineness of about 1.66 crore voters, who have been called for hearing to verify their documents again. In a letter to the West Bengal CEO, the WBCS (Executive) Officers' Association has raised objections to what it termed suo-motu system-driven deletion of voters in the draft electoral rolls, bypassing the statutory role of electoral registration officers (ERO). The act of system-driven deletion of so many electors, all at once, appears to infringe upon the natural rights of electors who might well be otherwise eligible under existing provisions of the law, yet for some reasons or other, could not be present during the enumeration process, the letter said. (With inputs from PTI)
SIR a huge scam using AI, alleges Mamata
If even a single legitimate voter's name is deleted, the TMC will gherao the office of the Election Commission in Delhi, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
SIR a huge scam using AI, alleges Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has labeled the SIR a significant scam, alleging it uses artificial intelligence. She stated that her party, TMC, will protest at the Election Commission's Delhi office if any genuine voter is removed from the electoral rolls.
Tata Power arm, Bengal Chamber sign pact to boost rooftop solar adoption among MSMEs in state
Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited has joined hands with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This partnership aims to promote rooftop solar solutions for micro, small, and medium enterprises in West Bengal. The initiative will involve awareness programs to encourage the shift to cleaner energy. Tata Power Solaroof has already installed significant rooftop solar capacity in the state.
If BJP Comes To Power, We Will Free Bengal Of Infiltrators: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the first task of the BJP will be to rid West Bengal of infiltrators if the party comes to power in the state following the Assembly elections next year.
West Bengal Police Constable Result Out, 60,170 Candidates Qualified For Physical Tests
West Bengal Police Constable Result: The WBPRB has released the Police Constable 2025 result, 60,170 candidates have qualified.
Mamata Banerjee Condoles Khaleda Zia's Death
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of former Bangladesh PM Begum Khaleda Zia.
Mamata supports infiltration for electoral benefit, alleges Amit Shah
The demography of West Bengal is changing dangerously. Infiltration is not a problem affecting West Bengal, but it is a matter of national security, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Mamata abetting infiltration for electoral benefit, alleges Shah
KOLKATA, Dec 30: Alleging that the Mamata Banerjee Government in West Bengal was abetting infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral benefit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that the BJP will drive out illegal immigrants once it comes to power in the state. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said people of West Bengal were anxious over infiltration. We will not only identify infiltrators, but well also drive them out, he said. Shah said the Centre has not [] The post Mamata abetting infiltration for electoral benefit, alleges Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Amit Shah targets TMC over corruption, says BJP will form government in West Bengal in 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal. He alleged the state suffers from fear, corruption, and misgovernance. Shah predicted the BJP will form the next government in 2026 with a significant majority. He promised to address infiltration and revive development and welfare measures for the poor.
Give BJP a chance, says Amit Shah; promises to end corruption, infiltration in Bengal
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday the people of West Bengal to give the BJP a chance to govern the state, asserting that the party would replace fear, corruption, and misgovernance with good governance. Addressing press at Kolkata, Shah projected BJP as the alternative to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and other parties that have governed Bengal in the past. Shah accused TMC chief Mamata Banerjee of abetting infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral benefit and said his party would not only identify infiltrators but also drive them out. We will not only identify infiltrators, but we'll also drive them out. Bengal will have a new BJP government after April 15, 2026, as people have made up their minds, he said. He also blamed the state government for delaying the fencing of the Bangladesh border, claiming that the West Bengal government was not providing the required land. Highlighting economic concerns, Shah alleged that West Bengal has witnessed an unprecedented slide in its economy and that industries have fled due to misgovernance. Shah alleged that the TMC has surpassed the Left in establishing the politics of fear and violence. It was believed that the politics of violence and revenge would end once the Communists were defeated, but they have surpassed even the Communists. So far, more than 300 BJP workers have been killed. Over 3,000 BJP workers have still not been able to return to their homes. They are being pressured that they will be allowed there only if they carry the TMC flag, he alleged. Shah said top TMC leaders have been to jails on charges of swindling public money, with machines to count cash recovered from their homes malfunctioning because of overheating. People of Bengal have resolved to replace fear, corruption and misgovernance with good governance, he said. Projecting BJPs plans for the future, Shah promised that the party would stop infiltration from eastern borders and ensure the revitalization of Bengal once it comes to power. He confidently predicted a BJP government in West Bengal by 2026. VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: Addressing a press conference, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ( @AmitShah ) says, Infiltration happening through Bengal borders is not an issue limited only to Bengal, it is now a matter of national security. We have to save the country's culture. If pic.twitter.com/4uQScNU6Ze Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2025
Bengal will have BJP government in 2026, claims Amit Shah in Kolkata
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that West Bengal will have a BJP government in 2026, promising a transformation from what he described as fear, corruption and misgovernance to good governance. Addressing press in Kolkata, Shah said the people of Bengal have resolved to embrace change and development under the BJP. Shah alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is abetting infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral gain. He added that the BJP will not only identify infiltrators but also take steps to drive them out, emphasizing that the party aims to stop infiltration from eastern borders once in power. Shah also slammed the state government for obstructing border security measures, claiming that the fencing of the Bangladesh border could not be completed because the West Bengal administration has refused to provide land. Reiterating BJPs commitment to Bengals development, Shah said, BJP will ensure the revitalisation of Bengal, bringing good governance and progress to the state. VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: Addressing a press conference, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ( @AmitShah ) says, Infiltration happening through Bengal borders is not an issue limited only to Bengal, it is now a matter of national security. We have to save the country's culture. If pic.twitter.com/4uQScNU6Ze Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds press conference in Kolkata, West Bengal
An 82 year old man died hours before his scheduled hearing in Purulia, while two others passed away after receiving notices, as queues and anxiety marked the third day of hearings. Several elderly and vulnerable voters across West Bengal faced distress while attending Special Intensive Revision hearings for electoral rolls.
West Bengal polls important, people ready for change: Dilip Ghosh on Amit Shah's visit
West Bengal Assembly elections are approaching and are seen as crucial. Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh believes people are ready for change. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visits are credited with strengthening the BJP's base and boosting worker morale. Shah is meeting with state BJP leaders to review preparedness and strategy for the upcoming polls.
West Bengal Police has announced the Constable and Lady Constable written exam results for 2024-2025. Over 60,000 candidates have been shortlisted for the upcoming Physical Measurement and Efficiency Tests, scheduled to commence from January 8, 2026. Admit cards for these physical tests will be available for download from January 2, 2026.
Bengal CM lays foundation stone of Dura Angan at New Town, billed to be biggest such shrine
KOLKATA, Dec 29 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today laid the foundation stone of Durga Angan, billed to be the biggest such shrine in the world, to be built on a 17.28 acre of land opposite Eco Park in New Town, the eastern part of the city, at an estimated cost of Rs 262 crore. Describing the laying of foundation stone of Durga Angan, a historic to perpetuate and preserve UNESCO recognised heritage Durga Puja, Ms Banerjee said [] The post Bengal CM lays foundation stone of Dura Angan at New Town, billed to be biggest such shrine appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Amit Shah to visit West Bengal for three days ahead of 2026 polls
Between December 29 and December 31, Mr Shah is also expected to chair several meetings with the State unit of the BJP and review the partys roadmap and preparedness for the upcoming elections
ECI halts hearings for unmapped voters in Bengal, exempts seniors, PWDs and pregnant women
KOLKATA: In a fresh directive, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed district magistrates (DMs), serving as district electoral officers (DEOs) for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, not to issue notices for hearings to voters identified as unmapped. The ECI has also exempted voters aged 85 or above, as well as persons with disabilities (PWDs) and pregnant women, from appearing at hearing centres. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (WBCEO) Manoj Agarwal said, People who are 85 years or older, PWDs, and pregnant women of any age who have been served notices by the Commission need not come for hearings. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will contact them at their doorsteps to verify the documents required to include their names in the electoral rolls. Over 32 lakh voters who could not trace themselves, their parents, or grandparents in the electoral rolls during the last SIR in 2002 in Bengal had been asked to appear at hearings which began on 27 December. The ECI has paused hearings only for voters not found by its central software system but who were listed in the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls. This pause does not apply to unmapped cases flagged by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) after on-ground verification. Sources in Agarwals office clarified, Though hearing notices may have been generated from the central software system for such cases, these electors should not be called for hearings, and the notices should be retained by the ERO/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Officials noted that when poll authorities checked the hard copies of the 2002 rolls, they found that voters or their children marked as unmapped in the ECs software were actually present. In another development, the ECI has decided not to allow Booth Level Agents 2 (BLAs-2) of political parties inside hearing venues. The decision came after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly disrupted hearings in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district, demanding the entry of a BLA-2. He reportedly clashed with the block development officer (BDO) over the issue. On Sunday, Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress, had instructed party BLAs to remain inside camps during hearings and warned of legal action if they were denied entry. Asit Majumder argued that BLAs-2 are meant to assist voters facing issues during SIR hearings. I demanded a BLA-2 should be allowed inside the camp so that any genuine voters name is not wrongly deleted from the electoral rolls during hearings, he said.
Wholesale potato prices crash in West Bengal as farmers resort to distress sales
With the cold storage still holding over a months stock of potatoes, the wholesale price of the spud has witnessed around 50 per cent fall, resulting in a huge financial loss for the growers and traders of the tuber
Madhya Pradesh police on Monday questioned around 15 migrant workers and began verifying their documents after BJP members lodged a complaint alleging they were Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in India, reported PTI. According to police, the migrant workers were brought to the Malharganj police station for questioning after receiving the compaint. Their citizenship is being verified. If they are found to be residing illegally in India, appropriate legal action will be taken against them, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrikrishna Lalchandani told reporters. Another police official said Aadhaar cards recovered from these migrant workers carry addresses from different areas of West Bengal. We have learnt that these people were working as labourers in Indore. Their identity is being verified with the help of the West Bengal police, the DCP stated. Chandan Singh Bais, president of a local BJP mandal, claimed party workers came to know about illegal migrants in Indore during a survey conducted in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He claimed BJP activists checked Aadhaar cards of these people and that only four of these documents could be verified through a one-time password (OTP). We have demanded that all illegal Bangladeshi migrants be sent back to their country, he said. (With inputs from PTI)
ECI to discuss proposals for setting up polling stations in housing complexes in Bengal
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) may hold a meeting with electoral officers of Kolkata North, Kolkata South, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas electoral districts, along with the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and his officials, on Tuesday to discuss its earlier proposals for setting up polling stations inside private housing complexes with multiple high-rise buildings. Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) Gyanesh Bharti is reaching Kolkata from Delhi on Monday to hold the meeting at the office of state CEO Manoj Agarwal. Electoral officers (EOs) of Kolkata North, Kolkata South, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts are expected to be present, sources said. Sources in the ECI said the Commission is keen to set up polling stations inside housing societies as around 10 per cent of voters reside in multi-storied buildings in Kolkata and district towns across Bengal. It was alleged that voters living in housing complexes are reluctant to cast their votes at polling stations located outside due to fear of poll-related violence. That is why the Commission has been showing interest in setting up polling booths inside housing complexes so that residents can cast their mandates in elections, a source said, requesting anonymity. Earlier, the national poll body had pulled up district magistrates (DMs), who also function as district electoral officers (DEOs), for remaining inactive on its proposals related to polling stations inside private housing complexes. On December 10, the ECI had written to Agarwal, directing him to take immediate steps in this regard. As per its guidelines, the Commission had instructed DEOs to conduct extensive house-to-house (H2H) surveys for setting up polling stations in high-rise or group housing societies, RWA colonies with common facilitation areas or community halls on the ground floor within the premises, and slum dwelling clusters in urban areas. The Commission had also directed DEOs to finalise proposals for new polling stations after obtaining its prior approval. According to the Commissions directive, the final report was to be completed by December 31 so that electoral registration officers (EROs) could update the control table on ECINet. In a strongly worded communication to the office of the West Bengal CEO, the Commission had threatened strong action against DMs and DEOs for failing to submit proposals for setting up polling booths inside high-rise housing complexes. The Commission has taken a very serious view of the failure on the part of DEOs in the performance of their statutory duty as laid down under Section 25 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Section 160 of the said Act. DEOs are also liable under these provisions for any lack of sufficiency of polling stations for electors in the specified residential colonies, the ECI cautioned in its letter. The Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have opposed the ECIs proposal to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes. Last month, the Chief Minister wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar objecting to the proposal for the Assembly polls scheduled next year. This proposal is deeply problematic. Polling stations have always been, and must remain, located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality. Private buildings are typically avoided for clear reasons: they compromise fairness, violate established norms, and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public the haves and have-nots, Banerjee wrote.
People wrongly accuse me of appeasement; I am secular in true sense, says Mamata Banerjee
The West Bengal CM was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Durga Angan, a cultural complex dedicated to Goddess Durga, at New Town in Kolkata
Women protesters damage election observers car during SIR hearing in West Bengal
KOLKATA: A Special Roll Observer's (SRO) car was attacked at Sirakol in South 24 Parganas district on Monday. The attack took place hardly 24 hours after Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), asked his partys Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to ensure that not a single bona fide voters name was removed from the final electoral rolls following the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The vehicle of C Murugan, an IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as SRO, was attacked by a group of agitating women this afternoon while he was coming out of a hearing camp near the office of a Block Development Officer (BDO). The handle lock of the car was badly damaged during the incident. The agitators, mostly women, were protesting against the ongoing SIR exercise and the Centres decision to withhold funds for the job guarantee scheme under MGNREGA. They slapped the vehicle and prevented it from leaving the area. Police managed to bring the situation under control after about half an hour. The incident took place in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, which is represented by Abhishek Banerjee. I will not be cowed down by any kind of agitation as an IAS officer. The Election Commission has assigned me this responsibility, and I will carry out its instructions, Murugan told reporters at the spot. Opposition parties BJP and CPI(M) alleged that the agitators belonged to the Trinamool Congress and were instigated to attack the SRO following Abhishek Banerjees instructions issued on Sunday. Significantly, South 24 Parganas district has recorded the highest number of deletionsover eight lakh namesof voters who were found to be dead, permanently shifted elsewhere, or having multiple entries, following the SIR process in the state. BLAs should be present at the hearing centres. If officials of the Commission do not allow them, the party will take up the matter legally, Abhishek reportedly said at Sundays meeting, which was attended virtually by more than 1.2 lakh party workers and BLAs. In another significant development, the ECI on Monday decided not to allow Booth Level Agents-2 (BLA-2) of political parties inside hearing venues. The Commission took this step after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly disrupted a hearing process in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district on Monday, demanding entry of a BLA-2 inside the venue. He was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with the concerned BDO over the issue.
Zomato, Swiggy and other delivery workers on strike on Dec 31: All you need to know
The delivery workers across major e-commerce platforms, including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto and Amazon, have announced a nationwide strike on December 31, affecting the celebration on New Year's Eve. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) will lead the strike, which is reportedly backed by multiple regional collectives, including platform worker unions from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and parts of Tamil Nadu.
EC bars hearing notices for unmapped voters in Bengal; disallows party BLAs at SIR hearings
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Monday, directed district magistrates (DMs), who have been assigned for the ongoing Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal as district electoral officers (DEOs) across the state, not to issue notices for hearings to voters identified as unmapped. More than 32 lakh voters who could not trace themselves, their parents, or grandparents in the electoral rolls during the last SIR in 2002 in Bengal have been asked to appear before the hearings, which kicked off on and from December 27. The national poll body paused the hearings only for voters who were not found by its central software system but were figured in the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls. However, the pause does not apply to unmapped cases flagged by electoral registration officers (EROs) after on-ground verification. According to sources in the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, Though hearing notices may have been generated from the central software system for such cases, these electors should not be called for hearing or hearing notices so generated in such cases need not be served, and instead be kept with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Officials explained that when poll authorities working on the ground checked the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls, they noticed that voters or their children shown as unmapped on the ECs software were present in the physical records. On the other hand, in another significant development, the ECI on Monday decided not to allow Booth Level Agents-2 (BLAs-2) of political parties inside the venue of hearings. The Commission was prompted to take this step after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly stopped the hearing process in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district on Monday, demanding the entry of a BLA-2 inside the venue. He reportedly got involved in a heated exchange with the concerned block development officer (BDO) over the issue. On Sunday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, had asked party BLAs to remain inside camps during hearings. He also threatened legal action if BLAs were not allowed during the hearings. Asit Majumder said BLAs-2 are meant to assist voters if they face problems during SIR hearings. I demanded that a BLA-2 should be allowed inside the camp so that no genuine voters name is deleted from the electoral rolls during hearings, he said.
EC bars hearing notices for 'unmapped' voters in Bengal; disallows party BLAs at SIR hearings
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Monday, directed district magistrates (DMs), who have been assigned for the ongoing Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal as district electoral officers (DEOs) across the state, not to issue notices for hearings to voters identified as unmapped. More than 32 lakh voters who could not trace themselves, their parents, or grandparents in the electoral rolls during the last SIR in 2002 in Bengal have been asked to appear before the hearings, which kicked off on and from December 27. The national poll body paused the hearings only for voters who were not found by its central software system but were figured in the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls. However, the pause does not apply to unmapped cases flagged by electoral registration officers (EROs) after on-ground verification. According to sources in the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, Though hearing notices may have been generated from the central software system for such cases, these electors should not be called for hearing or hearing notices so generated in such cases need not be served, and instead be kept with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Officials explained that when poll authorities working on the ground checked the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls, they noticed that voters or their children shown as unmapped on the ECs software were present in the physical records. On the other hand, in another significant development, the ECI on Monday decided not to allow Booth Level Agents-2 (BLAs-2) of political parties inside the venue of hearings. The Commission was prompted to take this step after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly stopped the hearing process in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district on Monday, demanding the entry of a BLA-2 inside the venue. He reportedly got involved in a heated exchange with the concerned block development officer (BDO) over the issue. On Sunday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, had asked party BLAs to remain inside camps during hearings. He also threatened legal action if BLAs were not allowed during the hearings. Asit Majumder said BLAs-2 are meant to assist voters if they face problems during SIR hearings. I demanded that a BLA-2 should be allowed inside the camp so that no genuine voters name is deleted from the electoral rolls during hearings, he said. Mazumdar also launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of acting like zamindars and agents of the BJP. He questioned why people holding Indian passports or those who had served in the armed forces were being asked to appear for verification. Calling the process oppressive and unjust, he said the hearings were being used to target genuine citizens and demanded greater transparency, arguing that BLAs must be present so voters are clearly informed about the reasons for any proposed deletion of their names. Party spokesperson and state president of the AITC social media and IT cell, Debangshu Bhattacharya, said BLAs should be allowed as many people are not capable of understanding the reasons why their names might be deleted from the voter list without proper explanation.
Is death of 33 BLOs okay? Sibal takes dig at govt
NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at the government on Monday over the death of booth-level officers in various parts of the country engaged in the SIR exercise, asking whether the presence of one alleged infiltrator was not okay, but the death of BLOs was okay. Sibal's remarks came a day after a Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found dead in West Bengal's Bankura district, triggering allegations that work-related pressure linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls may have played a role. Yet another suicide by a Bengal BLO. Total pan-India: 33. If one alleged 'ghuspetia (infiltrator)', that's not OK, if 33 BLOs die, is that Ok? Sibal said in a post on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said last month that the government would throw out infiltrators from the country and alleged that some political parties are opposing the SIR exercise as they want the names of infiltrators to remain on the electoral rolls. The latest death of a BLO occurred in the Ranibandh block of West Bengal, where the body of Haradhan Mandal was recovered from a school premises on Sunday morning. The police said they found a suicide note. Mandal was a schoolteacher and served as the BLO of Booth No. 206 under the Rajakata area of Ranibandh block, a police officer said. According to the officer, a note bearing the deceased's signature was recovered from the spot, in which he reportedly referred to being unable to cope with work pressure as a BLO. The BLOs play a major role in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The EC conducted SIR in Bihar in the first phase, and the exercise is underway in 12 states and Union territories in the second phase.
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Is death of 33 BLOs okay? MP Kapil Sibal takes dig at government
Mr. Sibal's remarks came a day after a Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found dead in West Bengal's Bankura district, triggering allegations that work-related pressure linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
Amit Shah to start three-day visit to West Bengal tonight to charge up BJP ahead of polls
KOLKATA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit West Bengal from tonight to charge up the BJPs organisational machinery ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, scheduled for AprilMay next year. The home minister is expected to arrive at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport tonight and will remain in the state for three days. During his visit, he is slated to attend a series of organisational meetings with the BJPs Bengal leadership unit in phases. After landing at the airport, the Home Minister will head straight to the BJP office in Salt Lake, where he will review the partys organisational preparedness for the Assembly elections, according to sources in the saffron camp. Sources further said, We had a plan to organise a rally where Amitji would be requested to address the crowd but he prefers to hold organisational meetings with our party leadership, including our MPs, MLAs and others during his stay for three days till Wednesday. He wants to focus on our partys organisational set-ups this time in the wake of assembly polls scheduled in the state after few months. He may also be interested in getting some important inputs at the backdrop against when the state is reeling under the Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls exercise since 4 November, a source said, requesting anonymity. Apart from the SIR issue, another significant concern is the Matua community , whose names have reportedly been excluded from voters lists in districts such as Nadia and North 24 Parganas -- two key BJP strongholds -- following the first phase of the ongoing electoral roll revisions. On Wednesday, unprecedented violence between two rival Matua groups , aligned with BJP MP and Union Minister of Shipping Shantanu Thakur and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mamatabala Thakur, rocked Thakurnagar, the administrative headquarters of the Matua community. The unrest followed the deletion of nearly one lakh Matua voters from the electoral rolls. The violence was triggered after a comment made by Shantanu, the BJP MP from Bongaon constituency in North 24 Parganas, last Monday night, stating that the names of nearly one lakh Matuas could be excluded from the draft electoral rolls and that sacrifice was necessary to disenfranchise 50 lakh Muslims. The remark fuelled fresh anxiety within the Matua community and intensified political confrontation in Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled next year. Several hundred Matuas belonging to the Mamatabala group took out a protest procession and marched to the Union Ministers residence in Thakurnagar, demanding clarification over the comment. Deletions of such a huge number of Matua voters ahead of the assembly polls appear to be a bone of contentions to the BJP who had enjoyed a phenomenal rise with Matua vote banks since 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the party had bagged 18 seats from Bengal. Thats why, Matua issue must be there as one of the prime agendas in Amit Shahs meetings with his party leaders, a political analyst said. Anxiety, long queues as 32 lakh unmapped voters attend SIR hearings across West Bengal
Digha Jagannath temple draws one crore devotees within eight months of inauguration
KOLKATA: The Jagannath Mandir at Digha in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district has received 1 crore visitors within just eight months of inauguration, temple authorities said on Monday. Kakoli Jana, a girl from Kolkata's Tollygunge area, became the one croreth visitor on Sunday. She and her family were accorded special 'darshan' and presented with 'mahaprasad' and other sacred offerings by the temple authorities. Chief priest and trustee of Jagannath Dham, Digha, Radharamn Das said the milestone reflected the growing global appeal of Lord Jagannath and the inclusive spirit of the temple. The arrival of the one-croreth devotee is not just a numerical achievement but a reflection of the universal embrace of Lord Jagannath, he said, adding that the temple has become a meeting point of devotees from different countries and cultures. Das acknowledged the role of the West Bengal government in developing the shrine, saying the initiative has helped strengthen the state's spiritual heritage while generating economic activity for local communities. Since its inauguration on April 30 this year, Digha, traditionally known as a seasonal beach destination, has witnessed year-round footfall, boosting demand for hotels, transport services, eateries and small businesses, and creating employment opportunities for locals. The temple has rapidly emerged as a major spiritual destination in eastern India, drawing devotees from across the country as well as a large number of foreign pilgrims, including members of the ISKCON community from several countries. Temple authorities said devotees from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australia and several Asian countries are now a regular presence at the shrine, underlining Digha's growing stature as an international pilgrimage centre.
Insider track | NIA boss wanted, CVs welcome
The race to find the next National Investigation Agency chief has picked up pace after DG Sadanand Vasant Date was sent back to his home cadre. The 1990-batch officer, feted for his role during 26/11, is now widely tipped to take over as Maharashtra DGP. Names are now being tossed around in closed-door meetings for his successor. Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Kumar Dekas name did surface, despite him already enjoying two extensions till June 2026. But the mood in government circles favours a 1994-batch officer with solid anti-terror credentials. Several Special DGs in paramilitary forces exist on paper, but none seem to have made the cut. R&AW officers are also being kept out, with continuity preferred amid a fast-changing geopolitical backdrop. Spotlight on Bengals new variable As West Bengal heads toward the 2026 Assembly elections, political attention is turning to Humayun Kabir. The suspended TMC leader, now leading his Janata Unnayana Party, is drawing crowds, particularly among Muslim voters, and plans to contest every Muslim-majority seatincluding TMC strongholds like Ballygunge. Delhi circles are debating whether Kabir could play a role similar to AIMIM in Bihar, splitting the opposition vote and indirectly helping the BJP. While the saffron party remains publicly quiet, opposition leaders worry that Kabirs rise could chip away at the TMCs support more than challenge the BJP. With a new political dynamic emerging, his presence is set to reshape the electoral landscape and make several closely fought constituencies more unpredictable in 2026. Pay panel without a pay office The 8th Central Pay Commission has been announced, named, and chaired, but it still doesnt know where to sit. More than a month after its constitution under former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the commission has not been allotted office space. This is despite a looming deadline, as the 7th Pay Commission expires on December 31, 2025, with revised salaries due from January 1, 2026. Though the panel has an 18-month window to submit recommendations, it hasnt formally begun work. Whispers in bureaucratic corridors suggest the delay is tactical: a pay award announcement closer to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections, followed by payouts with arrears nearer the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, could be politically convenient. Extension denied, contract supplied The Centre may have said no, but UPs Yogi Adityanath government has proved that administrative detours are always available. After the Union Home Ministry rejected the proposal to extend Prashant Kumars tenure as DGP, the state quietly brought him back on a three-year contract. The 1990-batch retired IPS officer is the new chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission, which handles recruitment for secondary and higher education teachers. The timing is telling, with the state keeping a close watch on the 2027 Assembly elections. The UPESSC itself is a relatively new creation, formed in 2024 by merging two education recruitment bodies. The message from Lucknow is unmistakable: denial in Delhi does not always mean retirement at home. CWC meets, pens nearly fly The Congress Working Committee meeting had more sparks than planned, and not all of them came from Digvijay Singhs comments on the RSS and BJP. A pointed exchange between Shashi Tharoor and party spokesperson Pawan Khera also raised eyebrows. Tharoor reportedly pressed Khera to detail his public allegations about goings-on in the Prime Ministers Office, linked to claims involving former IAS officer Navneet Sehgal. Khera is said to have explained his position during the meeting, but his parting quip Why dont you also write about it? didnt go unnoticed. Some leaders saw it as a swipe at Tharoors prolific writing and social media posts praising Prime Minister Modi, which have made sections of the party visibly uncomfortable.
