West Bengal Congress Invites Applications for Urban Body Elections
The West Bengal Congress is inviting applications from party workers for upcoming urban body elections, aiming for a democratic candidate selection process. West Bengal Congress Invites Applications for Urban Body Elections
RTO, Tout Held For Rs 90k Bribe Get Jail Custody Till Oct 12 In Kolkata
West Bengal: Governor RN Ravi says state is determined to create a golden Bengal
West Bengal Governor RN Ravi emphasized the state's commitment to creating a golden Bengal and improving Durga Puja celebrations. The Chief Minister announced financial assistance for puja committees while encouraging larger ones to forgo the funds for rural celebrations. A record number of new pujas are being organized this year, reflecting cultural heritage and community spirit. Events will take place across the state, boosting local traditions.
West Bengals BJP government kicks off first Durga Puja celebration with mega event at Eden Gardens
Chief Minister says Durga Pujas will now follow proper religious traditions, adding that 12,400 more community Durga Pujas are being organised in the State this year
Bengal permits 12,400 new Durga Pujas; 1 lakh grants to be disbursed soon
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said his government had granted permission for 12,400 new Durga Pujas this year and all of them had received financial assistance from the state. Speaking at a special programme marking the beginning of 'Debipaksha' at the Eden Gardens here, Adhikari said around 45,000 Durga Pujas were held in the state last year. Earlier, (during the previous government) to hold Durga Pujas, one had to approach the Calcutta High Court to get requisite permission. It was sad. I do not think there is a single such case this time. Compared to the number of Durga Pujas held in 2025, this year we have 12,400 new pujas, he said. In our Cabinet meeting, we decided that Durga Pujas will not commence during Pitripakkha, which is why we inaugurated it today during Debipokkho. We had decided that this year, besides the cultural aspects of the puja, we will also follow the customary rituals as per the traditional Hindu astrological almanac, Adhikari .
Optimistic about anti-goonda bill getting Centres nod soon: CM
Kolkata bars set to pass on Scotch price saving to you
SDF Building awaits fire and lift safety clearances since 2012
Rare Four-Graft Minimally Invasive CABG At Kolkata Hospital
Practically kidnapped: Mamata, TMC MPs detained in Delhi for nearly 4 hours
Tripura plans Rs 100 cr revival of Dumboor hydel plant
RPF rescues nine-year-old runaway boy from West Bengal at Mangaluru Central station
RPF rescues nine-year-old runaway boy from West Bengal at Mangaluru Central station
BJPs Samik Bhattacharya Claims CJP Movement is Anti-National
West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya accuses the CJP movement of being anti-national and backed by hostile forces. BJPs Samik Bhattacharya Claims CJP Movement is Anti-National
Police complaint filed against Abhishek Banerjee over 'misleading' Rejinagar bypoll post
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) A Returning Officer (RO), acting on behalf of the Election Commission of India (ECI), has lodged a police complaint against Trinamool Congress general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee over allegedly misleading information shared on social media regarding the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll results. On Friday, while the counting was underway, Abhishek Banerjee, also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed in a social media post that in a particular booth for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, the winning BJP candidate, Sakharav Sarkar, received more votes than the total number of registered voters at that particular booth. In the post, the Diamond Harbour MP claimed that at Booth No. 109 in Rejinagar, the BJP candidate secured 909 votes even though the total number of registered voters was 772. The district electoral officer (DEO) & district magistrate (DM) promptly issued a counter statement, rejecting the claims by Abhishek, and said that, as per the electoral roll for that polling station, the total number of registered electors was 1,109, of which 972 votes were polled across all candidates contesting in the Rejinagar bypoll. On Saturday, the concerned RO, on behalf of the ECI, registered a police complaint against Abhishek Banerjee at the Rejinagar Police Station. Both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are currently in New Delhi to participate in the movement by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Now, it remains to be seen whether the Diamond Harbour MP would be summoned to the Rejinagar Police Station for questioning in this matter. The bypolls for Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies in East Midnapore district of West Bengal were conducted on October 6, and the results were declared on October 9. The BJP candidates got elected from both constituencies with massive margins. The party increased its tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly to 209.
27 watershed projects in Bengal benefit 2.2 lakh farmers
9 months on, Sunalis son Apon still has no birth certificate
National Ranking TT: Mondal, Kalbhairav Emerge U-15 Champs
Himon Kumar Mondal from West Bengal and Tanishka Kalbhairav from Karnataka secured victories in the U-15 boys' and girls' categories, respectively, at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships held in Panchkula on Saturday. Mondal won a thrilling final against Rishaan Chattopadhyay, while Kalbhairav defeated Aarya Redkar.
Mamata Banerjee alleges Delhi Police 'kidnapped' her, holds protest at Dwarka North Police Station
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that Delhi Police detained her and five Trinamool Congress MPs and drove them around in a prison van for two hours amid protests in the capital. She began a dharna at Dwarka North Police Station, vowed to stay in Delhi and join the INDIA bloc's march on Monday.
Gurugram Encounter: Police Arrest Three, Seize Drugs
Gurugram police arrested three alleged criminals following an encounter in Sector 62 on Friday night. A police official and two accused sustained gunshot injuries during the shootout. The arrested individuals, identified as Marfat alias Maru, Phool Babu Sheikh, and Srikul Sheikh, all from West Bengal, had MDMA and firearms in their possession.
Tribal Affairs Ministry says 25 lakh titles distributed under Forest Rights Act
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) As many as 25 lakh titles have been distributed out of the 54 lakh claims received till August 31 under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), an official said on Saturday. Speaking at the Second Regional Review Conference on implementation of FRA in Kolkata, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), said on Friday that out of over 54 lakh claims received nationally, about 11 lakh claims still remain pending at different stages. The official said over 18 lakh claims have been rejected, noting that Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam account for substantial pendency concentrated in particular districts, according to a statement. He highlighted that the Regional Conference focuses on the following key priorities such as timely disposal of pending claims and review of rejected claims in accordance with the Act and Rules, reconciliation of FRA data, digitisation of FRA case records, incorporation of recognised rights into revenue and forest records, acceleration of recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights and Habitat Rights recognition for PVTGs. The Conference brought together senior functionaries of the Tribal Welfare, Revenue and Forest Departments and Tribal Research Institutes of eight States, namely West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, said the statement. Additionally, senior officials of Andhra Pradesh were invited to share the best practices the State has undertaken on digitisation, integration of FRA titles into government records, taking up proactive measures on convergence of livelihood schemes with FRA titleholders and providing credit facilities to the right holders, said the statement. District officials- Collectors, Sub-Collectors and ITDP/ITDA Project Officers- from districts having a large pendency of FRA claims also attended to review the status of implementation and deliberate on a coordinated way forward. The Conference follows the First Regional Review Conference held in Bengaluru on September 10 for the Southern States. Secretary, MoTA, said that the FRA places the rights, dignity and aspirations of forest-dwelling communities at the heart of inclusive and sustainable development. She emphasised that recognised rights must be incorporated into Revenue and Forest records with accurate maps and that convergence with programmes for productive land use, housing and livelihoods must become a regular part of implementation. The Director, FRA, MoTA, presented the national scenario, including pendency in high-pendency States and priority districts. Her presentation also covered the importance of incorporating the Record of Forest Rights into revenue and forest records in line with the Ministrys advisory of June 24, 2026 and Habitat Rights under the Ministrys guidelines of January 5, 2026.
BJPs Bengal chief calls CJP stir anti-national, alleges backing by hostile forces
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya alleged that the ongoing movement by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, was anti-national in nature and backed by anti-national forces. Every citizen in a democratic country has the right to protest. However, irrelevant forces are trying to become relevant using the present movement. Today's protest is out of frustration. The government is keeping an eye on the issue. Anti-national forces are working in masks. We also have definite information in this regard. Remember, CJP withdrew the previous protest, which was on the NEET paper leak issues, happily, Bhattacharya, who is also BJPs Rajya Sabha member, told newspersons on Saturday. Without directly naming Congress and the Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader said that a half-dead political force had joined hands with a dead force to stay relevant over the movement. On the occasion of Mahalaya today, the former West Bengal Chief Minister has gone to New Delhi instead of staying in the state. We want her to stay here during this time of festivity and visit various puja pandals. We want to see her doing that. Where have all the big Trinamool Congress leaders gone? Bhattacharya asked. Meanwhile, Mamata, in a video message on social media, alleged that she was prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and kept confined to her residence in the national capital along with other Trinamool Congress leaders. In the social media video message, she also claimed that as she began staging a sit-in protest at South Avenue, Delhi Police personnel detained the Trinamool Congress leaders and bundled them into a prison van. I wanted to join the movement of the youths at Jantar Mantar. But we were not allowed. Then we started a peaceful sit-in-demonstration in front of our house. But the police detained us and pushed us into a police van, which is now moving around Delhi. The BJP is going all-out to end democracy in India. But they will not ultimately be successful, said Mamata in her social media live message from the police van.
SEPC inks 854 cr-order with SAIL in West Bengal
The contract covers the pellet plant BOP, including civil & structural works, at the SAIL-IISCO Steel Plant in Burnpur, West Bengal
'Conspiring With Foreign Powers': Shivraj Chouhan Slams Rahul Gandhi, Oppn Amid CJP Protest
BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan reacts to the recent bypoll results, hailing the BJP-NDAs performance in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. He said the results reflect public faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP-NDA leadership and the vision of a Viksit Bharat.Chouhan also targeted the opposition, accusing it of attempting to create chaos through protests and undermine constitutional institutions. He further alleged that the opposition was acting with support from foreign forces.Watch Shivraj Singh Chouhans full statement on the bypoll results, the Modi governments development agenda and his allegations against the opposition.
Mamata Banerjee Recites Satirical Poem Targeting CEC, BJP
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recites a satirical poem targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP government.
Will replace health secy if he had ordered repair work at RG Kar: Suvendu
Mamata Banerjee Detained Near South Avenue As Delhi Police Crack Down On CJP Protest 2.0
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while staging a sit-in protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar near the South Avenue bus stand in New Delhi. Her detention came amid heightened security
Oppn trying to pressure ECI through CJP; agitation won't have any impact, says BJP
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) of staging a protest against the interests of the people, alleging that Opposition parties were attempting to put pressure on the Election Commission of India (ECI) through the agitation. The BJP's remarks came amid the CJP's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protest was also aimed at raising allegations of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged vote theft. West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya criticised the agitation, accusing the protesters of disrespecting the public and undermining the people's mandate. They are insulting the people. The movement taking place today is against the people, and the public is being humiliated. This is a betrayal of the people's mandate, and this cannot be allowed to continue, he said. Speaking to IANS, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi also alleged that the Congress and other Opposition parties were attempting to influence the Election Commission through the CJP's protest. He said the public was closely watching the developments and claimed that the party's intentions had become clear. The Congress and Opposition parties are trying to pressure the Election Commission through the Cockroach Janata Party's agitation. The country is watching. When the party first launched its agitation, students thought it was raising issues concerning their interests, but its true intentions have now been exposed before the people. The protest will have no impact. Security has been tightened in Delhi to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of ordinary citizens, Saraogi said. Bihar Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, recalling the Supreme Court's remarks concerning the CJP protest, said the administration was taking the necessary precautions in accordance with the observations made by the Chief Justice of India. The Chief Justice of India has given a clear indication to our administration, and officials are taking precautions accordingly. Every word of the Chief Justice is valuable to our government and its officials. So, do not worry. The government is handling every situation with great sensitivity, he said. Tiwari also apologised to passengers affected by the cancellation of trains heading towards Delhi in view of the CJP's proposed agitation. He described the situation as an internal security issue and alleged that some people were attempting to undermine the Modi government's achievements. Some people are jealous of the Modi government's success and are changing their identities. I am saying that the Cockroach Janta Party is none other than a new avatar of the Congress Party operating under a different identity, the minister claimed. These cockroaches could use any child in our country as a weapon, which is why our government is on alert. The people of the country have understood their objective. Everyone knows they are working for the RJD and Congress by changing their identity, and that is why people are no longer with them, he alleged.
Dengue surge in Bengal hotspots raises concern ahead of Durga Puja
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) A sudden rise in dengue cases in pockets of rural and urban West Bengal over the past month has raised concern in the administration ahead of the forthcoming Durga Puja festival. A state health department official said 14 gram panchayats and eight urban civic bodies, including three municipal corporations and five municipalities, had been identified as dengue hotspots following a sharp increase in cases in specific areas over the past month. Most of the 14 gram panchayats identified as dengue hotspots are in Murshidabad district. The others are in South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum and Hooghly districts, the official said. The three municipal corporations reporting a similar trend in certain wards are the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in North 24 Parganas district and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) in Howrah district, adjoining Kolkata. According to the official, six wards in the KMC, three in the HMC and four in the BMC have been identified as pockets witnessing a sudden rise in new dengue cases over the past month. Among the municipalities identified as sensitive zones are Chakdaha in Nadia district and Dumdum, South Dumdum, Kamarhati and Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district. During the current calendar year, the highest numbers of dengue cases have been reported from nine districts, namely Murshidabad, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, Malda and East Burdwan. However, state health department figures show that the overall number of dengue cases reported so far in 2026 remains marginally lower than the corresponding figure for 2025. Till October 7, 2025, West Bengal had recorded 12,652 dengue cases, compared with 10,177 cases during the same period in 2026. Despite the lower cumulative tally, the recent rise in infections has emerged as a cause for concern. The health department official said 3,948 new cases were reported during September, while nearly 1,100 cases were recorded in the first week of October alone. Despite the lower overall number of cases this year, the worrying aspect is the recent rise in infections. While 3,948 new dengue cases were reported in September, nearly 1,100 cases were recorded in the first week of October alone, the official said.
Suvendu Adhikari Sets Five-Year Target To Bring Gujarat Model Of Development To West Bengal
Dilip Ghosh Criticizes CJP Protests in Delhi, Targets Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh responds to CJP protests in Delhi, emphasizing democracy while condemning disruption. Dilip Ghosh Criticizes CJP Protests in Delhi, Targets Mamata Banerjee
On October 10, 2026, banking services will be suspended due to the second Saturday of the month coinciding with Mahalaya Amavasye celebrated in Karnataka and West Bengal. Following the Reserve Bank of Indias directives, banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays. With various festivals and holidays marked in October, it's essential for customers to plan their banking transactions wisely ahead of this date.
Pesticides in breast milk? The unasked question in Kashmirs orchards
Srinagar, Oct 09: As chemical pesticides remain part of crop protection in Kashmirs apple-growing belt, an important environmental health question remains unanswered: are women who work in or live near orchards exposed to pesticides that can be detected in their breast milk? Research conducted in other parts of India has found pesticide residues in breast-milk samples collected from nursing mothers. However, comparable published evidence establishing the presence and concentrations of such residues among lactating women in Jammu and Kashmir was not identified in the literature reviewed for this report. The gap is significant for a region where horticulture supports thousands of farming households and women participate in a range of agricultural activities, including pruning, picking, sorting and handling harvested produce. Although these activities do not necessarily involve direct pesticide application, exposure may occur through contact with recently treated plants, contaminated surfaces or soil, spray drift and other environmental pathways. The extent of such exposure depends on the chemicals used, application practices, protective measures and the time elapsed since spraying. The absence of local breast-milk data means that the nature and extent of this potential exposure remain uncertain. Studies elsewhere in India detect pesticide residues Several peer-reviewed studies have investigated pesticide residues in human breast milk across India. A study published in Environmental Pollution in 2021 analysed 81 breast-milk samples collected from Kolkata and Nadia in West Bengal. Researchers detected organochlorine pesticides and selected newer compounds, including pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. Most of the substances investigated showed higher average concentrations in samples from Kolkata than in those from Nadia. In Assam, a study published in Science of the Total Environment in 2011 reported residues of DDT and HCH in breast milk collected from Dibrugarh and Nagaon. Another study, published in the same journal in 2013, analysed 53 breast-milk samples from Punjab and reported several pesticide compounds, including DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers, endrin, endosulfan, cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos. Research published in Environmental Pollution in 2009 also documented persistent organochlorine compounds in breast milk collected from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The findings establish that selected pesticide compounds and their metabolites can be detected in human milk. However, the studies examined different populations under different conditions and cannot be used to estimate the prevalence of pesticide residues among mothers in Jammu and Kashmir. Nor do they establish that the same compounds or concentrations occur in Kashmiri women. Kashmirs horticultural sector warrants investigation The question assumes particular relevance in Kashmir, where apple cultivation is an important source of income and agricultural chemicals are used to protect crops against pests and fungal diseases. A study published in the Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology in 2010 cited estimates of approximately 7,750 metric tonnes of fungicides and 3,186 metric tonnes of insecticides used annually in Kashmirs orchards. These are historical estimates and should not be treated as current consumption figures without verification against more recent official records. Pesticide-use figures alone cannot establish the level of exposure experienced by farmers or their families. The risks associated with individual chemicals differ, as do the ways in which they enter the environment and human body. For orchard workers, relevant exposure factors include pesticide handling, the use of protective equipment, the interval between spraying and returning to treated areas, and contact with treated crops. Residential proximity to orchards, dietary sources and drinking water may also be relevant. A local investigation would need to account for these factors rather than assume that orchard work is the sole source of exposure. Why breast-milk monitoring matters Certain persistent pesticides, including some organochlorine compounds, can remain in the environment for long periods and accumulate in fatty tissues. Some may subsequently be detected in human breast milk. Other pesticides have different chemical properties and may break down more rapidly. Their presence in breast milk cannot be assumed simply because they are used in agriculture. Scientists would therefore need to identify the chemicals currently used in Kashmirs horticulture and select a suitable laboratory testing panel. Samples would need to be analysed using validated methods, with results reported alongside laboratory detection limits and appropriate quality controls. A study could compare samples from lactating women directly involved in orchard work with those from women who live near orchards but do not handle pesticides, as well as women from areas with less direct horticultural exposure. Researchers could collect information on agricultural activities, pesticide-handling practices, protective equipment, residential location, diet and drinking-water sources. This would help examine whether detected residues are associated with particular exposure patterns. The findings would establish a baseline for the study population, although a cross-sectional study alone could not prove that orchard work caused a particular residue concentration. Detection does not automatically mean harm The detection of pesticide residues in breast milk does not, by itself, establish that a concentration is harmful to an infant. Health risks depend on the chemical, the concentration, the duration and route of exposure, and the available toxicological evidence. Public-health communication must therefore avoid equating the presence of a residue with a confirmed health effect. Breastfeeding should not be discontinued solely because of general reports about environmental pesticide contamination. Women concerned about a specific or substantial exposure should seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals. The more immediate priority is to reduce avoidable exposure among agricultural workers through appropriate protective equipment, adherence to product-specific safety instructions, observance of re-entry intervals and improved pesticide management. Integrated pest management, which combines pest monitoring, preventive measures and targeted chemical treatment, could also help reduce unnecessary pesticide applications. A research gap that needs attention For Jammu and Kashmir, the central question remains unresolved. The studies reviewed for this report do not establish whether pesticide residues are present in the breast milk of women working in the regions orchards, how frequently they might occur or which compounds warrant particular attention. Addressing the gap would require collaboration among agricultural scientists, public-health researchers, environmental laboratories and relevant government departments. Any study involving lactating women would also require ethics approval, informed consent, reliable laboratory procedures and safeguards for participants privacy. Alongside biological monitoring, authorities could improve records of pesticide use and strengthen environmental monitoring to help researchers identify locally relevant exposure pathways. For a region whose agricultural economy depends heavily on horticulture, measuring potential exposure is an important step towards understanding the wider environmental implications of pesticide use. Studies from other Indian states provide a basis for asking the question. Only systematic testing in Jammu and Kashmir can establish what, if anything, is present in the breast milk of women living and working around its orchards.
ED Conducts Major Raids in Odisha Sub-Inspector Recruitment Scam
The Enforcement Directorate has launched extensive raids in Odisha and West Bengal linked to a sub-inspector recruitment paper leak. ED Conducts Major Raids in Odisha Sub-Inspector Recruitment Scam
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed gratitude to the people for blessing the BJP-NDA in the Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry byelections and said the victory reflects yet again that the people have a deep-rooted connect with the good governance agenda of the alliance. Gratitude to the people for their continuous blessings! [] The post Bypoll wins reflect Peoples connect with BJP-NDA: Modi appeared first on Northlines .
Suvendu retains backyard, party makes dent in minority zone
West Bengal Chief Secretary Sends Legal Notice to MP Mahua Moitra Over Vote Thief Comments
West Bengals Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal has issued a legal notice to MP Mahua Moitra for alleging he is a vote thief on social media. West Bengal Chief Secretary Sends Legal Notice to MP Mahua Moitra Over Vote Thief Comments
Kolkata Durga Puja: Pandal-Hopping Focus On Lebutala & Deshapriya Park
28 Out Of Over 60 Eateries Reopen Ahead Of Durga Puja
West Bengal Unveils Major Urban Development Plans Ahead of Durga Puja
West Bengal is set to enhance urban development with 37 projects aimed at beautification and sanitation before Durga Puja. West Bengal Unveils Major Urban Development Plans Ahead of Durga Puja
Vehicle battery gone from Park Street senior cops office complex
Serial killer whiff in murders of app-cab drivers
Man kills brother at Jatin Das Park
Kishan Reddy Slams Congress After Bypoll Losses
Kishan Reddy said the Congress had failed to win a single seat in Delhi in three consecutive Assembly elections, winning only six of 61 seats in Bihar despite a yatra covering 23 districts, and two of 294 seats in West Bengal.
Bypoll results in 5 seats boost ruling parties; BJP posts big wins in Bengal
Bypoll results from five assembly seats and a Lok Sabha seat show victories for ruling parties. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling TVK gained seats from AIADMK, boosting its assembly presence. The BJP in West Bengal won significantly in Nandigram and Rejinagar with large margins. In Puducherry, AINRC candidate won Thattanchavady seat, defeating Congress. BJP was set to secure Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam, leading ahead of AIUDF and Congress.
Lost in 2014, rediscovered Parama statue to return as part of Bhowanipore puja theme
Naihati man leads Ind-Arg Army team to Mount Kamet
From wetlands to eatery? Heat on TMC ex-councillors EMB dhaba
Rs 1,700 cr in dues, state plans 40% waiver on unpaid vehicle taxes
Tarpaulin sheets, raised platforms: Organisers add rain-protection in final days of puja prep
Sound of dhaks & conch shells will set a record today: CM
Ruling parties sweep bypolls in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry
The BJP won two West Bengal Assembly seats and led in Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, while TVK and AINRC recorded wins in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Opposition urges President to sack CEC, suspend SIR and restore '13.30 crore deleted' voters (Lead)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that President Droupadi Murmu asked the Opposition delegation to submit evidence to substantiate its allegations of vote chori (vote theft), as INDIA bloc leaders met her and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots. A 10-member delegation of INDIA bloc MPs, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata All India Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, met the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum alleging widespread electoral irregularities and an attempt to undermine India's democratic framework. The other members of the delegation were Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby, RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, and VCK President and MP Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan. In the memorandum, the Opposition claimed that elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal had been stolen, alleging large-scale manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral rolls in several Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The delegation, which said it represented Parliamentary parties accounting for more than 60 per cent of the country's population, urged President Murmu to intervene, describing the alleged electoral irregularities as a threat to the constitutional right to vote and the foundations of representative democracy. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said: I sat in quite an unbelievable meeting. First, we took a memorandum to the President of India. In that memorandum, we clearly stated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to destroy Indian democracy. We submitted a memorandum to the President of India, informing her that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are conspiring to destroy Indian democracy, LoP Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also claimed: The President (Droupadi Murmu) in no way denied what we said, questioned what we said, or argued what we said. She accepted our statement and then told us that we needed to provide her with proof of 'election chori'. He added that the President had asked the delegation to furnish evidence backing its claims. She (President Murmu) asked us to provide evidence to substantiate what we have said. We will submit the evidence to her whenever she is available, he said. Rahul Gandhi described the meeting as satisfactory and announced that the Opposition would approach the Supreme Court on October 12 with a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The memorandum placed four major demands before the President: 1. Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and repeal of the 2023 law that, according to the Opposition, provides lifelong immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. 2. Immediate suspension of SIR and restoration of all 13.30 crore voters whom the Opposition alleges were illegally deleted from electoral rolls. 3. A return to paper ballots for all elections, replacing the existing EVM-based voting system. 4. Repeal of Assembly elections held over the preceding two years in which, the Opposition claimed, conclusive evidence of vote theft had been presented. The memorandum said that the right to vote, enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution, was central to representative democracy. It maintained that the Election Commission was the constitutional custodian of this right and should be accountable for its decisions rather than operate without scrutiny. The Opposition also accused the Chief Election Commissioner of misleading the Supreme Court to cover up alleged electoral wrongdoing. The memorandum called for accountability and urged the President to use her constitutional position to ensure that its demands were addressed without delay. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said President Murmu had listened to the delegation patiently. Kharge said the INDIA bloc leaders had apprised the President Murmu of the agitation launched four days earlier over alleged vote theft and concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. Mamata Banerjee said President Murmu had indicated that she would examine the memorandum and wanted supporting evidence. She (President Murmu) has asked us to send evidence, which we said we (INDIA bloc leaders) will do, Banerjee said, adding that the country was concerned about the state of democracy. The meeting followed several days of Opposition protests against the Election Commission, the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities, with INDIA bloc leaders demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Bengal: Civil Defence Dept Signs MoU with Amateur Radio Club to train volunteers
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) Taking a cue from how communication links were disrupted after the Nepal flash floods, the West Bengal Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC) on Friday. The WBRC is an organisation of amateur radio operators. Apart from communicating with people across the world, its members help in maintaining radio links during major calamities when mobile networks stop functioning. They are trained to set up communication networks with the bare minimum supplies. During cyclones, floods and earthquakes, when conventional communication links get cut off, the HAMs play a crucial role in ensuring co-ordination between various teams engaged in rescue and relief efforts. All our members have the necessary licences that allow them to operate two-way radio sets. When the need arises, they can set up radio stations within a short period of time and restore communications, Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary, WBRC, said. The organisation also runs the Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster Management. Several civil defence volunteers from across the state have already received training there and obtained licences to operate amateur radios. Under the MoU, more people will be trained, and experts will monitor their progress in setting up radio stations in remote areas. During natural disasters, the HAMs work as an important link between the wireless sets operated by various agencies. This aids in keeping all teams abreast of developments. The signing of the MoU was an extremely proud moment for us. While we have been doing this for a long time, the amateur radio operators are now officially designated as lifesavers, Subir Dutta, president, WBRC, said. Among those present during the signing of the agreement were IPS officers Sanjay Singh and Debashis Sarkar from the Civil Defence Department and top functionaries of WBRC. The activities of the organisation first came to light during the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, when its members reached remote areas, fixed temporary antennae to treetops and restored communication links. More recently, WBRC members rushed to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake devastated parts of the country. They again helped restore vital communication links between various agencies engaged in rescue and relief. A team was also ready to travel to Nepal this year after the devastating flash floods, but did not receive permission from the government of that country. We have always been called in by the West Bengal government during cyclones. We have moved to remote areas and maintained communication links with agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). This aided vital rescue efforts, Nag Biswas said. Teams from the WBRC have also operated at Sagar Island during the Gangasagar Mela since the time when there was no mobile connectivity there. The HAMs continue to operate during the annual event even now, helping people in distress. Of late, several educational institutions have also got in touch with WBRC to train college students in wireless communication. The members train students on how to obtain licences and operate their own radio stations. We have endeavoured to turn a hobby into a life-saving exercise. Today, our efforts are recognised across the country, Nag Biswas added.
SRFTI students threaten indefinite academic halt, VC Calls for Campus Calm
CMs friendship pitch pays off as Muslim-majority Rejinagar gives BJP big win
No complaints in Keralam about deliberate denial of voting right, says Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
He says the present allegations against the ECI concerns removal of cores of names, adding Keralam has not seen complaints filed in this regard unlike States such as Maharashtra, West Bengal or Haryana
Chief secy sends legal notice to Mahua over defamation claims, seeks Rs 10 crore in damages
Church attacked during prayer service in Krishnanagar
WBHS beneficiaries told to surrender other health cards
Travel bodys 69th convention to bring 700 delegates to Kolkata
In TMC vs TMC subplot, Mamata comes out victorious
Parents need to groom kids for AI age, start discussions from dining table: Tech expert
BJP sweeps Bengal Assembly by polls by winning both Nandigram and Rejinagar by record margin
West Bengal on Tuesday saw a high voter turnout in the high-stakes by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar
Nandigram lives up to Suvendu hopes, gives BJP a winning margin of 1.22 lakh votes
Amit Shah hails NDA bypoll wins as rejection of INDI alliance in West Bengal and Assam
The News Mill
Bengal bypolls: BJP wins in Nandigram, Muslim-majority Rejinagar
Kolkata: The BJP on Friday, October 9, steamrolled its rivals in Nandigram and scored a surprise win in Muslim-majority Rejinagar, underlining its expanding political reach in West Bengal barely four months after ending TMCs 15-year rule, as a fragmented opposition struggled to mount a challenge in the ruling partys first electoral test. The twin victories 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 .
Tripura: Security to be tightened along India-Bangladesh border ahead of Durga Puja
Digital Desk | Agartala, Oct 9 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) and Tripura Police will further tighten security along the India-Bangladesh border ahead of the five-day Durga Puja festival, beginning on October 16, while the state police will launch a special drive against drug-related activities during the festivities, top officials said. Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Rao said the BSF would further strengthen its vigil along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura during the Durga Puja festival. Tripura Police would also step up surveillance in border villages, the state police chief told the media. Responding to a query about the proposed Smart Border Project, Rao said that of the total 856-km-long international border between Tripura and Bangladesh, 806 km had been fully fenced so far, while the remaining 50 km remained unfenced for various reasons, including difficult terrain, water bodies and forested areas. The BSF and Tripura Police are jointly preparing proposals for the Smart Border Project, and both agencies would jointly implement the scheme, Rao said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited Tripura in June this year, had earlier announced that the Modi government would establish an impregnable border grid by launching the Smart Border Project, equipped with drones, radars, modern cameras and other advanced technologies. The Home Minister had directed the BSF in Tripura, Assam and West Bengal to work in coordination with district administrations, police stations, panchayats and patwaris to prevent infiltration and strengthen border security. Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh and is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country, making the Northeastern state particularly vulnerable and sensitive to issues related to cross-border migration, infiltration, smuggling and other crimes. DGP Rao said that during the festive season, Tripura Police would launch a special drive against drug-related activities in Agartala and other urban areas of the state. He said around 11,000 personnel of Tripura Police and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) would be deployed across the state to maintain law and order during the festive season. Hundreds of plainclothes security personnel would also be deployed on running trains and at crowded and important places to maintain a close watch on anti-social activities and crimes, the senior IPS officer said. He further said that watchtowers, 218 CCTV cameras, and police and traffic assistance booths would be set up in Agartala and other district towns to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and ensure the safety of the public during the festival. A green corridor would be opened to facilitate the movement of ambulances and other emergency vehicles during the Puja days, the DGP said, adding that the movement of vehicles and two-wheelers would be restricted during peak hours when large numbers of people visit Durga Puja pandals. The traffic restrictions are intended to help manage the expected rush of devotees and visitors at major Puja venues and ensure smoother movement for emergency services during the festivities. More than 2,900 community Durga Pujas and over 100 family Pujas are likely to be organised across Tripura this year, including around 720 in West Tripura district, attracting large crowds and requiring extensive security and traffic management arrangements.
Amit Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA alliance for their lies and confusion following bypoll results. The BJP secured significant wins in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, showcasing its public support. Voters expressed their trust in the BJP during recent municipal elections in Rajasthan and Tripura. Shah stated that opposition parties question institutions after defeats, highlighting their lack of credibility.
BJP wins 10 Rajya Sabha seats unopposed across three states; SP gets 2, Congress draws a blank
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 10 Rajya Sabha seats unopposed across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) secured two seats in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress failed to win a seat in the elections.
ECI rebuts Abhishek Banerjee's claims on Rejinagar bypoll statistics
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) The ECI on Friday rebutted claims made by Trinamool Congress general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, that in a particular booth for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, the winning BJP candidate, Sakharav Sarkar, received more votes than the total number of registered voters at that booth. Earlier in the day, Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed that at Booth No. 109 in Rejinagar, the BJP candidate secured 909 votes. However, the total number of registered voters at the booth was 772. Even North Korea would struggle to explain this electoral arithmetic! Mr Gyanesh Kumar, how does a booth produce more votes for one party than its entire electorate? Abhishek Banerjee said in a social media post. Hours later, Murshidabad's District Election Officer (DEO) and District Magistrate (DM) issued a counter social media post, rejecting the claim. As per the electoral roll for Polling Station No. 109 in the 70-Rejinagar Assembly Constituency by-election, the total number of registered electors is 1,109, of which 972 votes were polled across all candidates, the DEO and DM stated. On Friday, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, also rebutted claims made by a social media user identified as DeKoder regarding the impact of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on the results of the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year. Sharing a video featuring a veteran journalist and former editor, the social media user raised questions about certain categories of voters allegedly being targeted during the SIR exercise and its consequences. Does the analysis of Bengal elections suggest any lessons for the forthcoming state elections? the user asked. In response, the CEO's office said the SIR exercise, conducted under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with due process and safeguards, was aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral rolls and not at deleting genuine voters. The claims made in the video are misleading and speculative. No voter can be deleted without due process. Issuance of notice, an opportunity for hearing, and a speaking order by the ERO are part of the safeguards. Appeals are available at two levels, the CEO's office said in its social media post. The CEO's office also said that electoral data from West Bengal did not support the political narrative being advanced on the issue. According to the office, in four of the five constituencies where voter deletions were the highest, Trinamool Congress candidates emerged victorious. These constituencies were Samserganj, Chowrangee, Metiaburuz and Kolkata Port. Only Jorasanko, among the five constituencies with the highest deletions, was won by a BJP candidate. The five constituencies with the fewest deletions, namely Mahishadal, Bhagabanpur, Indus, Katulpur and Patashpur, were all won by the BJP. There is no data based on the religious identity of electors available with the ECI. Hence, the analysis is based on unverified assumptions, the CEO's office stated. The office also rejected claims in the video that women voters accounted for 62 per cent of exclusions in West Bengal. As per the total data on deletion of invalid entries (excluding adjudication), around 50 per cent, or half, of the deletions relate to women. Therefore, the facts do not support the allegations. SIR is a lawful, transparent and ongoing exercise to ensure that every eligible elector is on the roll and that ineligible entries are removed. Electoral rolls must be based on facts, not speculation, the statement added.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s performance in the Lok Sabha and Assembly bye-elections, saying that the party is winning every election despite the lies and disinformation campaigns of the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc. In Nagaon Parliamentary constituency bye-election in Assam, Devasish Sharma of the BJP beat Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). In Nandigram Assembly constituency bye-election in West Bengal, Hasi Rani Rath of the BJP beat the nearest Congress rival Milan Pradhan. In Rejinagar bye-election in West Bengal, Shankharavh Sarkar of the BJP beat Golam Nabi Azad of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party. Meanwhile, NDA ally, AINRC, won the Thattanchavady bypoll in Puducherry. In a post on social media platform X, Union Minister Amit Shah said: The BJP, under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji, continues to win elections one after another despite the lies and disinformation campaigns run by Rahul Gandhi and the INDI Alliance. The NDA's victories in the bye-elections in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, and the recently held local body polls in Rajasthan and Tripura, demonstrate that the people have completely rejected the INDI Alliance. Having lost their public support, these (Opposition) parties question institutions after every defeat, but the people have recognised their true character. This is why the people have once again delivered a thumping mandate, reaffirming their unwavering faith in the BJP, Union Minister Shah added. The Union Home Minister congratulated the West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, Tripura CM Manik Saha and Puducherry CM N. Rangasamy, along with all the state presidents and dedicated BJP workers. Terming the victories as spectacular, BJP President Nitin Nabin said that it has once again proven that the people of the country stand firmly with the politics of development and good governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those who were trying to mislead the countrymen have once again been given a resounding response by the people through their votes, Nabin said on X while hitting out at the Opposition. Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said on X: Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the victorious candidates on the victory of BJP-NDA in the Assembly bye-elections of West Bengal and Puducherry, and the Lok Sabha bye-election in Assam. This support from the people reflects the trust in the progress of the country, good governance, and public service under the leadership of the honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, he said, adding that this public support will further strengthen the resolve for a developed India. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the eight BJP Rajya Sabha candidates of the state for winning unopposed. I have full confidence that you all will make a significant contribution in realising the resolve of our esteemed Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for 'Developed India' and in giving new momentum to the nation's progress. At the same time, you will enhance the dignity of the Upper House, he said in a post on X. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta echoed, saying: The unanimous election of BJP's eight Rajya Sabha candidates in Uttar Pradesh, the NDA's victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, and the Thattanchavadi Assembly constituency in Puducherry are proof of the people's unwavering trust. In a post on X, CM Gupta referred to the victory as a esounding response to those anti-national forces who prioritise appeasement, dividing society, and pursuing political self-interest over the welfare of the people.
Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee Lead INDIA Bloc Leaders to Rashtrapati Bhavan Over
Several INDIA bloc leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, are heading to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Droupadi Murmu and submit a memorandum raising concerns over the functioning of the
SC seeks response of States, UTs on plea alleging prolonged vacancies in power regulatory bodies
New Delhi, Oct 9: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from 15 states and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on a PIL filed by NGO Energy Watchdog seeking directions to ensure that their state electricity regulatory commissions are properly constituted under the law. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice on the PIL filed by the NGO through lawyer Pranav Sachdeva. The petitioner has sought the apex court's directions directing the states and UTs to take all steps to comply with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, and with the directions of the apex court in a verdict of April 2018 regarding composition of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). The plea said there were several statutory infractions, such as prolonged vacancies in the offices of chairperson and members and the complete absence of a person of law on the Commission, across 230 SERCs in the 15 states and the UTs. In the 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court held that SERCs have the rappings of the court and must have a suitably qualified person of law as a member, the plea said. It said the commissions across several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, continue to lack a person of law despite this ruling. The plea said in Tamil Nadu, all three offices are vacant, while in Andhra Pradesh, the chairperson and member (technical) posts are vacant, and the Commission functions with a sole member (finance). It said that in West Bengal, only the chairperson's office has been created, and the incumbent does not have the required legal background. The plea said the failure strikes at consumers' access to justice under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution and, without the mandated person of law, consumers cannot get lawful adjudication of complaints under the Electricity Act. Consumers' access to that remedy cannot be made dependent upon indefinite executive inaction, the plea said. It sought directions to the states of West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim, and to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, directing the authorities concerned to file a reply disclosing the steps taken to ensure that their SERCs had been constituted in compliance with the Electricity Act provisions.
BJP President Nitin Nabin chalks poll strategy with national general secretaries
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Stepping up preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin on Friday held discussions with National General Secretaries to firm up future strategy. In a message on social media platform X, Nabin said, Today, at the BJP headquarters, I held a meeting with the National General Secretaries and had a detailed discussion on various organisational matters and upcoming action plans. The meeting came on a day when the BJP celebrated its victory in bye-elections on Lok Sabha seat in Nagaon (Assam) and Assembly seats in Nandigram as well as Rejinagar (West Bengal). Earlier on Thursday, the BJP President attacked the Congress and INDIA bloc allies over Election Commission (EC) protests in the national capital, saying that their demonstration remains 'timed' with the elections and with an intent to earn electoral dividend from it. He asserted that the BJP and its workers remain in mission mode, 24x7 and every single day comes with new set of responsibilities while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's conviction and commitment towards public welfare as the key inspiration behind it. Taking a direct jibe at the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition INDIA bloc, Nabin said that they possess an anarchist mindset and only know how to inject poison into society while criticising their protest against the Election Commission, based on 'unfounded and baseless' allegations of vote theft. Questioning the rationale behind Opposition's protests, the BJP Chief added that this is the same Election Commission which conducted the elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where they are in power. If their allegations were true, it was this very Election Commission that conducted the elections in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, where they (Opposition INDIA bloc) came into power through the backdoor, the elections were also conducted by this very Election Commission, Nabin said. He said that the nation was watching the game they (Opposition) were playing and demanded that Rahul Gandhi resigns, if he has the courage.
PM Modi Hails BJP-NDA Mandate, Congratulates AINRC on Puducherry Victory
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled defeat to the Congress in the by-elections in Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam and in West Bengal while lauding the BJP's strong showing in the by-polls in West Bengal. Modi tweeted that the victory
Bye-elections: PM Modi hails party workers, voters' support for BJP victory
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the hard work of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, NDA allies and the continuous support of electorate for ensuring the party's impressive performance in the Lok Sabha and Assembly bye-elections. In a message on social media platform X, PM Modi said, Gratitude to the people for their continuous blessings! The Lok Sabha result of Nagaon (Assam) and Assembly results of Nandigram as well as Rejinagar (West Bengal) show yet again that the people have a deep-rooted connect with the good governance agenda of BJP-NDA. I congratulate the victorious BJP candidates and also applaud the hard work of our Party Karyakartas, the Prime Minister added on X. I also congratulate our valued NDA ally, the AINRC, for their win in Thattanchavady in Puducherry, Prime Minister Modi said. This mandate will give us added strength as we work tirelessly for the welfare of the people and to fulfil their aspirations for a brighter and more prosperous future, he added on X. In Nagaon Parliamentary constituency bye-election, Devasish Sharma of the BJP beat Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). In Nandigram bye-election in West Bengal, Hasi Rani Rath of the BJP beat the nearest Congress rival Milan Pradhan. In Rejinagar bye-election in West Bengal, Shankharavh Sarkar of the BJP beat Golam Nabi Azad of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party. Earlier on Friday, PM Modi met members of India's contingent that delivered an impressive performance at the WorldSkills Competition Shanghai 2026 and congratulated the young participants for showcasing their talent and skills on the global stage. The interaction took place at the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, where PM Modi lauded the competitors for their achievements and encouraged them to continue excelling in their respective fields. Sharing details of the meeting on social media, Prime Minister Modi praised the participants for their outstanding performance at the international skills competition and said it was a pleasure to interact with and motivate the young achievers. The Prime Minister underlined the objective behind establishing a separate Ministry for Skill Development and said that the importance of skill training institutions is no less than that of IITs and IIMs. He encouraged the participants to share their experiences and suggestions with the government to help improve India's skill training system. India recorded its best-ever performance at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, held from September 22 to 27 at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai. The country secured six silver medals and 20 medallions for excellence, finishing 10th in the overall rankings.
Mahajan, Banerjee Lead Charge In National Ranking TT U-15
Maharashtra's Raghav Mahajan and West Bengal's Souswarya Banerjee advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the U-15 boys' singles at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula on Friday. Several other young talents also secured victories in both boys' and girls' U-15 categories, often after hard-fought five-game matches.
'Mobocracy got a reply from democracy', says BJP amid party's resounding victory in bypolls
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The overwhelming positive results for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently held bye-elections in Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry shows that 'mobocracy' has got a fitting reply from India's robust democracy, BJP National spokesperson Smriti Irani said on Friday. Addressing the media, after party's landslide victory in West Bengal's Nandigram, Smriti Irani took a jibe at Congress party's 'street politics' and denounced its call to 'hurt' the Indian state, on pretext of fighting off the 'tyrannical' BJP. On January 15, 2025, the former Congress President (Rahul Gandhi) had said with open heart that he was fighting battle not against the BJP but against the Indian State, signalling that the constitutional and democratic institutions will come under attack from them, the BJP leader said. She added that never in the history of India, has any elected leader chosen or dared to inflict harm upon the country's constitutional fabric. Welcoming the resounding mandate across multiple states, Smriti Irani said, Today, democracy has given a reply to mobocracy. In Uttar Pradesh, the election of BJP candidates to the Rajya Sabha is a matter of great joy for us. In Puducherry, we heartily welcome the victory of NDA candidate. From West Bengal, we are receiving overwhelming joyous news in Nandigram and Rejinagar, Smriti Irani said. Nandigram was the bastion of Left-wing ideology, violence against the public. Today, the mandate for BJP shows victory for good governance. In Rejinagar, where nearly 71 per cent of voters belong to the minority community, the BJP is moving towards victory, she added. The BJP spokesperson also called out Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent appeal for Smashing the Patriarchy, highlighting how the hollow claims got exposed very soon. Citing the example of Congress MP, also noted professor of a reputed university in the national capital, Smriti Irani said that the women students had lodged complaint against him accusing him of sexually harassing them in return for marks. Former Congress President who brags about smashing the patriarchy never acted against him, leave aside taking cognisance of the offence, she added. The same professor has now been found guilty of harassing female students in the university's inquiry report. I ask the Congress leadership why it didn't initiate any political action against the indicted professor, Smriti Irani asked. Without taking name, she also targeted Rahul Gandhi's alleged misbehaviour with woman policeman during the recent Jantar Mantar protest and demanded that he walks the talk on what he preaches.
'Gratitude to people for their continuous blessings': PM Modi tanks voters for BJP's win in bypolls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked voters for BJPs massive win in Lok Sabha and Assembly bypolls and the Lok Sabha result of Nagaon (Assam) and Assembly results of Nandigram as well as Rejinagar (West Bengal) show yet again that the people have a deep-rooted connect with the good governance agenda of BJP-NDA.
BJP Secures Historic Victory in Rejinagar By-Election with Over 75,000 Votes
BJP candidate Shankharavah Sarkar wins Rejinagar by-election, marking a significant political shift in West Bengal. BJP Secures Historic Victory in Rejinagar By-Election with Over 75,000 Votes
As bypoll results largely favour ruling parties, BJP pulls a surprise in Bengals Rejinagar
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Ruling parties in three states and one Union Territory that went for by-elections are poised comfortably to win as counting comes close to an end on Friday for five Assembly and one Lok Sabha constituencies. Elections were held on Tuesday for the lone Parliamentary constituency of Nagaon in Assam, while voting took place the same day for the Assembly seats in West Bengals Nandigram and Rejinagar; Madurantakam and Dharapuram of Tamil Nadu; and Thattanchavady in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat was vacant after Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi who won in 2019 and 2024 joined the BJP and subsequently won from Dispur in this years Assembly elections. The states ruling BJP was leading at the time of writing, with its candidate Devasish Sharma ahead with a convincing margin of 1.6 lakh votes over his closest rival. In Puducherry, the ruling All India N. R. Congress (AINRC) retained the Thattanchavady seat, with Ashok Anand winning here with a margin of 8,482 votes over nearest rival E. Vinayagam of the Congress. Chief Minister Natesan Rangaswamy vacated this seat to retain Mangalam, which he had won simultaneously in the Assembly elections held earlier this year. As a Congress candidate, he lost from Thattanchavady in 1990, but registered a victory in the election held the next year. In 2006, he won here with a record 90 per cent of the total votes polled. Since winning in 1991 as a Congress candidate, Rangaswamy retained Thattanchavady till he chose to contest elsewhere beginning in 2011 after breaking out of the Congress and founding the AINRC. He returned, winning again in the 2021 and 2026 general elections. In Tamil Nadu, while Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was ahead by almost 67,000 votes in Dharapuram at the end of all 23 rounds of counting, it was ahead by close to 58,000 mandates in Madurantakam after 17 of 21 rounds. In the Assembly elections held earlier this year, TVK emerged as the largest single party, forming the government with allies. In West Bengal, BJPs Hasi Rani Rath was declared winner by a massive margin of over 1.2 lakh votes, while in Rejinagar the ruling party pulled a surprise with its candidate Shankharavh Sarkar close to victory with a lead of over 75,800 mandates. Muslims in Rejinagar comprise well over 70 per cent, where the controversial Babri Masjid-replica builder and founder of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), Humayun Kabir, stepped down to retain Nowda. He had won from Rejinagar earlier, bagging 51.62 per cent of the total votes polled, but his son Golam Nabi Azad failed to retain it for the AJUP in the subsequent by-election. Since delimitation and polling held in 2011, the seat has been decided on the basis of demographic divide. But Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had predicted the change before the by-election, promising to work for the development of the region. In the 2011 election, Humayun Kabir, then a Congress candidate, defeated his nearest rival Serajul Islam Mondal of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a Left-Front ally. The seat was retained by the Congress in the 2013 by-election after Kabir switched over to the Trinamool Congress, with Rabiul Alam Chowdhury beating the RSP again. In 2016, Chowdhury again triumphed, this time against Kabir, who contested as an independent. In the subsequent 2021 polls, the BJP rose to the second position in a significant surge, but lost to Chowdhury, then a Trinamool candidate, by a massive margin of over 68,000 votes. Shankharavh Sarkars comfortable position in Rejinagar at the time of writing suggests that the larger part of the Muslim community has accepted the BJP government as a possible benefactor in the coming days, as observers suggest. Moreover, the trend of being rendered directionless and mass erosion in parties after losing power has also had its impact, say analysts. Even the once formidable Trinamool Congress has fragmented after its defeat in the Assembly poll this year and has fared poorly in the by-elections too. In Rejinagar, the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress managed less than 4,000 votes, while the Democratic Trinamool Congress collected a little over 2,000. In Nandigram, that was once among the principal reasons behind Mamata Banerjees 15-year tryst with power, her candidate withdrew from the race while the rival faction got a meagre 853 mandates.
Smriti Irani Targets Congress After BJP Wins Nandigram and Rejinagar Bypolls
BJP leader Smriti Irani on Friday praised the party's by-elections results, stating the outcome was a vote of confidence in democracy to counter the mobocracy of the Opposition. Congratulating her party candidates for West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, Irani was quick
BJP Wins Nandigram and Rejinagar Bypolls in West Bengal
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won both the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls in West Bengal with substantial margins. In Nandigram, BJP candidate Hasirani Rath secured 1,64,427 votes (75.94%), defeating Congress candidate Milan Pradhan by a margin of 1,22,753 votes. Pradhan, who received TMC support after candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew, garnered 41,674 votes (19.25%). [] The post BJP Wins Nandigram and Rejinagar Bypolls in West Bengal appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
BJP wins eight, SP two of UPs 10 Rajya Sabha seats unopposed
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 9 (IANS) Eight candidates of the BJP and two of the Samajwadi Party (SP) have been declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in Uttar Pradesh. The unopposed elections were declared after the nomination papers of two Independent candidates were rejected during scrutiny, and no other candidate remained in the fray. As a result, the voting scheduled for October 16 will no longer be required. The outcome also brings an end to the Bahujan Samaj Partys (BSP) representation in the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. The eight BJP candidates who have been elected to the Upper House from Uttar Pradesh are state Minister Dharm Pal Singh, BJP state OBC Morcha President Prakash Pal, Shruti Gangwar, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Radhakant Ojha, Gopi Krishna Pandey, and Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan. The SPs two successful candidates are senior party leader and General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav and industrialist Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani. Returning Officer Ajit Kumar Verma completed the formalities for the unopposed elections on Friday and issued certificates to the newly elected members. Most BJP candidates were present at the state Assembly complex on Friday to receive their certificates. A representative collected the certificate on behalf of Ojha, while former MLC Rakesh Yadav received the certificate on behalf of Ram Gopal Yadav. After being elected to the Rajya Sabha, Prakash Pal said he had served the party in various capacities for the past 36 years and would now shoulder the responsibility of raising issues concerning the people of Uttar Pradesh and the country in Parliament. Describing the BJPs victory on eight seats, he claimed that the party would win 80 per cent of the seats in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls, while the opposition alliance would secure 20 per cent. Newly elected BJP MP Rawat said the party has given a grassroots worker a major responsibility. She described her election as an example of the BJPs worker-oriented organisational system, saying that dedicated party workers could rise to senior positions. She also expressed confidence that the BJP would form a government with a full majority in Uttar Pradesh in 2027. The outcome has also altered Uttar Pradeshs representation in the Rajya Sabha. With two seats going to the SP, its strength in the Upper House has risen to five. The partys other members are Javed Ali, Ramji Lal Suman, and Jaya Bachchan. The re-election of Ram Gopal Yadav and the entry of Nathwani into the Rajya Sabha for the first time have strengthened the partys position. Nathwani, in a post on X, thanked SP President Akhilesh Yadav for reposing faith in him. He said he would remain committed to advancing Akhilesh Yadavs vision for Uttar Pradeshs holistic development, modern infrastructure and a brighter future for the youth in the Parliament The tenure of the current members ends on November 25. Of these 10 seats, the BJP earlier held eight, while the SP and BSP held one each. From Uttarakhand, BJPs Dinesh Kumar Arya, a Dalit leader from Kumaon, has been elected unopposed to the upper house of the Parliament. There was no other nomination from any other political party. Similarly, Rukmini Mallik, also known as Koel Mallik, a Bengali film actress who recently joined the BJP, has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal
West Bengal bypolls: BJP sweeps Nandigram, breaks through in Rejinagar
Bengal: BJP candidate wins Rejinagar bypoll by victory margin of 75,816 votes
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) Sakharav Sarkar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the bypoll for Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, had been declared elected by a massive margin of 75,816 votes on Friday. While Sarkar secured 1,29,914 votes, Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP)'s Golam Nabi Azad came in the second position securing 54,098 votes. Congress' Abdullahil Kafi was in the third position securing 6,168 votes, followed by Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' Rabiul Alam Chowdhury in the fourth position securing 3,847 votes. CPI-M's Md. Sayeed finished in the fifth position securing just 3,797 votes, while Democratic Trinamool Congress' Safiuzzaman Sheikh came in the sixth position securing 2,044 votes. While the victory of the BJP candidate was to an extent expected from Rejinagar, political observers feel that what is spectacular in the results is the large victory margin, considering that more than 65 per cent of the voters in Rejinagar are in the minority community. However, the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had his own explanations behind the huge victory margin of the BJP from Rejinagar. According to the Chief Minister, the larger number of women voters from the minority community in Rejinagar, who were immensely benefited from the Annapurna Yojana scheme this time had voted in favour of the BJP along with their family members. The Rejinagar bypoll results proved that the minority voters in West Bengal, especially the Bengali-speaking Muslims will no longer be misled by malicious Opposition campaigns accusing BJP of being a communal force. In the Assembly elections earlier this year, AJUP's Humayun Kabir got elected from Nandigram by a huge margin of 58,876 votes securing 51.62 per cent of the total votes polled then. Statistically, the BJP in the Rejinagar bypolls had witnessed more than 100 per cent positive swing in its favour. Earlier this year, Kabir got elected simultaneously from Naoda Assembly constituency, also in Murshidabad district. Later, he decided to retain Naoda, thus necessitating bypolls at Rejinagar. With the victory from Rejinagar, BJP's tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly had now increased to 209.
West Bengal: BJP candidate Hasirani Rath wins Nandigram bypoll by record margin
BJP's Hasirani Rath has won the Nandigram bypoll in West Bengal by a record margin of 1,22,753 votes, securing 1,64,427 votes against Congress's Milan Pradhan. Rath's victory surpasses Suvendu Adhikari's 2016 record, while the Rejinagar bypoll result remains awaited
