Amitabh Chakraborty has been reappointed as the BJPs state general secretary in West Bengal, marking his third consecutive term. Amitabh Chakraborty Reappointed as BJPs State General Secretary in West Bengal for Third Consecutive Term
Ayah accused of stealing Rs 10L
Bizman loses Rs 33L to e-scammers
S Kol residents duped in realty, bike sale scams
Man held for raping woman after threatening her child
3 touts held for selling SSKM OPD tickets
Motorcyclist assaults traffic constable, damages body camera in Behala
Woman booked for attacking woman constables during extortion arrest in Santoshpur
100 new AC buses before puja, trams on Puja Parikrama map, says minister
11,596 on Bengal Police final constable list
7 months on, dad seeks cop help to find daughter
Civic polls likely in Nov last week, notification before Oct 31
Durga Puja chanda extortion? Get in touch with us, says Kolkata Police
Cannot pay civic taxes? KMC website still under the weather
Downpour Floods Kol Pockets, Jodhpur Park Gets Maximum Rain
16-yr-old gives birth, 19-yr-old held for rape
West Bengal considers allowing changes to projects on allotted land: Chief Secretary
The proposal comes as several projects in the Bengal Silicon Valley Tech Hub have yet to materialise despite land allotments
TMC ready to back Cong-led fresh motion in Parl against CEC
Switch To Offline Counselling To Fill up Engineering Seats Faster: WBJEE Aspirants
Major reshuffle on cards: Eye on civic polls, Nabin meets Samik, Suvendu, Sukanta
The many categories of SIRs logical discrepancy list keep voters on toes
Up to 11 distinct categories of logical discrepancies have been identified and applied across various States and Union Territories in the third phase of the SIR, expanding from the original four categories initially used when the concept was introduced in West Bengal
West Bengal Police Allegedly Intimidating Opposition Party Workers, Claims Humayun Kabir
Humayun Kabir accuses West Bengal police of harassing his party members ahead of the upcoming by-elections, alleging political bias. West Bengal Police Allegedly Intimidating Opposition Party Workers, Claims Humayun Kabir
West Bengal Opposition Leader Accuses Police of Bias Ahead of By-Election
Humayun Kabir protests outside police station, alleging bias against his party ahead of the October 6 by-election in West Bengal. West Bengal Opposition Leader Accuses Police of Bias Ahead of By-Election
Rahul Gandhi's anti-incumbency claims draw sharp response from BJP
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi countered Rahul Gandhis remarks on anti-incumbency, citing Congresss electoral record in states including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, and argued that the sentiment remains strong against the Congress
The News Mill
Adani outlines road map for big Bengal push, says East must rise for Viksit Bharat to be a reality
Gautam Adani spotlighted West Bengal's pivotal role in enhancing India's economic power, citing its strategic location and other key strengths. He unveiled ambitious plans for investments surpassing Rs 1 lakh crore across diverse sectors in the state over the next ten years.
Gautam Adani Emphasizes Eastern Indias Role in Indias Next Trillion-Dollar Economy
Gautam Adani highlights the importance of Eastern India, especially West Bengal, for Indias economic growth and future investments. Gautam Adani Emphasizes Eastern Indias Role in Indias Next Trillion-Dollar Economy
Watch: Adani Group to invest over 1 lakh crore in Bengal by 2035: Gautam Adani
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation stone for a 2,000-bed hospital in New Town near Kolkata. The 4,000-crore multi-speciality hospital is expected to create 10,000 jobs.
Watch: Adani Group to invest over 1 lakh crore in Bengal by 2035: Gautam Adani
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari laid the foundation stone for a 2,000-bed hospital in New Town near Kolkata. The 4,000-crore multi-speciality hospital is expected to create 10,000 jobs.
Gautam Adani announces 1 lakh crore investment in West Bengal by 2035
BJP spent more in Bengal poll than Cong did in 5 state polls
The BJP spent Rs 286.99 crore on the West Bengal elections, surpassing the Congress's total expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore across five states and a Union territory. The report details spending by major parties in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, highlighting significant financial disparities and campaign outlays.
Adani Group to invest over 1 trillion across sectors in West Bengal
The conglomerate will invest across ports, logistics, energy, roads, green cement and data centres, while its Rs 4,000-crore hospital project is under way in New Town
Howrah (West Bengal) [India], September 24: Iris Clothings Limited (NSE: IRISDOREME), a readymade garment company engaged in designing, manufacturing, branding, and selling garments for kids wear, participated in the Saudi
Nitin Nabin, the BJP's national president, introduced 24 immediate organizational appointments to strengthen the party's framework. The changes encompass vital roles including National Joint General Secretaries and State General Secretaries, focusing on enhancing operational effectiveness in states like Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
Adani Group plans to invest over 1 lakh crore in West Bengal by 2035, enhancing sectors like healthcare, logistics, and power. The investment aims to transform infrastructure and create job opportunities, with a commitment to building a 2,000-bed medical institution in New Town.
TMC name-symbol row: SC asks EC to give time frame for final decision
The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission to outline a timeframe for resolving the dispute. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged the freezing of the TMC's name and symbol. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued the process was flawed due to the ongoing election timelines. The court has scheduled Banerjee's plea for a hearing on September 28.
Adani Group sets Rs 1 lakh crore Bengal investment target, unveils Rs 4,000 crore hospital
Gautam Adani announced plans to invest over Rs 4,000 crore in a healthcare facility in West Bengal. This investment will establish a 2,000-bed not-for-profit medical institution by 2035. Of these beds, 1,000 will be allocated for economically weaker sections under health insurance schemes. The overall plan aims for investment exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore in various sectors.
Justice B.R. Gavais remark was in response to a plea to direct the Union government to invoke emergency powers and protect the State of West Bengal from violence
Adani Group to invest over 1 lakh crore in Bengal by 2035: Gautam Adani
Adani Group investments in West Bengal will be in ports, logistics, power, roads and data centre, the industrialist added.
Adani Group to invest over 1 trillion in West Bengal by 2035: Gautam Adani
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Thursday announced that the conglomerate would invest more than Rs 1 lakh crore in West Bengal by 2035. Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation for a 2,000-bed hospital in the New Town area near Kolkata along with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Adani said the group would spend Rs 4,000 crore on the multi-speciality 'Adani Arogya Mandir', and the project would create 10,000 jobs. Adani Group investments in West Bengal will be in ports, logistics, power, roads and data centre, the industrialist added.
CEC should resign; scrap SIR process, conduct fresh electoral roll revision: Karnataka CM Shivakumar
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 24 (IANS) Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for the scrapping of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and a fresh revision of electoral data to protect democracy and every citizens right to vote. Speaking to media in Bengaluru, CM Shivakumar said, The right to vote is the right to live. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi have raised their voices in defence of the voting rights of the people of the country. He alleged that attempts were being made to misuse the voting rights of ordinary citizens for political purposes. Similar attempts have been made in West Bengal, Bihar and several other states. Now they are trying to do the same everywhere, including Karnataka. I had also requested the Election Commission yesterday to give more time, he said. Referring to differences among members of the Election Commission, CM Shivakumar claimed that the autonomy given to the poll panel was being misused. When a majority of the members do not agree with an opinion, a decision cannot be imposed unilaterally. It would be better if the Chief Election Commissioner voluntarily resigns on moral grounds, he said. The Chief Minister demanded that the ongoing SIR process be scrapped and a fresh exercise be undertaken. We are not talking about Congress votes or BJP votes. Every citizen has the right to vote, and that is the right to live. Nobody can suppress that right, he said. Referring to Forms 6, 7 and 8 used in the electoral roll revision process, CM Shivakumar questioned the manner in which the current exercise was being conducted and alleged that it could particularly affect illiterate and disadvantaged sections of society. This is not merely a matter of opinion. It is a fundamental right. This is the voice of the common man, he said. He also said that the issue should be debated on a larger platform, including in Parliament, and opposed any alleged pressure or intimidation of officials in different states in the name of the Election Commission. We want a fresh SIR to be conducted. Everyone should be given their rights. The situation must be reviewed comprehensively to ensure the right to every vote, and the electoral data must be re-examined, CM Shivakumar said.
Dilip Ghosh Questions Opposition Claims Against Election Commission
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh challenges opposition accusations against the Election Commission, citing lack of evidence. Dilip Ghosh Questions Opposition Claims Against Election Commission
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani to Meet West Bengal CM in Kolkata
Gautam Adani is set to meet West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata, discussing future investments and inaugurating a new hospital. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani to Meet West Bengal CM in Kolkata
WB Police Constable Final Result 2026 Out - Check Merit List PDF, Selected
WB Police Constable Final Result 2026 has been declared on September 24. Check West Bengal Police Constable final merit list, selected and not selected candidates PDFs, result link and cut-off details.
Raj Thackeray demands resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, scrapping EVMs
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 24 (IANS) The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), asserting that recent media revelations have conclusively exposed the complete erosion of the poll body's constitutional autonomy. Citing an investigative media report, which revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded written dissent on at least 14 occasions over 10 months against steps taken by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, Thackeray stated that the findings validate what opposition parties in Maharashtra have been alleging all along. Thackeray, in his long post on X, alleged that the CEC did not act independently but was compelled to take arbitrary decisions to suit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He argued that the concept of an autonomous poll panel now exists solely in textbooks, alleging that under the current political dispensation, autonomy is defined as complete subservience to the ruling party. The objections raised by Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi are too severe to be swept under the carpet. When two out of three commissioners are kept in the dark and sidelined, it proves that electoral rolls were manipulated at will, remarked Thackeray. Highlighting specific instances from the report, Thackeray questioned how key directives regarding voter list software, modification of statutory forms, and mass legal appeals -- such as the 1.61 million appeals filed in West Bengal -- could be issued without the approval of the full commission. He also cited technical glitches in Goa that led to the disenfranchisement of 97 verified voters as evidence of deliberate centralisation and systemic manipulation. Commending the two dissenting Election Commissioners for recording their objections on file, Thackeray urged all opposition parties across India to unite for a larger struggle. He declared that the battle against electoral irregularities must now expand into a nationwide movement demanding a return to paper ballots. The MNS Chief has demanded an immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a high-level independent probe into the alleged masterminds directing ECI decisions, resignation of the current government on grounds of compromised election integrity and scraping of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in favour of traditional paper ballots for all upcoming elections. The Chief Election Commissioner ought to resign, certainly, but the government that came to power by leveraging such a spineless Election Commission should also step down. The fact that there were no celebrations on the streets following the election of a government claiming a majority mandate speaks volumes. This is precisely what I have been saying all along. Therefore, everyone must realise the ultimate truth that only if the Election Commission becomes truly autonomous, as it ought to be, can the ruling dispensation be brought down to earth; otherwise, this battle will be endless, he commented. Responding to queries often posed by political commentators regarding high turnout at his rallies not translating into seats, Thackeray remarked that internal disclosures from within the ECI provide the definitive answer to who steals the votes and how. He concluded with a warning that unless the Election Commission's neutrality is restored, democratic contests in the country will remain fundamentally compromised.
Eastern Railway Enhances Safety at Level Crossings in West Bengal
Eastern Railway introduces advanced safety systems at level crossings in Kolkata following a tragic accident that claimed five lives. Eastern Railway Enhances Safety at Level Crossings in West Bengal
West Bengal to unveil new industrial land policy before Durga Puja: Suvendu Adhikari
The announcement comes as 33 industrial projects receive around 580 acres of land, with proposed investments of about 60,000 crore
West Bengal CM asks Ministers to concentrate on work rather than being hyperactive on the street
Two Ministers of the Suvendu Adhikari cabinet- Minister for Municipal Affairs Agnimitra Paul and Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee have been seen being active visiting streets and hospitals respectively
West Bengal Cabinet Approves Recruitment of 100,000 Government Employees
West Bengals Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 100,000 government employees, starting in October and lasting until March 2027. West Bengal Cabinet Approves Recruitment of 100,000 Government Employees
Suvendu cabinet clears hiring for 1.5 lakh govt posts
Jammu Police arrest fugitive after seven-month manhunt
Jammu, Sep 23: Jammu Police have arrested Karanjeet alias Gugga, a wanted criminal who had escaped from the Juvenile Home at R.S. Pura in February this year, after a nearly seven-month-long manhunt, SSP Jammu said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, the SSP said Karanjeet was among three inmates who escaped from the juvenile home following an incident in February. The other two, both Pakistani nationals, were later arrested in Ambala with the assistance of Punjab and Haryana Police. Following the escape, the investigation was handed over to the DSP SOG and a Special Investigation Team headed by the SP Operations was constituted to trace those involved. Eight people were arrested in that case. The investigation continued and at the same time we were trying to arrest Karanjeet alias Gugga, the SSP said. He said Karanjeet was involved in around 12 to 13 FIRs and police tracked his movements by developing information about his associates and gang links. Police teams followed leads in several locations, including Gorakhpur, Kolkata, Delhi and Maharashtra, but he managed to evade arrest. The SSP said police recently received information that Karanjeet was staying with some associates in Chandigarh. A team raided the suspected location but did not find him there. During the follow-up investigation, police learnt that he was staying at a hotel in Delhi. An SOG team subsequently travelled to Delhi and arrested him, the SSP said. He said the arrest was significant for the ongoing investigation into the juvenile home incident, as police had identified additional persons linked to the case. The SSP said Karanjeets interrogation would help establish missing links in the investigation, including how weapons and mobile phones reached the juvenile home. Police had earlier arrested the person who allegedly supplied the weapons, while further investigation is underway to establish the complete chain, he said. The SSP said Karanjeet had been moving between different locations to evade arrest, with police following leads across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Delhi. On security arrangements at the juvenile home, the SSP said the police had taken up the matter with the concerned department and another location had also been identified for housing inmates. He said further details would emerge as the interrogation of Karanjeet progresses.
For KMC polls, 85,000 SIR appeals yet to be disposed of
Agartala newborn goes home after abdominal cavity operation
After Nandan, short film awaits censor nod for Kerala festival
Airport-bound traffic faces VIP Road hurdles
Works by Ganesh Pyne, Sunil Das, Jamini Roy go under e-hammer after two-day viewing
Engineering student stabs classmate at mall over girl
Eastern Railway Implements Advanced Safety System at Level Crossings in West Bengal
Following a tragic accident, Eastern Railway enhances safety at level crossings in West Bengal with a new automated system. Eastern Railway Implements Advanced Safety System at Level Crossings in West Bengal
A bad Aug: Home registrations drop 23% after clearance freeze
Broken pavements: NKDA floats tenders and work orders
KP app to keep eye on officers
Womans brother and boyfriend arrested for blackmailing her over intimate video
Kolkata set to witness 3-horse race among hospital majors
Deep depression hits coast, expect heavy rain in Kolkata today: Met
City students put analytical skills to test in science quiz contest
KMC deploys teams, pumps for rain response
Health minister & Rajarhat MLA in extortion spat at Dum Dum Park meeting
Bengal govt employees salary with revised DA on Oct 15
After 3-week respite, onion price swings back to Rs 70/kg, makes citizens cry again
Pandals, adverts must not cover CCTV cams: Cops
Mahalaya events at 7 more places
Bikers and cops in parking challan row
Beleghata cops investigate Rs 4.2 lakh digital arrest scam
Man ambushed & assaulted after refusing extortion demand
Senior citizen duped of Rs 1.7 lakh in electricity bill scam
Calcutta High Court transfers Rs 2.7 crore digital arrest scam case to CBI
Land revenue officer held for bribery
BJP appoints new state in-charges; Nitin Nabin congratulates appointees
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Tuesday announced a fresh set of appointments of state in-charges and co-in-charges for various states and J&K. The appointments, detailed in an official press release from the partys central office, take effect immediately and cover organisational responsibilities across nearly all states and J&K. In a post on X, Nabin congratulated the newly appointed State Prabharis and Sah Prabharis. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, their efforts would strengthen the organisation and help realise the collective dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. Notable appointments include Smriti Irani as in-charge for both Chandigarh and Haryana, with Siddharth Shambhu as co-in-charge for Chandigarh and Bhola Singh for Haryana. Baijayant Jay Panda has been named state in-charge for Maharashtra, assisted by co-in-charges Amit Malviya, Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Kamaljeet Sahrawat. In Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Tawde will serve as state in-charge, with Jagadish Patel, Medha Kulkarni, Pradeep Verma and Anant Ojha as co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal has been assigned to both Telangana and West Bengal. For Telangana, Abhay Patil and Rekha Sharma are co-in-charges, while West Bengals co-in-charges are Lal Singh Arya, Rajendra Singh and Pinki Kushwaha. Other key assignments include Biplab Kumar Deb as in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, with Rekha Verma as co-in-charge; Ram Madhav for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand; Harish Dwivedi for Bihar and Karnataka; and Satish Poonia for J&K and Punjab. Mangal Pandey has been named for Assam, while Arvind Bhadauria will head Andhra Pradesh with Vanathi Srinivasan as co-in-charge. Nabin has also appointed Ashish Usha Agrawal as convenor of the media department and Anil Baluni as co-ordinator of the communication department. The list further covers smaller states and J&K, including assignments for Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura. Several leaders hold dual or multiple responsibilities. The circular, issued by national office in-charge Tarun Chugh to all state presidents and organisational general secretaries, aims to strengthen the partys organisational network ahead of future electoral and organisational programmes.
Bengal Inc, time to land on its feet
West Bengal's government has leased land to 33 companies as part of its reindustrialisation efforts. The state aims to improve infrastructure, including energy and connectivity, to attract investors. Identifying targeted industries is essential for Bengal to enhance its industrial policy and competitiveness. The past challenges of land acquisition and trade union issues must be effectively managed. Continued governmental commitment is needed to ensure a stable environment for potential industries.
The facility is expected to become West Bengals first major defence manufacturing unit, creating an industrial base for defence production while generating employment and opportunities for local businesses and ancillary industries.
After damning reports on CEC, Tejashwi Yadav seeks re-election in Bihar and West Bengal
He also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are misusing constitutional institutions and treating them like wings of the Bharatiya Janata Party
October salary, enhanced DA to be paid in advance to Bengal govt employees ahead of festive season
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 23 (IANS) The West Bengal government will be paying the October salary in advance to the state government employees along with the enhanced dearness allowance (DA) to them amid the forthcoming festive season starting with the Durga Puja next month. According to a notification issued by the State Finance department on Wednesday, the October salary along with the enhanced dearness allowance will be credited to the salary accounts of the government employees on October 15, that is a day before the beginning of the Durga Puja with Maha Shashthi on October 16. Incidentally, the polling for election for the Rajya Sabha seat vacated following the resignation of the former Trinamool Congress MP and the actress-turned-politician Koel Mallick in July this year will also be conducted on October 16. As per the notification issued by the State Finance department on Wednesday, the pension amount for the retired state government employees will also be credited to their accounts on October 15. The notification states that in addition to government salaries, salaries of grant-in-aid sectors, wages, remuneration, honorariums and stipends of various contractual employees will also be paid on October 15. State government employees usually get their salaries at the end of the month or at the beginning of the next month. As per an earlier memo issued by the state government, the dates for payment of salaries and pensions were fixed on a monthly basis. However, in the current guidelines, the state government has decided to pay this special advance salary only for the month of October 2026. In the notification issued on Wednesday, signed by the Additional Chief Secretary to the state Finance department, PK Mishra, special instructions have been given to the officials to make the work of the treasuries in the matter smooth. In the notification, it has also been claimed that the bills should be submitted in advance so that the money reaches everyone's account on the specified day of October 15. The notification, in addition, had directed that the drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) and the deposit account administrators to submit bills or advice to the Treasury in advance and give mandate to the treasuries accordingly to avoid problems in distributing the advance salary money within the specified date.
Man trampled to death by elephant in Midnapore forest
Cops nab 2 Mamata TMC workers day after netas face violence
HC returns TMC eviction appeal to trial court
Sunil Bansal retains BJP Telangana charge, gets two co-incharges
Hyderabad: Announcing some organisational changes on Wednesday, September 23, the BJP has retained Sunil Bansal as in-charge of party affairs in Telangana. Abhay Patil and Rekha Sharma have been appointed as co-incharges of state party affairs. Bansal has also been retained as the partys in-charge for West Bengal. , 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 .
SC to hear Mamata Banerjees plea against EC freezing Trinamool name, election symbol tomorrow
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Thursday Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjees plea challenging the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) decision to freeze the partys name and its reserved election symbol amid an ongoing dispute between rival factions. As per the Cause List published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana will hear the matter on September 24. The case is listed at serial number 26 before the CJI-led Bench as a fresh civil case for admission. Mamata Banerjee has filed the plea against the ECIs interim decision to freeze the name All India Trinamool Congress and its reserved Flowers and Grass election symbol amid the dispute between rival factions of the party. The petition names the Election Commission of India, its Secretary and rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee as respondents. On Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mamata Banerjee, had sought urgent listing of the plea before CJI Surya Kant. They (ECI) issue a by-poll notification and in the middle of the notification, they freeze the symbol. We want urgent listing, he submitted. At this, the CJI observed that the rival side would also have submissions to make and assured that the matter would be considered for listing. Both sides will have something to say. When the matter is listed, then argue. We will try to list, the CJI said. The plea was filed after the poll panel passed an interim order barring both factions from using the partys existing name and election symbol, observing that two rival groups were claiming to be the recognised political party. The ECI had said that the dispute required a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, and directed both groups to submit alternative names and symbols for the upcoming by-elections. The poll panel subsequently allotted the Mamata Banerjee-led faction the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the football player symbol, while the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the envelope symbol. The interim arrangement applies to the October 6 by-elections in West Bengal for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has challenged the freezing of the partys established name and symbol pending a final determination of the dispute, maintaining that it does not accept the ECIs interim order. The rival camp led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed control over the partys organisational and legislative structures. The dispute over the partys organisational control had also spilled over into Parliament, where 20 rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs had broken away and aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), claiming recognition as a separate parliamentary group. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction had challenged the delay by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in deciding disqualification petitions against the 20 rebel MPs under the anti-defection law. It has maintained that the MPs were elected on its symbol and that their subsequent decision to join another political formation attracts the provisions of the anti-defection law. However, the rebel faction has claimed the support of more than two-thirds of the Trinamool's Lok Sabha MPs and sought recognition as a separate parliamentary group. The organisational dispute subsequently reached the ECI, with both sides staking claim to the party name and symbol. The poll panels interim order stated that the temporary arrangement was intended to place the rival groups on an even footing and protect their respective rights and interests until a final determination of the dispute.
BJP challenges Oppns vote chori claim; cites Trinamool wins in seats with highest deletions
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra on Wednesday launched a strong defence of the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying internal deliberations among Election Commissioners should not be portrayed as a sign of discord but as part of a functioning democratic institution. Reacting to the controversy surrounding the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Patra questioned the Opposition's repeated allegations against the poll panel and said the final authority in a democracy rests with the people. Patras press conference followed The Indian Express report of September 23 that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised 14 formal objections over 10 months to the Commission's decisions, including issues linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. At a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Patra said the Election Commissioners had held 14 rounds of official deliberations before reaching consensus on undertaking the SIR exercise. He questioned why the Opposition was objecting to discussions within the Commission, arguing that debate and consultation among constitutional functionaries signalled a vibrant democracy. Patra said the BJP had no intention of speaking on behalf of the Election Commission as the poll panel had already put out its own response. However, he sought to place the Opposition's allegations in what he described as a broader political context. He alleged that parties that had repeatedly lost elections were now targeting constitutional institutions after failing to secure electoral mandates. Referring particularly to the Congress, Patra alleged that attempts to undermine the Election Commission were part of a larger effort to discredit institutions when electoral outcomes did not favour the Opposition. On allegations of vote chori, Patra cited figures from West Bengal and said the Opposition's narrative did not correspond with the electoral results. He said that among the 20 constituencies witnessing the highest number of deleted names from electoral rolls, the Trinamool Congress won 13 while the BJP won six. If deletion of names from electoral rolls benefits the BJP, then how does the Opposition explain the TMC winning the majority of these constituencies? Patra asked, arguing that the electoral data needed to be examined before making sweeping allegations. He also pointed to the BJP-NDA's electoral record between 2014 and 2024, saying the alliance had won some elections and lost others, formed governments in some states and lost power in others. He said this record raised questions over the Opposition's claim that the Election Commission was being managed to favour the BJP. Patra also questioned the Congress over controversies surrounding the appointment of Election Commissioners during its tenure. Referring to former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami's concerns about the appointment of Navin Chawla and allegations of his political proximity to the Congress, Patra asked the party to explain its position. He also referred to newspaper headlines from that period suggesting that Sonia Gandhi had appointed the Chief Election Commissioner and questioned what constitutional position she held at the time that empowered her to make such an appointment. Defending the current appointment process, Patra said transparency had been strengthened by including the Leader of the Opposition in the mechanism for appointing Election Commissioners. He urged political parties to respect the process upheld by the Supreme Court and the mandate voters delivered. Patra further questioned the Opposition's position on the Election Commission, SIR and EVMs, asking what electoral institutions it trusted if it had lost faith in all three. He said that from 2014 onwards, the BJP had faced both victories and defeats in different elections, adding that governments had changed through the electoral process. The ultimate verdict in a democracy, he said, comes from the people through their votes.
Bengal: ER installs modern safety system after death incident
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 23 (IANS) The level crossing gate in West Bengal, where an accident claimed five lives earlier this year, was made safer by Eastern Railway (ER) on Wednesday through the commissioning of the Non-Interlocked Level Crossing (NILC) Auto PN (Private Number) System. The system was also installed at two other level crossing gates between the Karnasubarna and Khagraghat Road stations in the presence of ER General Manager Gitika Pandey. On the morning of July 17 this year, the gateman at one of the upgraded level crossings failed to shut it down in time, allowing a school pool car to enter the path of a train. Four children, who were travelling in the car, were killed. A cyclist also died in the accident. Several other children and the pool car driver suffered serious injuries. Since then, the Ministry of Railways has urged ER to take remedial measures. During the day, Pandey reviewed the prescribed operating procedures at one of the level crossing gates and interacted with the gateman to assess his knowledge of safety rules, gate-working procedures, emergency response protocols, and maintenance of essential equipment. She emphasised strict adherence to laid-down safety procedures and alertness while performing safety-critical duties. She also inspected the interlocking panel at Karnasubarna station and interacted with the station master on duty. She reviewed the signalling panel's functioning, operational procedures, and safety provisions governing train operations. The newly commissioned NILC Auto PN System enables the station master to monitor the level crossing gate status in real time. It facilitates structured PN-based communication with the gateman in accordance with prescribed operating procedures. Under this system, the station manager can ensure that the level crossing is shut before giving a train clearance to pass, instead of relying solely on the gatemans word. The system incorporates several technology-based safety features, including verification of boom and lever locking, RKT-based physical authentication, LiDAR-based train approach and departure detection, real-time status indication, and an authenticated train-cancellation procedure, an official said. Importantly, the system functions as an additional safety aid and supplements the prescribed operating procedures, communication protocols, and physical verification carried out by railway operating staff. It is intended to improve situational awareness, strengthen communication between the station master and gateman, and reduce the possibility of procedural lapses during train operations, he added. The commissioning of the NILC Auto PN System at the three level crossing gates between Karnasubarna and Khagraghat Road marks another important step in ERs ongoing programme of technology-driven safety enhancement and modernisation of level crossing operations. The system will gradually be introduced at other non-interlocked level crossing gates, the official added.
