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MNREGA gets new name, 125 days of employment
NEW DELHI: Setting the stage for a major overhaul of the countrys flagship rural jobs scheme, the Union Cabinet on Friday approved the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana. The government also proposes to increase the guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days of work per rural household each year. It also plans to revise the minimum wage under the scheme to `240 per day, along with additional budgetary allocations to support the expanded mandate. The decision to rechristen the name comes at a time when the West Bengal government has been pressing the Centre to release its long-pending dues under MGNREGA. The state has repeatedly argued that the freeze on Rs 51,627 crore has crippled wage payments and stalled ongoing works, and has accused the government of withholding money on political grounds. The Centre has stopped funding the rural scheme in West Bengal since March 9, 2022, based on allegations of corruption in the implementation process. The state is on a warpath demanding payment of dues. Enacted in 2005, the existing law is one of Indias largest social security measures, aimed at ensuring the right to work for rural households by providing guaranteed unskilled manual labour. At present, MGNREGA offers 100 days of work at wage rates linked to state-level notifications, though activists have consistently flagged low wages, delayed payments, and severe underfunding. Activists and several organisations have been demanding that the government raise NREGA wages to match state minimum wages, noting that the proposed Rs 240 per day remains below statutory minimum wages in many states, effectively institutionalising wage discrimination. There has been a long standing demand to increase the overall budget substantially, as the programme regularly runs out of funds midway through the financial year, forcing states to halt work or delay wages. Another demand was to remove Aadhaar-linked payment barriers. Since January 1, 2024, ABPS has been made mandatory.
Kolkata Diary | CM to review prep for Gangasagar mela
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with her cabinet colleagues, chief secretary, home secretary, DGP and senior officials at the state secretariat, Nabanna, on Monday to review preparations for the Gangasagar mela to be held mid-January in South 24 Parganas district. Lakhs of Hindu pilgrims from across the country gather at the fair ground every year on Makar Sankranti to take holi dip at Gangasagar. The fair is likely to draw a bigger turnout this time in the absence of other mega religious festivals like Kumbh Mela, said officials. Its learnt that the CM will distribute responsibilities related to the Gangasagar event among senior ministers. She will also visit Gangasagar to review the situation. Chicken patty sellers beaten up, three held Kolkata Police arrested three people on Wednesday night on charge of beating up two Muslim chicken patty sellers during the Gita recital programme at Brigade Parade Ground on December 7. A video of the incident went viral on social media. Top BJP leaders, including state party chief Samik Bhattacharya, Union MoS for Education Sukanta Majumder and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, attended the Gita recital programme, besides thousands of sadhus. The assault incident prompted lawyer Sayan Banerjee, also a CPI-M leader, to lodge an FIR against some unknown persons. After verifying the video footage, police arrested the accused. Governor wants to vote in Bengal Assembly polls Changing his earlier decision, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose wants to be a voter of the state. On Thursday, poll officials along with a BLO visited Lok Bhavan and gave Bose SIR documents, so that he could become a voter in Bengal. Conventionally a governor votes in the state where he or she is posted. This convention has been going on in Bengal for years. But Bose used to vote in Kerala, his home state, after he became the Bengal governor in 2022. This time he changed the decision and will cast his vote in Bengal assembly polls. Subhendu Maiti Our correspondent in West Bengal subhendu.maiti@newindianexpress.com
Mamta, Ganguly, SRK to greet Messi on his arrival in Kolkata
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Bengal Brand Ambassador Shah Rukh Khan, his successor and former India captain Sourav Ganguly are expected to greet Argentine football great Lionel Messi on his arrival in West Bengals capital on Saturday. Lionel Messi himself has confirmed that he is coming to India between December 13-15, 2025 []
Blueprints for a revival | Indigo is finding modern champions
From reintroducing theIndigoferaplant to West Bengal, to experiments with dyeing stone, and even a perfume in the offing, Indias blue gold is strong finding champions
PM Modi To Address Rally In West Bengal On December 20 Amid SIR Row
With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit West Bengal On December 20. During his visit to Bengal, PM Modi will be addressing a rally in Taherpur, Nadia.
BJP targets Mamata over contradictory claims of filing SIR enumeration form
Since the start of the SIR in West Bengal on November 4, Trinamool Congress chairperson has repeatedly said that she will not fill the SIR enumeration form till all the people of the state have filled in their forms.
Tej Pratap's JJD to contest assembly elections in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh
PATNA: The Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), led by former Bihar minister and Lalu Prasads estranged son Tej Pratap Yadav, on Friday announced that it will contest forthcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to the media after launching the partys membership drive in Patna, Tej Pratap said the party will field candidates in the upcoming assembly elections in both states, with the state committee set to take the final decision. The assembly polls in West Bengal are scheduled for 2026, while Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls in February-March 2027. We aim to expand our partys reach at the national level. Party will make members outside the state as well, he said in response to a media query. In the 2025 assembly elections, JJD fielded candidates in 25 constituencies. Tej Pratap Yadav contested from his old Mahua assembly seat but lost. Ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, the party had entered into alliances with some smaller parties. Tej Pratap also announced plans to launch the partys official website soon and said leaders have been assigned the task of expanding the organisation. He extended support to his sister Rohini Acharya, who had left her parental home and announced her decision to quit politics, severing ties with her parents and brother Tejashwi Prasad Yadav following RJDs debacle in the assembly polls. Tej Pratap pleaded for proper security cover for his sister Rohini, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Saran. I am also not feeling safe these days. I should also be given proper security, he added.
Nearly 58 lakh names may be deleted from West Bengal's voters' list under the SIR, triggering TMC concerns of a Bihar-like setback ahead of the 2025 assembly polls.
Akshaye Khanna Was The School Crush And Mystery Man Of Lovedale, Recalls West Bengal Politician
A nostalgic post by politician Saira Shah Halim recalling Akshaye Khanna's school days at Lawrence School Lovedale has gone viral.
West Bengal Governor makes three-point proposal to ensure safety, security of BLOs involved in SIR
KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Friday recommended a three-point proposal to ensure the safety and security of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who are involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. Expressing serious concern over the safety and security of the BLOs, the Lok Bhavan proposed that the Mamata Banerjee government take three protective measures for them. The Governor urged every district administration to take adequate security measures for BLOs when they visit voters at their doorstep in every booth. The state government will have to make adequate police arrangements at every booth when the BLOs work for the SIR exercise. Bose also proposed that the state government provide all kinds of safety arrangements for BLOs, who work round-the-clock virtually. In Bengal, around 39 people, including three BLOs, have died so far due to SIR-related workload and stress and panic triggered by the misplacement of documents required for the exercise. Expressing strong concern over reports that BLOs and officials engaged in SIR 2.0 are being threatened in Bengal, and several other states, the Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Election Commission that it must flag such incidents or it will cause anarchy. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi urged the poll body to take serious note of state governments lack of cooperation in the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls that had kicked off from 4 November. Bring to our notice instances of lack of cooperation, hindrances to work of BLOs and we will pass appropriate orders, the bench told senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who appeared for the national poll body. Dwivedi cautioned that if matters worsened, the EC might be compelled to seek police assistanceeven though the police fall under state jurisdiction. Justice Bagchi, however, reminded that the poll panel cannot take the police under its control until the election process formally begins.
ED raids Jharkhand-based traders residence over alleged money laundering through coal trade
RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday raided the official and residential premises of Dhanbad-based coal trader Manoj Agrawal at Bhelatand and Dhansar. The action is said to be part of an investigation into alleged money laundering through illegal coal trade. According to local sources, the ED teams arrived at both locations simultaneously at around 7 am and cordoned off the premises before they entered the residence and started the search. On November 21, ED teams from Kolkata had conducted similar raids at the residences and offices of five coal traders and transporters in the district. This action reportedly is based on documents and financial activity obtained during a major raid conducted at approximately 18 locations in Dhanbad last month. The ED team has been conducting searches for the last several hours and action is expected to continue further. Last month, the ED simultaneously raided the premises of Dev Prabha Company, which handles outsourcing work for BCCL, its owner, LB Singh, his brother Kumbh Nath Singh and several other locations in Jharkhand. During the raid on November 21, the ED team had recovered cash worth Rs 2.2 crore and seized over 120 land-related documents from Jharkhand. The ED had also seized cash and jewellery during the raid from the locations of the coal mafia. According to information, EDs investigation is being conducted into the matters related to black coal trade, irregular contracts and illegal financial transactions. The ED, during the raids conducted at 44 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal on November 21, had recovered cash and jewellery worth over Rs 14 crore, along with a substantial amount of incriminating evidence. According to the ED, the action, carried out under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, was linked to a sprawling illegal coal mining, theft, transportation and sale racket that has allegedly been operating across the two states for years. Officials also found various property deeds tied to the coal syndicate, agreements related to land transactions, digital devices and books of accounts belonging to entities allegedly controlled by the accused. According to the ED, raids were conducted at 20 locations spread across Dhanbad and Dumka in Jharkhand. These locations are linked to individuals, including Lal Bahadur Singh, Anil Goyal, Sanjay Khemka, Amar Mondal, and several others associated with their companies and entities. Whereas in West Bengal, ED teams searched 24 premises at Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata, which included residences, offices, illegal toll booths, and coke plants reportedly connected to Narendra Kharka, Krishna Murari Kayal, Yudhishthir Ghosh, Raj Kishore Yadav, Lokesh Singh, Chinmay Mondal, Nirad Baran Mondal, and others. The crackdown stems from multiple FIRs filed by West Bengal and Jharkhand Police regarding an organised coal smuggling racket operating between the two states. The FIRs suggest that a vast network has been transporting coal from Jharkhand into West Bengal using forged or invalid documents. Seized documents, diaries, registers, and digital data have reportedly corroborated allegations of large-scale illegal supply chains and the involvement of local authorities. According to the ED, the syndicate was highly active in border districts, generating huge proceeds of crime. Several registers detailing illegal cash collections and beneficiary lists have also been recovered, offering deep insights into the financial trail of the smuggling network, it said. The investigation is still on and more developments are expected as scrutiny of seized materials progresses.
70-foot iron statue of Messi unveiled, West Bengal Minister touts it as world's largest
The statue will be inaugurated on December 13 when Messi arrives in Kolkata for his GOAT Tour
New NICE Road Connector Cuts Travel Time By 20 Mins For West Bengaluru Commuters
At present, motorists travelling from Mysore Road towards NICE Road have to pass through Nayandahalli Ring Road and Hosakerehalli, a stretch infamous for traffic bottlenecks.
Unity on the menu as PM Modi hosts NDA MPs for a rare dinner at 7 LKM
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hosted a dinner for all NDA MPs from both Houses at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence. The dinner, which featured a range of dishes including several millet-based items, doubled as a show of unity within the NDA under Modis leadership, which he described as a family working towards a Viksit Bharat and a self-reliant nation. Speaking on the meeting, the Prime Minister said the NDA represents a shared commitment to good governance, national development and regional aspirations. Was a delight to have hosted NDA MPs for dinner at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg this evening. The NDA family represents a shared commitment to good governance, national development and regional aspirations. Together, we will continue working to strengthen our nations development journey in the years ahead, he wrote on X. MPs travelled to the prime ministers residence by bus or car, with some opting to car-pool. Several arrived in visibly high spirits, with Union ministers among those displaying renewed enthusiasm. More than 54 tables were arranged, with each table assigned a cabinet minister to represent the Prime Minister and dine with eight MPs. According to sources, Modi played the role of an attentive host, taking time to engage with MPs at each table and ensuring that no one felt overlooked. It was a memorable dinner for us. Indeed, our PM is a great soul who as a host didn't make us feel even a bit overlooked in care and serving the dishes. MPs, belonging to their respective states, were served foods related to their states and PM had interaction over the dinner to us, an MP from Bihar said, adding that the Bihar result had strengthened the NDAs confidence in advancing the country under Modis leadership. While the prime minister interacted with all MPs, senior leaders including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Nitin Gadkari remained seated at different tables, discussing the NDAs priorities in Parliament and in upcoming state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Modis broader vision of shifting India from a developing to a developed nation also reportedly featured in these discussions. During the gala dinner, the prime minister shared remarks on topics ranging from health and managing anger to staying connected with people, food habits and reading recommendations, interspersed with laughter and anecdotes. A senior NDA leader said the most striking aspect of the event was the sense of ease among MPs, who mingled freely across linguistic and regional lines. Many took the opportunity to speak directly with ministers, who noted suggestions and feedback for what they described as a refreshed roadmap for the country. The dinner was also a platform for open discussion on several issues currently being addressed collectively by the NDA at the Centre. Amid delicious dishes, which included many states famous foods, like litti chokha of Bihar and others from West Bengal and South India, we not only enjoyed the dinner as if a NDA family dinner, but also discussed issues which need to be discussed collectively. It was a great to see PM hosting us as the guardian of NDA, several MPs remarked.
West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, felicitated three men arrested for assaulting chicken patty vendors at a religious event, shortly after their bail. Adhikari stated his primary duty is to protect his dharma and Hindu brothers and sisters, asserting his legal team facilitated their release.
West Bengal SIR: Around 30 lakh electors unmapped to 2002 list, likely to be called for hearing
According to sources, the number of uncollectable voter forms in West Bengal has risen to over 58 lakhs, including approximately 24.2 lakhs identified as deceased as of December 11
Standing on humanitarian ground
How a pregnant woman from West Bengals Birbhum was allegedly illegally deported to Bangladesh and came back to India after the Supreme Court asked for her and her child to be repatriated on humanitarian grounds. Her husband and neighbours continue to be entangled in legal battles in both countries, findAlisha DuttaandMoyurie Som
Haven't filled up enumeration form for SIR yet, says Bengal CM Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, recently stirred discussions by revealing that she has yet to complete her enumeration form, raising concerns about the implications of verifying her citizenship. According to officials from the CEO's office, her form is indeed filed but has raised some flags.
PM Modi hosts dinner for NDA; MPs arrive by bus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a dinner for NDA MPs at his residence following the coalition's significant victory in the Bihar polls. Modi emphasized the NDA's commitment to good governance and national development. BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed confidence in future electoral successes, anticipating the next gathering after a win in West Bengal.
CM Mamata files her voter forms on last day after protest; slams misleading media reports
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee finally filled up her own enumeration forms (EFs) and handed them over to the concerned Booth Level Officer (BLO) at her Harish Chatterjee Street residence on Thursday afternoon, hours after she addressed a rally organised by the Trinamool Congress in Nadia district and claimed that she had not filled out her EF. Do I now need to prove my citizenship to a party of rioters? she said while addressing the crowd at the Nadia rally. Thursday was the last day for submission of EFs to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Confirmed sources in the ECI said, The EFs, which she had accepted from the concerned BLO more than a month ago, were lying at her Kalighat residence since then. She handed over the filled-up form, duly signed by her, to the BLO this afternoon. To intensify her attack on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, the Chief Minister had repeatedly said she would not fill up her own EF as a mark of protest against the Commission and the exercise. On November 4, she said she had not personally received any EF form for the SIR from any official. The Trinamool Congress supremo had dismissed media reports claiming she accepted the forms in person at her residence on Wednesday as completely false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt at spreading misinformation. She issued the rejoinder after a section of the media, including Trinamools mouthpiece Jago Bangla , reported that she personally received her EFs from the local BLO. A BLO had come to our area yesterday in discharge of his electoral duties. He came to the office at my residence, enquired about the number of voters in the premises and handed over forms, she had said. A section of the media has reported that I came out of my residence and accepted the enumeration forms personally. This information is completely false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt at spreading misinformation, she reiterated. She has been launching scathing attacks on the Commission and the BJP-led Centre, alleging that the SIR exercise is being implemented in a partisan manner by the ECI in the state. She has frequently claimed on social media and in party meetings that she has not and will not fill up any form until all citizens in the state have completed filling theirs.
Watch: Mamata vs Amit Shah over SIR, accuses centre of targeting Bengalis
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a fierce attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him dangerous and alleging that the SIR process is being misused to target Bengalis ahead of the 2026 polls. She warned she would sit on a dharna if even one eligible voter is removed. Banerjee also accused the Centre and BJP of influencing the process through aligned officials.
Suspended TMC leader Humayun Kabir's move to build a Babri Masjid replica has triggered political turmoil in Bengal, exposing Muslim discontent and challenging Mamata Banerjee ahead of 2025 polls.
Mamata calls Shah dangerous, alleges SIR being used to delete names of 1.5 crore voters in Bengal
KRISHNANAGAR (WB), Dec 11: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday intensified her attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him dangerous and accusing the Centre and EC of using the SIR of electoral rolls to unlawfully delete names of lakhs of eligible Bengali voters ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. Addressing a rally in Nadia districts Krishnanagar, Banerjee alleged that Shah was directly guiding attempts to remove as many as 1.5 crore names from the voters list, [] The post Mamata calls Shah dangerous, alleges SIR being used to delete names of 1.5 crore voters in Bengal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CM Mamata Banerjee slams assault at Gita event, says `Bengal is not UP`
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned the assault on two food vendors at a Gita recital in Kolkata, saying such intimidation wont be tolerated. She accused the BJP of fuelling communal divisions as police arrested three men based on video evidence
Election Commission's BIG move on SIR, extends deadline for 6 states; check new dates here
New dates have been set for the exercise in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No extension was given for Goa, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where elections are due to be held early next year.
Bengal is not UP: Mamata on non-veg food vendors attack
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the assault on two food vendors at a recent Gita recital in Kolkata, asserting that such acts of intimidation would not be tolerated in the state. Addressing a public meeting in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, the chief minister said, All of them (accused) have been 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 .
SIR of electoral rolls: ECI extends timeline in six States, UTs; no change in West Bengal
In Kerala, the last date for submission of enumeration form will be December 18, 2025, and the draft roll will be published on December 23, 2025
ECI pulls up West Bengal officials for not proposing polling booths in private housing complexes
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has pulled up the district magistrates (DMs), who are traditionally engaged in the election process as district electoral officers (DEOs), for not acting on the ECI proposals for setting up of polling stations inside private housing complexes with multiple high-rise buildings across West Bengal. The ECI, on December 10, sent a letter to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, directing him to take immediate steps in this regard. The national poll body, as per its guidelines, had directed the DEOs to conduct extensive house-to-house (H2H) survey for setting up of polling stations in 'high-rise/group housing societies/RWA (Resident Welfare Association) colonies that have common facilitation area/community hall at the ground floor within the premises and in slum dwelling clusters of urban areas'. The Commission had also directed the DEOs to finalise the proposal for new polling stations after taking its prior approval. According to the Commission's directive, they were asked to complete the final proposal much before the draft publication of the electoral rolls so that the electoral registration officers (EROs) can update the control table in ECINet and create parts to prepare draft electoral roll. In a strongly worded communication to the office of the CEO, West Bengal, the Commission has warned that it will take strong action against the DMs as well as DEOs for their failure to send proposals for setting up of pooling booths. The Commission has taken a very serious view of the failure on the part of DEOs in performance of their statutory duty as given under Section 25 of the RP Act, 1951, read with Section 160 of the said Act. The DEO are also liable under the said provisions for any lack of sufficiency of polling stations for electors in the above-specified residential colonies, ECI cautioned Agarwal in its letter. ECI appoints five more special roll observers in West Bengal According to Section 25 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, the DEOs, with prior approval of the ECI, shall provide a sufficient number of polling stations for every constituency. The national poll panel has also stated, during the period after draft publication of Electoral Roll on 16.12.2025, all DEOs shall immediately conduct survey of high-rise buildings, group housing societies, RWA colonies, slums and gated societies having at least 250 houses or 500 voters, with details of available rooms at ground floor level and identify suitable accommodations for polling stations within their premises. The DEOs have also been asked to send assessment reports on the matter to the ECI office through the office of the state CEO latest by December 31. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, and the Trinamool Congress has been opposing the ECIs idea of setting up new polling booths within private housing complexes. The Chief Minister, last month, wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, objecting to the ECIs proposal for setting up polling stations inside private housing complexes 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, the Chief Ministers letter read.
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has pulled up the district magistrates (DMs), who are traditionally engaged in the election process as district electoral officers (DEOs), for not acting on the ECI proposals for setting up of polling stations inside private housing complexes with multiple high-rise buildings across West Bengal. The ECI, on December 10, sent a letter to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, directing him to take immediate steps in this regard. The national poll body, as per its guidelines, had directed the DEOs to conduct extensive house-to-house (H2H) survey for setting up of polling stations in 'high-rise/group housing societies/RWA (Resident Welfare Association) colonies that have common facilitation area/community hall at the ground floor within the premises and in slum dwelling clusters of urban areas'. The Commission had also directed the DEOs to finalise the proposal for new polling stations after taking its prior approval. According to the Commission's directive, they were asked to complete the final proposal much before the draft publication of the electoral rolls so that the electoral registration officers (EROs) can update the control table in ECINet and create parts to prepare draft electoral roll. In a strongly worded communication to the office of the CEO, West Bengal, the Commission has warned that it will take strong action against the DMs as well as DEOs for their failure to send proposals for setting up of pooling booths. The Commission has taken a very serious view of the failure on the part of DEOs in performance of their statutory duty as given under Section 25 of the RP Act, 1951, read with Section 160 of the said Act. The DEO are also liable under the said provisions for any lack of sufficiency of polling stations for electors in the above-specified residential colonies, ECI cautioned Agarwal in its letter. ECI appoints five more special roll observers in West Bengal According to Section 25 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, the DEOs, with prior approval of the ECI, shall provide a sufficient number of polling stations for every constituency. The national poll panel has also stated, during the period after draft publication of Electoral Roll on 16.12.2025, all DEOs shall immediately conduct survey of high-rise buildings, group housing societies, RWA colonies, slums and gated societies having at least 250 houses or 500 voters, with details of available rooms at ground floor level and identify suitable accommodations for polling stations within their premises. The DEOs have also been asked to send assessment reports on the matter to the ECI office through the office of the state CEO latest by December 31. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, and the Trinamool Congress has been opposing the ECIs idea of setting up new polling booths within private housing complexes. The Chief Minister, last month, wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, objecting to the ECIs proposal for setting up polling stations inside private housing complexes 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, the Chief Ministers letter read.
EC flags delay in sending proposals for setting up booths in high rise buildings in Bengal
The Election Commission has expressed serious concern over the West Bengal CEO's office delay in proposing new polling booths in high-rise buildings and housing societies. With a limit of 1200 electors per booth for upcoming elections, the EC mandated surveys for these areas, but received insufficient proposals by the deadline, indicating potential apathy from district officials.
Bangladeshi Man Said His Group Will Rule West Bengal? No, Video Is AI-Generated!
The video had Sora AI's logo revealing that the clip was created using AI and was not real.
'You Have Kitchen Tools': Mamata Banerjee Appeals Women In Bengal To Fight Against SIR
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appealed to women to lead the fight in the state against the voter list revision, alleging that the Centre was attempting to snatch their rights.
You Have Kitchen Tools: Mamata Banerjee Asks Women To Fight Back Over SIR
In fiery remarks targeting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in poll-bound West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked women of the state to be prepared with kitchen tools if their names are deleted
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the assault on vendors selling non-veg food at a Gita recital event, stating such intimidation won't be tolerated in the state. She criticized the BJP for attempting to import communal division and questioned the need for public religious events for political mobilization.
Mamata calls Shah dangerous, warns of dharna if any eligible voter is deleted from list during SIR
Krishnanagar (WB), Dec 11 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday called Union Home Minister Amit Shah dangerous, and warned that she would sit on a dharna if even a single eligible voters name was struck off from the list during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Launching a blistering attack on Shah, the chief minister said at a rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, The countrys home minister is dangerous. You can see it in his eyes its terrifying. In one eye, you see Duryodhan, and in the other, Dushasan. Alleging that the
Mamata calls Amit Shah 'dangerous,' slams SIR, says no one 'will be driven out of Bengal'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him dangerous. The TMC supremo also asserted that she would sit on a dharna if the name of a single voter is deleted from the electoral roll. Addressing a public meeting in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, the chief minister said, The country's home minister is dangerous. You can see it in his eyes... it's terrifying. In one eye, you see 'Duryodhan', and in the other, 'Dushasan'. Alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being used as a political weapon ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, the CM said, If even a single eligible voter's name is struck off, I will sit on a dharna. There will be no detention camps in West Bengal. They are so hungry for votes that they are conducting the SIR just two months before elections. Banerjee said that she herself had not filled out her enumeration form so far. Do I now need to prove my citizenship to a party of rioters? she said, in an apparent reference to BJP. Accusing the Centre of targeting Bengalis, Banerjee said, We have a (Union) home minister who can do anything to label all Bengalis as Bangladeshis and send them to detention camps. But we will not allow anyone to be driven out of West Bengal. We know very well how to bring someone back if they are forced out. The chief minister further alleged that the Election Commission was deploying officers aligned with the BJP to influence the process. Some BJP-backed people are being sent from Delhi to keep an eye on things in West Bengal. They are overseeing the work of district magistrates during SIR hearings, she claimed. The CM also condemned the assault on two Muslim food vendors selling non-vegetarian patties near a Gita Path event in Kolkata, asserting that such incidents will not be tolerated in the state. Speaking at a public meeting in Krishnanagar, Mamata said, All of them (accused) have been arrested. This is West Bengal, not Uttar Pradesh. They beat up patty sellers. We arrested everyone last night. Three people were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly assaulting the vendors at the 'Paanch Lokkho Konthe Gita Paath' (Gita recitation in five lakh voices) at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on December 7. According to the complainants, they were attacked when they had gone to the venue to sell chicken patties. The accused reportedly threw away their stock and forced them to perform sit-ups while holding their ears. A video of the incident went viral on social media. Referring to the mass Bhagavat Gita recital event held in Kolkata, which saw several senior BJP leaders in attendance, the TMC supremo slammed the saffron party for invoking religious texts for political mobilisation. I do not believe in communal divisions. I want to walk with all religions. We all recite the Gita at home whenever we need to. Why organise a public meeting? Gods stay in the heart. Those who pray to Allah do so in their hearts. During Ramzan and during Durga Pujo, we pray together, she said. I want to ask those who keep chanting 'Gita, Gita', what did Sri Krishna say about dharma? Dharma means to uphold, not to divide, she added. They want to destroy West Bengal. They want to capture the state and stop people from speaking in Bengali. We all read and recite the Gita. What is the need to hold a meeting for that? the CM said. (With inputs from PTI) 'What was the hurry': TMC's Sagarika Ghose asked govt on deportation of migrant workers to Bangladesh
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the assault on two food vendors at a recent Gita recital in Kolkata, asserting that such acts of intimidation would not be tolerated in the state. Addressing a public meeting in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, the chief minister said, All of them (accused) have been arrested. This is West Bengal, not Uttar Pradesh. They beat up patty sellers. We arrested everyone last night. She accused the BJP of trying to import a culture of communal division into the state. Training her guns on the saffron party, Banerjee said, I do not believe in communal divisions. I want to walk with all religions. What is the need to hold a public meeting just to read the Gita? Those who pray to God or seek blessings from Allah do so in their hearts. Taking a dig at hose invoking religious texts for political mobilisation, she added, I want to ask those who keep chanting 'Gita, Gita', what did Sri Krishna say about dharma? Dharma means to uphold, not to divide. They want to destroy West Bengal. They want to capture the state and stop people from speaking in Bengali. We all read and recite the Gita. What is the need to hold a meeting for that? Kolkata Police arrested three men on Wednesday night for allegedly assaulting two food vendors at the 'Paanch Lokkho Konthe Gita Paath' (Gita recitation in five lakh voices) at Brigade Parade Ground here on December 7. The arrests were made on the basis of two complaints lodged at Maidan police station, a senior officer said. The complainants, hailing from Topsia in Kolkata and Arambagh in Hooghly district, had gone to the venue to sell chicken patties when they were allegedly attacked. The accused reportedly threw away their stock and forced them to perform sit-ups while holding their ears. A video of the incident went viral on social media. Police said the arrests were made after verification of footage and other evidence.
ISIS-linked module under probe; ED raids at 40 places across multiple states
NEW DELHI : In a major crackdown on a suspected ISIS-linked terror module, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids at around 40 places across Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and other regions, targeting accused individuals, their close associates, family members and entities suspected of facilitating illicit financial transactions. The raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED teams were provided security by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra for the raid undertaken in the state while central security forces assisted them in other areas, the officials said. The federal agency filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognisance of a NIA chargesheet that alleged that certain individuals were part of a highly radicalised ISIS-linked module and engaged in recruitment, training, procurement of weapons and explosives and raising funds to sustain their operations. The ED, according to officials, also took into account intelligence inputs from the Mumbai ATS about an illegal Khair (Kaith) wood smuggling racket that used the proceeds of crime (illicit funds defined under the PMLA) for extremist activities. The accused were allegedly involved in recruitment, indoctrination, training, procurement of weapons and explosives and raising funds to for operations.
Mamata calls Shah 'dangerous', warns of dharna if any eligible voter is deleted from list during SIR
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has labelled Union Home Minister Amit Shah as dangerous. She warned of a protest if any eligible voter's name is removed from the electoral rolls during the ongoing revision process.
Mamata announces Rs 8,487-crore project to build 20,000 km of roads
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Thursday inaugurate one of the states largest road projects, launching work for the construction of over 20,000 km of new roads across the state under the Pathashree and Rastashree schemes, months ahead of the assembly polls, an official said. The rollout of the project will be 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 Ebb And Flow of Muslim Politics In West Bengal: The Humayun Kabir Gambit
Berhampore, in West Bengal, serves as the administrative headquarters of the Murshidabad district. Nestled on the east bank of the Bhagirathi River (the local name for the Ganges as it flows into and divides Murshidabad), it was founded and fortified
Mamata Banerjee to launch Rs 8,487-crore project for constructing 20,000 km of roads
Over 20,000 km of roads will be constructed across rural and urban West Bengal, with 15,011 km of rural roads to be built in rural areas at a cost of Rs 6,987 crore, an official said.
SIR in Bengal: Hearings on claims, objections only at DM offices, directs ECI
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, to conduct the hearings on the claims and objections in the second stage of the three-stage Special Intensive Revision (SIR) only at the offices of the District Magistrates who are also the District Electoral Officers concerned. 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 .
Coal Remains India's Energy Backbone, House Committee Report Reaffirms 1.5 Bn Tonne Target For 2030
Odisha is expected to produce 494 MT by 2030, followed by Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra by 2030
Lack of clarity clouds the future of disputed waqf properties in Kerala
MALAPPURAM: With the deadline to upload waqf property documents to the UMEED portal expiring last Saturday, uncertainty now hangs over the future of thousands of waqf property in Kerala -- particularly those mired in long-standing disputes. Waqf protection groups say most of the pending entries involve properties locked in legal or historical conflicts, some dating back decades and others to pre-Independence lease arrangements. Many mahals are unable to submit proof of ownership because original documents have been lost, destroyed, or deliberately altered over the years. In Malabar alone, thousands of acres of waqf land are under dispute -- in Thaliparamba, Mattannur, Koyilandi, Thrikkarippur, Thathoor and Kondotty. Many of these are listed with the Waqf Board, but we cannot upload them without documents. When we contacted officials, they had no clear answer on the next steps, said K P M Riyas of the Thaliparamba Waqf Protection Committee. He said some properties in Thaliparamba, leased centuries ago, have no surviving records due to internal tampering. Certain committee members destroyed documents to help their relatives obtain pattas. It is impossible to register such properties, he added. According to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, 42,777 of Keralas estimated 50,000 waqf properties have been registered so far. Mahals that missed the deadline are now preparing to approach the Waqf Tribunal, seeking additional time, citing technical glitches, gaps in paperwork, and unresolved disputes. However, both the Kerala Waqf Board and the local management committees admit they are uncertain about the penalties or legal consequences if no extension is granted. The amended Waqf Act mandates digital registration, raising concerns that properties left off the portal could face challenges to their waqf status or become vulnerable to claims by third parties. Mustafa Mundupara of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham said the figures rose sharply only in the final days. Until December 3, only around 17,000 properties had been registered. The sudden jump happened because many mahals rushed at the last minute. But the bulk of the remaining properties are tied up in disputes. We have no clarity from either the Tribunal or the ministry on what happens next, he said. He noted that while the ministry has allowed a three-month extension for properties facing technical issues, the relaxation does not apply to disputed land. The bigger fear is that mahals may lose their claim, allowing encroachers to gain legal rights. Without clear guidelines or immediate intervention, Kerala could face a crisis similar to Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where disputed waqf properties are worth thousands of crores, he warned. Deadline expires Deadline to upload waqf property documents to UMEED portal expired last Saturday Most of the pending entries involve properties locked in legal or historical conflicts
Opposition bats for electoral reforms in House
NEW DELHI: Backing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhis call for electoral reform, several Opposition MPs on Wednesday pushed for cleaner and more transparent systems. Their key demands included machine-readable voter lists, a reversal of the 45-day CCTV data wipe-out rule, greater access to EVMs, and an overhaul of what they described as laws that let election commissioners act with impunity. On the second day of the Lok Sabha debate on Electoral Reforms, Congress MP K. C. Venugopal accused the government of influencing the Election Commission and said the poll body was behaving like an election agent of the ruling BJP, buckling under its pressure. Venugopal pointed to several recent Commission decisions that, according to him, showed clear partisanship. In a digital era, he asked, why were machine-readable electoral rolls still not being created? He also reminded the House that a Supreme Court bench led by now-retired Justice K. M. Joseph had directed that, until Parliament passed a law on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, the selection panel must include the PM, the CJI, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. But when the government finally brought a Bill, it proposed a committee in which the Prime Minister would chair, joined by a Union minister chosen by him and the Leader of the Opposition. Parliament passed that version. Venugopal questioned why the CJI was excluded and sought an explanation from the law minister. Holding up a copy of the ECs 2004 SIR orders, he noted that the earlier guidelines gave six months for the exercise. What was the urgency that the current SIR process needs to be completed within just two months? he asked. From the Trinamool Congress, Satabdi Roy attacked the government for turning the once-respectful word sir into a Gabbar Singh-like fearful figure that amounts to torture for the voters. She declared that, however much the BJP shouts SIR, SIR, SIR, the people of Bengal would stand with madam, referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Questioning the aim of the special revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and UTs, she said, These people know nothing about West Bengal You may have won Bihar, but you cannot win West Bengal. DMK leader T M Selvaganapathi said the government was trying to control independent institutions, claiming the current SIR exercise was illegal and unconstitutional without Parliaments approval. SP MP Dimple Yadav called for a return to ballot papers and accused the EC of following government directions.
Election Commission extends final publication of revised electoral rolls in West Bengal
The Election Commission of India has extended the deadline for updating electoral rolls in West Bengal. The final publication is now set for February 14, 2026. This comes as the Supreme Court has issued a notice regarding the safety of Booth Level Officers conducting the intensive revision.
In a final push before the enumeration phase of SIR is slated to end on December 11, 2025, the West Bengal CEO directs Special Roll Observers to thoroughly scrutinise entries and data before the enumeration phase ends on December 11
EC extends deadline for booth rearrangement in West Bengal
Tipplers swap shots for pints as states shake up liquor laws
Tipplers in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Meghalaya are choosing beer over hard spirits. This shift follows changes in taxation and retail expansion. Beer sales have surged significantly in these states. This trend indicates a move towards more moderate alcohol consumption and increased government revenue.
SIR showdown: Shah says opposition protecting infiltrators; vows detect, delete, deport
The Narendra Modi governments policy, Shah asserted, was unambiguous -- detect all aliens, delete their names from the rolls and throw them out of the country. Shah argued that the opposition had raised the issue only because it could no longer win elections through corrupt practices, asserting that the Congress repeated poll defeats stemmed from its leadership and not from EVMs or vote chori (vote theft). Intervening in the debate on electoral reforms, Shah rebutted the oppositions charges. His 90-minute speech saw frequent interruptions from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who challenged him to a debate on his three press conferences alleging vote chori by the BJP. The heated exchanges eventually led to an opposition walkout. Seeking to corner the Congress, Shah claimed three episodes of vote chori involving party icons Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. He said Nehru became prime minister in 1947 despite having fewer internal votes than Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; that Indira Gandhi granted herself immunity after her election was set aside by the court; and that the dispute of the third vote chori has just reached the civil courts on how Sonia Gandhi became a voter before becoming a citizen of India, a remark that invited sharp reactions from the Congress benches. Shah insisted that SIR was a long-standing administrative exercise aimed at maintaining the integrity of elections in the country. No party, he said, had opposed SIR between 1952 and 2004. He listed revisions carried out under former Prime Ministers Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, A B Vajpayee and even during the Manmohan Singh government. The purpose, he said, was simple remove the deceased, enrol new 18-year-olds and delete foreign nationals. Can democracy be safe when prime ministers and chief ministers are decided by ghuspathiya? he asked. The Home Minister also accused the opposition of attempting to normalise and formalise illegal immigrants by resisting SIR in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. He warned TMC and DMK members that such opposition would cost them heavily in the upcoming assembly elections. The NDA, he said, would continue with its policy of detect, delete and deport regardless of how many walkouts the opposition staged. Responding outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi called Shahs speech completely defensive, alleging that the Home Minister had evaded questions on transparent voter lists, access to EVM architecture and the governments proposal to grant full immunity to the chief election commissioner. Gandhi reiterated that vote chori was the biggest treason, and later posted on X that Shahs remarks reflected a panicked, defensive response.
Video: Mamata Banerjee Tears Centre's Note, Says Funds Being Used As Weapon
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday tore up a note outlining new MGNREGA norms at a public meeting here, calling it a valueless and insulting diktat.
Why may BJP's Vande Mataram pitch backfire ahead of West Bengal Election 2025?
Cultural slips by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers during the Vande Mataram debate have sparked criticism in Bengal, raising doubts over the BJP's strategy ahead of the 2025 West Bengal election.
Sandeshkhali Witness Injured, Son Killed In Accident; Family Blames Suspended TMC Strongman | News18
| A key witness against suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, currently lodged in jail over the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali and other cases, was injured in a road accident in West Bengals North 24 Parganas distric.The witness, identified as Bholanath Ghosh, his younger son Satyajit Ghosh (32), and driver Sahanur Molla (27), were travelling when a truck rammed into their car near the Boyramari petrol pump on the Basanti Highway, killing Bholas son and driver. -newsn18oc_india News18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Hours Before Hearing, Key Sandeshkhali Witness Injured In Crash, Son Killed
A key witness in cases linked to the Sandeshkhali controversy in West Bengal has been seriously injured in a road accident, in which his younger son and the driver of his car were killed.
Voter cards found dumped in West Bengal's Nadia
A police team visited Shantipur and took the sack containing voter cards for verification and said that the investigation is underway
Trinamool MPs demand white paper on MGNREGS funds for West Bengal
Trinamool Congress MPs staged a protest in Parliament. They demanded a white paper on funds for West Bengal. The party alleges the central government owes the state significant amounts.
'Don't want your mercy': Mamata Banerjee tears up MGNREGA note; calls Centre 'disrespectful' - watch
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly tore up new MGNREGA norms, accusing the Centre of imposing 'valueless' conditions and withholding funds. She highlighted her state's Karmashree scheme as an alternative, vowing to increase workdays and asserting Bengal's fight for dignity and federal rights amidst upcoming elections.
Parliament gears up for fresh debates on electoral reforms and Vande Mataram Both Houses of Parliament are set to witness fresh debates on Wednesday, with the Lok Sabha beginning discussions on electoral reforms and the Rajya Sabha taking up deliberations on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. During Tuesdays proceedings, leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju took the floor, sparking intense exchanges. In the Lok Sabha, the NDA and the INDIA bloc engaged in heated debate over electoral reforms and the special intensive revision, with the government accusing Congress of hiding its poll failures and the opposition reiterating allegations of vote theft. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha debated the national song Vande Mataram, a day after Amit Shah delivered a fiery speech attacking the opposition for linking the discussion with upcoming state assembly polls in West Bengal. The storm in Parliament is expected to continue on Wednesday, with the Lok Sabha carrying forward the discussion on electoral reforms and the Rajya Sabha deliberating on Vande Mataram, keeping both Houses in a charged and contentious mood. Haryana MLAs visiting House Haryana MLAs, along with Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, arrive at Parliament to see the proceedings of the House, ANI reported. TMC leaders protest in Parliament over withheld MGNREGA funds TMC leaders, including Sagarika Ghosh and Dola Sen, staged a protest inside Parliament premises on Wednesday, demanding the Centre release West Bengals pending MGNREGA dues. The leaders accused the government of withholding funds unfairly and called for the immediate clearance of all outstanding payments. #WATCH | Delhi | Trinamool Congress MPs protest over Central funds due to West Bengal pic.twitter.com/f01zSHpV6Q ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025 Opposition MPs protest in Parliament demanding Navi Mumbai Airport be named after DB Patil Opposition MPs from Maharashtra, including NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, protest in Parliament, demanding to rename the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) after Peasants and Workers Party leader DB Patil #WATCH | Delhi: Opposition MPs from Maharashtra, including NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, protest in Parliament, demanding to rename the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) after Peasants and Workers Party leader DB Patil pic.twitter.com/QB1eepu0br ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025 Lok Sabha commences Lok Sabha proceedings for the day commence with Question Hour. Rahul Gandhi to fly to Germany mid Winter Session; BJP criticises visit Congress leader Rahul Gandhis upcoming trip to Berlin has sparked a fresh political flare-up, with the BJP attacking him for leaving the country even as the crucial winter session of Parliament is under way. Calling him Videsh Nayak, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla mocked Gandhi for choosing an overseas tour from December 1520, while the Lok Sabha is scheduled to sit till December 19. The Indian Overseas Congress has defended the visit as a major outreach initiative. Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where IOC presidents from across Europe will meet to discuss NRI issues, organisational strengthening and expanding the Congress ideological footprint. Senior leaders including Sam Pitroda and Dr Arathi Krishna are expected to attend. IOC representatives in Austria and the UK said the visit will also open space for discussions with German lawmakers and the Indian community abroad.
'Will be kingmaker in 2026', claims suspended MLA Humayun Kabir; TMC says 'daydreaming'
KOLKATA: Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir asserted that he would emerge as a kingmaker after the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, claiming that no government could be formed without the support of his proposed new political outfit. Claiming that neither the ruling TMC nor the BJP would be able to touch the majority mark on their own in 2026, Kabir said his estimate suggested that no party would cross the 148-seat mark in the 294-member assembly. I will be kingmaker after the elections. No one can form a government without my support, Kabir told reporters on Tuesday, while indicating that the formal announcement of his new party would be made on December 22. I have said that I will contest in 135 seats. You will see that the party I form will win so many seats that whoever goes to take oath as the chief minister will need the support of my party's MLAs, he said. Asked whether his outfit would be called the 'National Conservative Party', Kabir declined a direct reply, smiling and saying, I will reveal everything later. You will know after December 22. He also claimed that the new party would be launched at a massive public meeting. On December 22, I will announce my party by gathering one lakh people. The launch will take place at Berhampore Textile More, the suspended legislator said. Kabir's rift with the TMC widened following his controversial role in laying the foundation for a proposed mosque modelled on Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district on December 6, the anniversary of the mosque's demolition in UP's Ayodhya. The TMC, last week, suspended him for repeatedly defying party discipline and making provocative statements linked to the project. Earlier, Kabir had indicated that he would resign as an MLA following the suspension, but on Monday made a sharp U-turn, stating that he would not quit the assembly. Despite choosing to remain a legislator, Kabir reiterated that he would go ahead with his plans to float a new political outfit later this month and explore electoral alliances. I have not yet spoken to the Congress. CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim has taken responsibility for talks with them. There is a strong possibility of seat-sharing with the Congress and the Left in Murshidabad for the next assembly polls, he claimed. Kabir further asserted that two more MLAs would join his proposed party, though he declined to disclose their identities. The TMC, however, mocked his claim and said he is daydreaming. Humayun Kabir is daydreaming. First, he should try to save his security deposit before discussing the creation of government. Such baseless claims only expose his political desperation, TMC state general secretary Arup Chakraborty said. The Bharatiya Janata Party, the Left and the Congress are the principal opposition forces in the state, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), headed by Asaduddin Owaisi, has also recently expanded its footprint in West Bengal. Kabir has earlier indicated that his future electoral strategy could involve understanding with the Left, Congress and the AIMIM. The AIMIM on Monday ruled out any electoral understanding with suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, dismissing his overtures as politically suspect and ideologically incompatible, days after his controversial mosque foundation ceremony in Murshidabad district. Suspended Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir to float new party in alliance with AIMIM
Mamata Banerjee Tears Up MGNREGA Letter As Centre Resumes Conditional Funding After 3 Years
Mamata Banerjee alleged that despite Tuesdays resumption of funds, the Centre still owes West Bengal Rs 51,627 crore under MGNREGA.
SIR: Voters furnishing forged documents to face strong legal action, says ECI
Kolkata: Voters furnishing forged identity or other related documents to have their names retained in the voter list during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal will be subjected to strong legal action, which might extend to seven years of rigorous imprisonment, the Election Commission of India (ECI) affirmed on Tuesday. According to 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 .
SIR fuels social anxieties in Bengal
The eastern state shares a border and millennia of history with Bangladesh; political mudslinging about undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas reaching a crescendo West Bengal recently recorded over 30 deaths, allegedly due to anxiety related to the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll that is being carried out by the Election Commission of India [] The post SIR fuels social anxieties in Bengal appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Mamata seeks PM's apology over 'Bankim Da' reference
In a passionate address, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what she deemed a significant slight to the revered Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the mind behind 'Vande Mataram.' Banerjee expressed deep concern, asserting that the Prime Minister's informal reference to Chattopadhyay as 'Bankim da' trivialized his monumental contributions.
Land for integrated check-posts in West Bengal in different stagesof acquisition: MHA
The West Bengal Government accorded approval for land acquisition only on November 21, 2023, and the Central Government has made the requisite payment to the State, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has opposed new Union government conditions for the 100-day job scheme. She stated the state will not beg for funds and will continue its own Karmashree program. Banerjee also warned against the BJP, claiming they aim to destroy Bengal's identity and language.
Bengal polls will be announced after publication of voters' list to block legal challenge: CM Mamata
COOCH BEHAR: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that the assembly elections in the state would be announced immediately after the publication of the final electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in February to prevent any legal challenge to the fresh voters' list. Addressing a public meeting at the Ras Mela ground here, Banerjee alleged that the SIR exercise was being used to instil fear among voters. She also attacked the Centre over the alleged withholding of funds under the 100-day work scheme and tore up a note on stage listing what she described as humiliating conditions imposed by the Union government for resumption of payments. They will declare elections just after the final rolls of SIR are out in February, so that nobody gets the chance to challenge the rolls legally. It will be done so that elections are held based on that list, Banerjee claimed. The chief minister alleged that the Election Commission's November 4 rollout of the SIR had created widespread fear among people, making them apprehensive that their names would be arbitrarily dropped from the voters' list. Now we have to prove our citizenship? What greater shame can there be than this? People who have lived here for generations are being asked to prove who they are, she said. Stepping up her attack on the Centre, Banerjee accused the BJP-led government of running an anarchic and autocratic regime and claimed that the saffron party would destroy the culture, language and heritage of Bengal if it comes to power in the state. Mamata Banerjee slams BJP over SIR deaths; says will never allow NRC, detention camps in West Bengal She also alleged that had her government blocked the SIR process, the BJP-led dispensation at the Centre would have imposed President's Rule in West Bengal. They were waiting for a chance. If we had stopped the SIR, President's Rule would have been imposed here, she claimed. Banerjee said that despite orders of the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court, the Centre had not released the dues even after a year and had instead sent a letter placing several conditions on the implementation of the scheme. We do not accept these conditions. Bengal will run the 100-day work scheme on its own, she declared, before tearing the note into pieces from the dais. Claiming that funds under the rural employment scheme had been stopped for four years, Banerjee alleged that other welfare programmes, such as the rural housing and village road projects, had also been stalled by the Centre. She said her government had launched an alternative scheme, 'Karmashree', ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by providing work from the state exchequer and asserted that the programme had been successful. We don't want alms from anyone. Bengal knows how to stand on its own feet, the chief minister said. Reading out from the note, Banerjee cited one condition that requires the labour department to submit quarterly labour budgets. It is December now. Elections will be announced in February. When will we show all this? she asked. She also alleged that another condition restricts the number of workers to 10 per gram sabha. Does this ever happen? Even one family can have 10 poor people, she said, adding that the Centre had also spoken about mandatory training for workers. Holding up the paper, Banerjee said, This has no value. It is a valueless paper. I consider this an insult and a humiliation, before ripping it apart on the stage.
West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board Announces WB JECA Online Counselling Schedule
Round 1 WB JECA results will be declared on December 17, with reporting to allotted institutes by December 21. Round 2 results follow on December 23.
Bow Your Head: Mamata Banerjee Seeks PM Modi's Apology Over 'Bankim Da'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly insulting legendary novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by referring to him as Bankim da in Parliament.
In between heated debates: Amit Shah takes lunch break with BJP MPs at Parliament canteen - video
Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted in Rajya Sabha that the division of 'Vande Mataram' for appeasement politics fueled India's partition. He emphasised the song's enduring relevance in fostering cultural nationalism and driving the nation towards a developed future. Shah criticised the opposition for linking the debate to West Bengal elections, highlighting the song's historical significance during the freedom struggle.
Supreme Court warns EC of anarchy if threats to BLOs during SIR go unchecked
The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over threats to BLOs and officials involved in electoral roll revision in West Bengal and other states. The bench urged the Election Commission to address the situation to prevent anarchy, emphasizing the need for state cooperation in the Special Intensive Revision process.
Let women protest against BSF atrocities: West Bengal CM
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday urged women to protest against the Border Security Force (BSF) atrocities against people residing along the borders in the state. Let the women protest against BSF atrocities on people living in border areas. Let them come to the front to protest against the force, the Chief Minister said today while addressing in a rally organised by her party Trinamool Congress at Rashleela ground in Cooch Behar district. She urged the people to unite against the Central force. I want to see whether our mothers and sisters are more courageous and mightier than that of the BJP, she said. On Monday, while delivering speeches in an administrative meeting in the district she had alerted police administration to take prompt steps if the BSF tortures anybody along the border. Dont get panicked. I can assure you that no detention camp is allowed in Bengal as long Trinamool Congress is there in the state. No one will be pushed back and the BSF or not. We wont be cowed down by the BJP, the ruling party supremo said. We are trying to bring back the four other Bengali-speaking Indian citizens from Bangladesh. We have already brought back the pregnant Sunali Khatun and her eight-year-old son from to their motherland in Birbhum. The BSF had pushed them back to Bangladesh though they have necessary documents related to Indian citizenship, she added. BSF had pushed six Bengalis hailed from Paikar village in Murarai of Birbhum back to the neighbouring country on suspicion of them being Bangladeshi nationals in June. Raising the issue of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state she also said, The Election Commission of India may announce the dates of the assembly polls, scheduled next year, soon after the final voters list is released so that no one can move the court challenging the electoral rolls. Names of many genuine voters are being deleted during the roll revision exercise. People who are still alive being shown as deceased in the voters list by the Commission, she alleged while addressing in the rally. The Chief Minister during her two-day visit to Cooch Behar on Monday afternoon questioned in the administrative review meeting at Rabindra Bhavan in the district about timing and urgency of the SIR. Why must everything be done in such a hurry? Last time in 2002, the process took two years. I dont understand how an impartial poll panel can act so biasedly? she said. She also attacked the Centre, accusing it of not releasing funds due to the state for MGNREGA, the 100-day job guarantee scheme, despite an order of the Supreme Court. The CM charged the BJP-led central government with attempting to starve Bengal financially. All funds allotted for the 100-day job guarantee scheme and awas yojana have been stopped. The Centre has been imposing conditions on job guarantee scheme, she alleged by tear and tore a letter sent by it to her.
Division Of Vande Mataram Song Led To Partition Of India: Home Minister Amit Shah
NEW DELHI, Dec 9: The division of Vande Mataram song for politics of appeasement led to partition of India, Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, as he slammed Opposition for linking the debate on 150 years of the national song with the upcoming West Bengal elections. Initiating the debate in the House, Shah said Vande Mataram was the mantra that awakened Indias cultural nationalism, and remains as relevant today as it was during the freedom [] The post Division Of Vande Mataram Song Led To Partition Of India: Home Minister Amit Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
'No link to Bengal polls': Amit Shah dismisses oppn charge on Vande Mataram debate top quotes
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected claims that the Vande Mataram debate was politically motivated for the West Bengal elections. He stated the discussion was to highlight the national song's importance, especially as it marked its 150th anniversary. Opposition leaders, however, linked the timing to the upcoming polls, accusing the government of distraction.
SIR 2.0: SC slams states over BLO threats, warns of anarchy
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday took serious note of threats against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other officials engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls in West Bengal and other states, warning the Election Commission (EC) that ignoring such instances will cause anarchy. A bench of Chief Justice of [] The post SIR 2.0: SC slams states over BLO threats, warns of anarchy appeared first on Northlines .
Amit Shah Rebuts Priyanka Gandhi On Vande Mataram, Slams Nehru, Indira Gandhi
Countering Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's charge that the NDA government proposed a parliamentary discussion on Vande Mataram with an eye on West Bengal polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said the song is not restricted to Bengal
Supreme Court rules CAA applicants cannot join electoral rolls before citizenship approval
The Supreme Court has made it clear that individuals seeking citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) cannot be treated as voters until their applications are officially approved. Hearing a petition that sought to include CAA applicants in West Bengals electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya [] The post Supreme Court rules CAA applicants cannot join electoral rolls before citizenship approval appeared first on India Legal .
West Bengal SIR: Nearly 50 Lakh Names Flagged for Deletion
Wave of anxiety among voters, state links 39 deaths to 'SIR panic'; TMC government announces compensation, block-level help camps from Dec 12.
Supreme Court issues notice on demand for CAPF deployment in West Bengal
The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission of India to file its response to a petition demanding that Central Armed Police Forces be deployed in West Bengal during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The matter was taken up by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which noted that if [] The post Supreme Court issues notice on demand for CAPF deployment in West Bengal appeared first on India Legal .
SC raps states for non-cooperation in SIR exercise; asks ECI to flag instances of threats to BLOs
The Supreme Court on Tuesday took serious note of reports that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are being threatened and that the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being obstructed in West Bengal and several other states. Expressing concern over the lack of cooperation from some state administrations, the Court directed the ECI to immediately bring to its notice any instance where BLOs face intimidation or where officials encounter hurdles in carrying out the SIR exercise. If such matters are brought before us, we will pass appropriate orders, the Bench observed. The Court cautioned that failure to address the situation could cause anarchy, and urged the ECI to take firm steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the revision process. During the hearing, the ECI informed the Court that continued obstruction could compel it to take police personnel on deputation to ensure the safety of officials and the smooth conduct of the revision process. The Commission stressed that it possesses all constitutional powers necessary to address threats to BLOs and other staff engaged in the SIR exercise.
New feature toidentifyduplicate voters launched on BLO apps in West Bengal
At least 56lakh voters have been identified as dead, duplicate, untraceable and shifted in the State till now
WBSSC Group C and D Recruitment 2025: The West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBSSC) has extended the last date for SLST 2025 applications for Clerk and Group D posts to December 12, 2025. Fee payment remains open until 11:59 PM. The recruitment covers 8,478 vacancies across Group C and D in aided and sponsored schools. Eligible candidates must meet age and educational criteria. Exams are scheduled for January 18 and January 25, 2026. Apply online at the official WBSSC portal.
Vande Mataram debate done with eye on Bengal poll, says TMC
In a fiery session in Parliament, Trinamool Congress slammed the government for allegedly using the 'Vande Mataram' discourse as a political distraction ahead of the West Bengal elections, branding it as a 'poorly executed farce.' MPs voiced their concerns over the BJP's 'polarizing' tactics, while Akhilesh Yadav from SP labelled their moves as 'nationally contentious.
BJP does not value contributions of Bengal icons: CM Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of disrespecting national icons from Bengal. She criticized the party for opposing figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Banerjee also raised concerns about flight cancellations and the hurried implementation of the SIR process.
'Four people, apart from Sunali, are still in Bangladesh'
In a determined move, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal has urged the local police to be attentive and proactive. She issued a strong reminder against stigmatizing individuals who speak Bengali as Bangladeshis.
Muslims have right to build Babri Masjid, says JD(U) MP
In a spirited defense of West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir's mosque foundation stone laying, JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar asserted the importance of constitutional religious freedom. He clearly separated his party's stance from the BJP's condemnation of honoring historical figures like Babur, reiterating a commitment to constitutional values.
Man who threatened Siwan MP and Barharia MLA held in Bengal
On Monday, a construction worker was apprehended in West Bengal for allegedly issuing death threats to Siwan JD(U) MP Vijaylakshmi Kushwaha and MLA Inderdeo Patel over a demanded sum of Rs 10 lakh. The threats, made from Chennai on December 3, appear to be a misguided attempt at garnering attention.
'People Don't Want Me To Resign': Suspended Trinamool MLA Refuses To Quit
Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday made a U-turn on his earlier stand, saying he would not resign from the West Bengal Assembly, days after laying the foundation stone of a Babri Masjid-style mosque in Murshidabad district.
Vande Mataram debate aimed at diverting attention: Opposition leaders
Some of them also claimed that the debate was started keeping in mind next year's West Bengal Assembly polls.
