SIR in Bengal: Mamata slams ECI after death of BLO in Jalpaiguri
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed shock over the death of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Jalpaiguris Mal block, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has imposed inhuman pressure on field workers and led to 28 deaths so far. The chief minister claimed the deceased 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 .
BLO dies by suicide due to work pressure in WB, CM Mamata Banerjee demands ECI to halt SIR exercise
KOLKATA: A Booth Level Officer (BLO), Shanti Muni Ekka, a resident of Rangamati panchayat, died by suicide on Wednesday in West Bengal, allegedly due to tremendous work pressure in connection with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State. Hours after the BLOs death, the CM Mamata Banerjee came down heavily on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that precious lives are lost due to work pressure and stress generated by the SIR process. She urged the Commission to immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost. This incident comes hardly 10 days after a BLO in East Burdwan on 9 November died of a cerebral attack allegedly triggered by relentless work pressure during the ongoing electoral roll revision drive. Deeply shocked and saddened. Today again, we lost a Booth Level Officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri Smt Shanti Muni Ekka, a tribal lady, an anganwadi worker who took her own life under the unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work. 28 people have already lost their lives since SIR Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 19, 2025 The deceased, identified as Namita Hansda, was an Anganwadi worker and had been assigned as the BLO for Booth No. 278 in Chak Balarampur, Memari. Shanti Muni Ekka was engaged as a BLO in the rural belt, committed suicide by hanging in a tree close to her residence, according to police. Her body has been sent to the police morgue for postmortem examination. Family members of the deceased alleged that she could not bear the work pressure because of rigorous duty-related distributions and collections of enumeration forms during door-to-door visits to voters. She was suffering from depression as the SIR duty became unbearable to her, they alleged. Mamata slammed the national poll body on her X handle post this afternoon, saying, Today, once again, we lost a Booth Level Officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri Smt Shanti Muni Ekka, a tribal lady, an anganwadi worker who took her own life under the unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work. 28 people have already lost their lives since SIR began some due to fear and uncertainty, others due to stress and overload. Precious lives are being lost due to the unplanned, relentless workload imposed by the so-called Election Commission of India. A process that earlier took three years is now being forced into two months on the eve of elections to please political masters, putting inhuman pressure on BLOs. I urge the ECI to act with conscience and immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost, she added. The state OBC minister, Buluchik Baraik, visited the bereaved family members of the deceased BLO.
AIMIM to contest from minority-dominated seats in Bengal Assembly polls
Kolkata: Asaduddin Owaisis All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has started strengthening its organisational bases in West Bengals two minority-dominated districts of Malda and Murshidabad in preparation to fight the 2026 Assembly elections. The party has a special focus on Malda. The state leadership of AIMIM has already started announcing the names of the partys block 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 .
Mamata slams ECI after death of BLO in Jalpaiguri, alleges 'unbearable SIR pressure'
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed shock over the death of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Jalpaiguri's Mal block, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has imposed inhuman pressure on field workers and led to 28 deaths so far. The chief minister claimed the deceased, an anganwadi worker engaged as a BLO, died by suicide due to the unbearable pressure of the revision exercise being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI). In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Banerjee criticised the Election Commission for what she described as an unplanned, relentless workload ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Deeply shocked and saddened. Today again, we lost a Booth Level Officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri -- an anganwadi worker who took her own life under the unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work, she wrote on X. She said 28 people have already lost their lives since SIR began, some due to fear and uncertainty, others due to stress and overload. Such precious lives are being lost because of the unplanned, relentless workload imposed by the so-called Election Commission of India A process that earlier took three years is now being forced into two months on the eve of elections to please political masters, putting inhuman pressure on BLOs, she said. Banerjee urged the Election Commission to act with conscience and suspend the drive immediately, warning that more lives may be lost if the current pace of SIR work continues. I urge the ECI to act with conscience and immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives, she said. TMC leaders have repeatedly accused the ECI of advancing deadlines and burdening BLOs with excessive field verification tasks in the run-up to the polls. The ruling party has maintained that several workers have collapsed due to long working hours, travel requirements, and pressure to meet deadlines. There was no immediate response from the ECI to the chief minister's allegations. Opposition parties, however, have dismissed the TMC's accusations, saying the government is attempting to deflect responsibility for poor administrative support to field-level workers.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it cannot pass lanket orders protecting doctors involved in protests in the aftermath of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma said any order passed would amount to interference with the authority of the police. Observing that the matter cannot be heard piecemeal, the apex court said it was inclined to transfer the matter to the Calcutta High Court. We are grappling with so many things and there is no end to this. It is easier for the Calcutta High Court to monitor protests. Is it possible for us to monitor the protests in Kolkata sitting in Delhi? How can we pass blanket orders protecting doctors. The police has a right to call you, the bench observed orally. The top court directed senior advocate Karuna Nundy, representing the Association of junior and senior doctors, to submit a table of matters pending before the Calcutta High Court. During the hearing, Nundy submitted that protesting doctors were being harassed by the police and were called for interrogation repeatedly. She sought directions from the apex court that protection be given to the doctors. The matter will now be heard after winter vacations. The body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was found in the hospital's seminar room on August 9 last year. Kolkata police arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, the next day. On January 20, a Kolkata trial court awarded convict Roy life term imprisonment till death in the case. The heinous crime triggered nationwide outrage and prolonged protests in West Bengal. The apex court, even after the primary conviction, is monitoring multiple ancillary issues, including regularising the unauthorised absence of doctors. While taking suo motu notice of the case, the bench constituted a National Task Force (NTF) on August 20 last year to formulate a protocol to ensure safety and security of medical professionals in the wake of the crime. In November last year, the NTF in its report -- part of the Central government's affidavit -- said a separate central law to deal with offences against healthcare professionals was not required. The panel said state laws had adequate provisions to address minor offences besides serious ones under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. In a slew of recommendations, the NTF said 24 states had enacted laws to address violence against health care professionals while defining the terms health care institutions and medical professionals. Initially investigated by the Kolkata police, the case was transferred to the CBI on August 13 after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction over the former's investigation. The top court subsequently assumed oversight of the matter on August 19, 2024. A year on, RG Kar victim's parents still ask: 'Who killed our daughter?'
The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) has announced the results for the online stray round of WB NEET UG Counselling 2025. Candidates can now check their seat allotment and download allotment letters from the official website. Those allotted seats must complete reporting and admission formalities by November 20, 2025, to secure their place in state, private, and NRI quota medical colleges.
Defamation case filed against TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee over 'arms stockpile in Raj Bhavan' remark
KOLKATA: Raj Bhavan on Tuesday filed a defamation case with the Calcutta High Court against the veteran Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee for making invective remarks against West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose aggravating the spat between the two for the past couple of days. It has not yet been confirmed whether the complaints have been treated as an FIR so far till tonight. The charges are so serious that it may sentence an accused to jail for maximum seven years. While reacting to Raj Bhavans move against him, Kalyan told TNIE tonight, I will also move the court tomorrow. The Governor acts like a BJP worker and with clearance from Amit Shah, he has filed cases against me. He wants to project me an extremist by giving so many cases under different Sections of the BNS. His move is false, motivated and vindictive, the ruling party MP said. Raj Bhavan sources claimed that the MPs remarks are not only political but also detrimental to national security. An officer on special duty (OSD) on behalf of the Raj Bhavan has filed a petition against the ruling party MP from Sreerampur constituency in the state under Sections 151, 152, 197, 196A and 196B, 353-1B and 353C, 353-2 under the BNS. Bose on Sunday had threatened to take legal action against Kalyan for his remarks he made on Saturday. The MP had made the remarks while reacting to Boses recent statement on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar claiming that the exercise helped purify voter list. As long as an incompetent governor like you remains, as long as a BJP-servant governor remains, you will never see anything good happening in West Bengal, Kalyan added. The Raj Bhavan, in an official statement, on Sunday had demanded an apology from Kalyan and called for an immediate inquiry into the matter, noting that the MPs allegations suggested a breach of Z-plus category security for the Governor. The faceoff between the Bose and Kalyan aggravated further on Monday after the former asked Kolkata Police (KP) seeking to deploy its bomb disposal squad with a sniffer dog, disaster management team and civil defence department to conduct search operations inside the Raj Bhavan premises to find out whether arms and ammunitions are lying stacked there. Kalyan further claimed that the Governor had been sheltering BJP goons and supplying them with arms and ammunitions to kill his party workers. Police officials and bomb disposal squad and CRPF men conducted combing operations inside the Raj Bhavan premises including every room, and other parts and lawns on Monday afternoon under the Governors physical supervision. Employees at Raj Bhavan were also asked to vacate their rooms so that search process could be done thoroughly. Nothing is found during the search. I will take legal action against Kalyan. Bengal has tradition of making wrong and fake allegations against Governor. But I have decided to take strong actions if fake allegations are made, Bose told reporters after the search operations ended today. Earlier in 2024, molestation charges brought against him by a woman employee at Raj Bhavan was proved false and baseless after an inquiry through a retired judge Poducherry.
Jharkhand to introduce AI-based elephant alert system along Chhattisgarh border
RANCHI: Jharkhand is all set to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Elephant Alert System in regions bordering Chhattisgarh. According to officials, states first AI-based camera hooter system will be installed near Rajabasa village under the Chakulia Range of Jamshedpur Forest Division as a pilot project. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari informed that it will be Jharkhands first such AI-powered hooter system designed to detect elephants entering a particular area automatically and alert the villages by sounding the hooter. As soon as an elephant enters the visibility rage of the AI-based cameras, the hooter will sound automatically, alerting villagers to protect their families, and livestock, said the DFO. This will be first such project in Jharkhand on the lines of Chhattisgarh, he added. The DFO further added that the entire system is solar-powered and can be monitored in real time through a laptop or mobile app, even during power cuts. As of now, five cameras will be installed covering the village from all sides, he said. Looking at the success of this project, it will be expanded to other elephant prone areas, including Ghatshila, Potka and Bodam ranges, said the DFO. The AI-based hooter system will not only reduce damage to the life and property but also mark a major step toward ensuring peaceful human-elephant coexistence in Jharkhand, he added. Besides alerting the villagers, the forest department teams will also receive an alert message to remain cautious. The system will also allow authorised forest officials to control it remotely. These AI-based cameras will sound the hooter by only if an elephant or a herd of elephants comes into its visibility range and will ignore if any other animal or human being crosses by it, said Ansari. According to sources in forest department, the hooter system will sound alerts in two phases; firstly, when elephants are four kilometres away, the siren will sound for 20 seconds and secondly, when they reach within the range of two kilometres, a louder siren will sound for 40 seconds, so that the villagers to go to a safer place. Notably, Chakulia Forest Range, under Kolhan region of Jharkhand, is an elephant prone zone, having more than 15-20 elephants at a time which sometimes goes to 35-40 after the influx of elephants from neighbouring West Bengal. The region witnesses frequent man-animal conflicts resulting to significant loss of life. Due to frequent wandering of elephants, Chakradharpur (CKP) Division under South Eastern Railways is also to installed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS) soon to protect elephants being mowed down by the speeding trains. This system detects the presence of elephants around the rail tracks and inform the loco pilots on time. The Intrusion Detection System, for which a successful trail was completed recently along the Barabamboo-Chakradharpur-Lotapahar section, detects the presence of elephants around the rail track and informs the loco pilots on time so that they can slow down the speeding train. This system will operate through fiber optics and sensors. This step will prove to be very crucial in Kolhan region, where a large number of elephants cross railway tracks on regular basis and many of them are hit be trains and get killed.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Sikkim to review operational preparedness
NEW DELHI: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), arrived in Sikkim on Tuesday on a two-day official visit. This follows his comment on Monday that relations between India and China have improved a lot over the last year . He attributed this change to a rise in communication at various levels between the two countries. General Dwivedi will be meeting the commanders posted there and review the operational preparedness of the force. The Trishakti Corps based in Sukna, West Bengal, is mandated to defend the 220-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) along Sikkim. There has been disengagement of Indian and Chinese forces from all standoff points in October 2024. But the troops, along with their equipment and armaments, remain deployed close to the 832-km LAC in eastern Ladakh. China had carried out a massive force deployment in eastern Ladakh after PLA soldiers clashed with Indian Army troops at Finger 4 in May 2020. Around a year after the May 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, a new hotline between the two countries was established. The New Indian Express earlier reported that the new hotline was established between Indian Army in Kongra La, North Sikkim, and PLA at Khamba Dzong in the Tibetan Autonomous Region to further the spirit of trust and cordial relations along the borders. The armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at ground commander level. There are now six hotlines, with two in eastern Ladakh, two in Sikkim and two in Arunachal Pradesh. The other five hotlines have been established along the meeting points at the LAC at Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in eastern Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, and at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. India shares a 3488-km border with China that runs along the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The length of the border along Sikkim is 220 km. Sikkim also shares borders with Nepal and Bhutan To the south of Sikkim lies the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch adjoining Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, measuring about 170x60km, and at its narrowest, around 20-22km, which holds tremendous geopolitical importance. Functioning as a crucial link connecting the northeast of India with the rest of the country, it accommodates major national highways, railway lines, pipelines, and optical fiber connectivity. In 2023, it was announced that border guarding forces are set to play a pivotal role in fortifying the security of the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chickens Neck, during peacetime.
PM-KISAN funds row in West Bengal: BJP claims 10,500 crore disbursed; TMC cries foul
State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya alleges TMC reluctance delayed benefits for 46 lakh farmers; TMC counters, calling the claims preposterous and baseless
ICG apprehends three Bangladeshi fishing boats with 79 crew for operating illegally in Indian waters
NEW DELHI: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi fishing boats (BFBs), along with 79 crew members, for engaging in illegal fishing inside Indias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on 15 and 16 November 2025. The Bangladeshi fishing boats were detected operating well within Indian waters while an ICG ship was undertaking IMBL surveillance in the northern Bay of Bengal. The ICG statement said, The fishing boats were operating in violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981. The vessels were promptly intercepted, boarded and thoroughly inspected by ICG boarding teams, the force added. None of the crew possessed valid authorisation or permits to fish within the Maritime Zones of India. The onboard fishing gear and freshly caught fish confirmed ongoing illegal fishing activity. Consequently, all three BFBs, along with their crew, were apprehended and safely escorted to Frazerganj. Upon arrival, the boats and their personnel were handed over to the Marine Police at Frazerganj for further legal action. This operation, the ICG said, underscores the seamless coordination between the West Bengal Police and the Indian Coast Guard, as well as the ICGs unwavering commitment to safeguarding Indias maritime interests, deterring illegal fishing and ensuring the safety and security of Indian fishermen operating in national waters. The Indian Coast Guard added that it continues to maintain an unrelenting vigil in the Bay of Bengal through continuous surface and aerial surveillance to enforce maritime laws and protect national maritime assets.
SIR Phase 2: Nearly 99% enumeration forms distributed to electors in 12 States, Union Territories
Among these States and UTs, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026
ECI working on 'sinister design' to 'destroy' democracy, Opposition parties through SIR: Congress
The SIR is underway in Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep
EC working on 'sinister design' to 'destroy' democracy, Opposition parties through SIR: Congress
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday accused the Election Commission of working on a sinister design to destroy democracy and opposition parties through the SIR exercise, and vowed to take to the streets by holding a protest rally at Ramleela Maidan here in the first week of December. Upping the ante over its 'vote chori' pitch, the Congress said the poll body's conduct during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has been deeply disappointing as the exercise is aimed at deleting targeted votes and demanded that it must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP's shadow. AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal told reporters after the meeting that the Election Commission's motive is to destroy democracy and opposition parties, which has never happened in history. We are going to the streets. During the first week of December, the Congress party is organising a massive rally in Ramleela Maidan with lakhs of people attending it, he told reporters, adding that the Congress will expose the Election Commission by organising the protest event. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who chaired a meeting with key office-bearers from 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) where the SIR is underway, alleged that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the exercise of the electoral rolls process for vote chori. Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretaries participated in a review meeting with state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and UTs where the SIR is underway. The states and UTs are Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026. Phase-II of the SIR exercise began on November 4 with the enumeration stage and will continue till December 4. The Congress party is unequivocally committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral rolls, Kharge said on X after he chaired the meeting. We held a comprehensive strategy review with AICC General Secretaries, AICC In-Charges, PCCs, CLPs, and AICC Secretaries from the states/UTs where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is underway. The Congress Party is unequivocally committed to safeguarding the pic.twitter.com/cVcjyaJGEo Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 18, 2025 At a time when public confidence in democratic institutions is already strained, the Election Commission's conduct during the SIR process has been deeply disappointing, he said. It must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP's shadow and it remembers its Constitutional oath and allegiance to the people of India, not to any ruling party, Kharge said. We firmly believe that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote chori. And if the EC chooses to look the other way, that failure is not just administrative - it becomes a complicity of silence, the Congress chief said. Our workers, BLOs, and District/City/Block Presidents will therefore remain relentlessly vigilant. We will expose every attempt, however subtle, to delete genuine voters or insert bogus ones, Kharge said. The Congress will not allow democratic safeguards to be eroded by partisan misuse of institutions, he asserted. Venugopal said while purification of electoral rolls is an undeniably necessary objective, it must be carried out in a bona fide manner. The ECI's conduct thus far has been to further the BJP's 'vote chori' agenda, setting aside its Constitutional obligation of impartiality. We will relentlessly fight against their attempts to manipulate voter rolls through unfair deletions or the insertion of bogus voters to create space for the BJP to carry out its nefarious activities, he said on X. It is our democracy at stake, and we will stand up to every attempt - big or small - that threatens our Constitutional framework, Venugopal asserted. After the meeting, he said that the general feeling of the Pradesh Congress Committees was that the Election Commission was purposefully trying to delete votes of some sections of the society. The design of the SIR itself is to delete targeted votes. This is what we experienced in Bihar also and now they are going to start it in 12 states, he said, adding that they announced on Monday a different 'Special Revision' for Assam. This is a sinister attempt by the Election Commission to destroy democracy in this country. It is completely unethical and completely undemocratic, he alleged. Noting that the revision of the voter list normally takes place during elections for a longer time, but it is now done within one month. Due to this, several suicides by BLOs are taking place because of pressure, he claimed, adding that they are being pressured by EC officials to complete this exercise within one month. In Kerala, he said, the BLOs have been asked to submit the final list of the SIR on December 9, the day the first phase of local body elections will be held. He said even though the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution for postponing the SIR exercise, the state's chief electoral officer asked the EC to defer the exercise, saying this is not the right time to conduct it, and all political parties except the BJP made the same demand, but the EC is not listening. It is very clear that they are working only on behalf of the BJP and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi. It is quite surprising, he claimed. Congress leader Pawan Khera also said the party's rally at Ramleela Maidan against the SIR exercise will expose the 'mal-intention' and politicisation of the EC. The SIR is to delete names and not add new names of voters, he asserted.
ECI may introduce AI-based voter list verification in West Bengal amid intensive revision
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) may introduce an AI-based verification process for the voter list in West Bengal amidst the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. A panel of ECI representatives arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday to supervise the overall progress of the SIR exercise in West Bengal, one of the most violence-prone states in the country during elections. The dates for the Assembly elections, scheduled for AprilMay next year, may be announced in February. According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the AI-based verification technology would help detect cases where the same photograph has been used to enrol multiple voters. Opposition parties allege that this practice is particularly common during the enrolment of migrant workers, with photos of migrants allegedly used to register dead or fake voters. The national poll panel believes that the application of AI could help curb this issue. However, the use of AI alone is not considered sufficient to ensure transparency in the SIR process. The role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) remains crucial, as they must thoroughly check every detail, including electors photographs, during door-to-door verification, sources said on condition of anonymity. Around two crore voters have yet to establish links with the 2002 electoral rolls during the ongoing SIR drive, which began on 4 November. The ECI is preparing to conduct hearings and verification for this large number of voters. So far, around two crore and forty lakh voters have directly established links with the 2002 electoral rolls, as their names appeared in the post-SIR list prepared that year. It is assumed that another 2.5 crore people will be able to establish their links with the 2002 list if the name of at least one parent features in the rolls prepared after the 2002 SIR, the sources said. These voters will not be required to undergo any further verification. There are 7.66 crore voters in the 2025 electoral rolls in Bengal. We estimate that around two crore voters will need to undergo the verification process to establish their links with the 2002 voter list, the sources added. Meanwhile, the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has deactivated the Aadhaar numbers of around 34 lakh deceased people in the poll-bound state, triggering controversy. UIDAI officials recently met with the office of state CEO Manoj Agarwal to inform them of the mass deactivation. The revelation has caused embarrassment for the ruling party at a time when the ECI is attempting to ascertain the exact number of dead and bogus voters through the SIR exercise. Around eight crore enumeration forms have been distributed so far across the states 294 Assembly constituencies since the month-long SIR process began on 4 November. In addition to the 34 lakh deceased Aadhaar holders, the ECI has identified a further 13 lakh deceased individuals who did not possess Aadhaar cards. The ECI has included Aadhaar in the list of indicative documents that may be submitted as proof of identity during the SIR. Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, have been demanding the removal of dead and fake voters from the states electoral rolls.
Man Presumed Dead 28 Years Ago Returns Home In West Bengal, All Thanks To Voter List Revision
A man, declared dead in Bagda (West Bengal) nearly 30 years ago, has now returned home after the SIR electoral revision, sparking controversy over his identity and voter records
Migrant girl molested in Kerala; two West Bengal natives arrested
The accused entered the house when the girls parents were away at work and molested her, say police
BJP Gears Up With 3-Pronged Strategy to Wrest West Bengal From Mamata
Fully aware that the bulk of West Bengals roughly 30 per cent of Muslim votes is likely to go to the TMC, the BJP has recalibrated its strategy to focus on other minority communities
EC to use AI tools to detect fake, deceased voters during SIR in Bengal
KOLKATA: The Election Commission is set to introduce artificial intelligence-based verification systems during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal to prevent the inclusion of fake or deceased voters, a senior official said on Tuesday. By analysing facial similarities across photographs in the voter database, the AI system will help identify individuals registered at multiple locations. We are taking the help of AI because of a rise in the number of complaints regarding the misuse of voters' photographs, especially those of migrant workers, the official told PTI. AI-enabled facial matching technology will be used to detect instances where the same voter's photograph appears in multiple locations across the rolls, he said. The measure has become particularly important following a rise in complaints that photographs of migrant workers were being misused during voter registration, he said. The official, however, said the booth-level officers (BLOs) will continue to play the central role in the verification process. AI will assist the verification. But despite the use of technology, the role of BLOs will remain crucial. They will be required to conduct door-to-door visits and take voters' photographs directly, he said. Even when booth-level agents (BLAs) submit completed forms, BLOs are required to visit the household in person for signature verification. BLAs will also obtain handwritten statements from voters confirming that the forms were filled in their presence, the official stated. He also stressed the strict accountability norms. If any fake or deceased voter is detected after enumeration and filling of the form are completed, the responsibility will lie with the BLO of the polling station concerned, he added.
SIR in Bengal: EC to use AI tools to detect fake, deceased voters
Kolkata: The Election Commission is set to introduce artificial intelligence-based verification systems during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal to prevent the inclusion of fake or deceased voters, a senior official said on Tuesday. By analysing facial similarities across photographs in the voter database, the AI system will 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 .
Fresh protests erupted in Kolkata ahead of the interview as many untainted teachers who lost their jobs after the Supreme Court order cry foul
Madhya Pradesh HC grants relief to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in defamation case
BHOPAL: TMC MP and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee has been granted relief by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in a defamation case filed against him in 2021 by former Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya. A single-judge bench of the MP High Court in Jabalpur has stayed the arrest warrant issued against Banerjee by the Bhopal MP/MLA cases Court for non-appearance in during the trial of the defamation case. While staying the arrest warrant on Monday, Justice Pramod Kumar Agarwal of HCs principal bench in Jabalpur, also issued notices to all parties in the case, including the complainant in the defamation case, former Indore-III MLA Akash Vijayvargiya. Akash Vijayvargiya is the son of Kailash Vijayvargiya, the former BJP national general secretary and senior most cabinet minister in Dr Mohan Yadav-led MP government. The matter will next be heard by the MP High Court on December 8. Back in November 2020, while addressing a public meeting in Kolkata, Banerjee, the TMC MP from Diamond Harbour seat, had allegedly referred to then MP BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya, as a goon. Taking objection, Akash had lodged a defamation complaint in April 2021. The MP/MLA Court in Bhopal began hearing the case from May 1, 2021. But owing to Banerjees continued non-appearance before the court in the case, the Bhopal special court had issued the arrest warrant against him for the August 11 and August 26 hearings in the case. The TMC MP subsequently moved the MP High Court against the arrest warrants issued against him by the special Bhopal courts judge, Judicial Magistrate Tathagat Yagnik. While hearing Banerjees petition, the HC reserved the order on November 12 and granted him relief on Monday, by staying the execution of the arrest warrant issued by the Bhopal court. The HC also issued notice to the respondents, including the complainant in the defamation case Akash Vijayvargiya and posted the matter for next hearing on December 8. In the High Court, Banerjees counsel argued that the statement made by the TMC MP at the public rally in Kolkata in November 2020, was misinterpreted and sensationalised for filing the defamation case. While seeking stay on the arrest warrant, the petitioners counsel argued that he was a sitting MP and there was no possibility of him absconding. He had filed an application with the MP-MLA Court seeking exemption from personal appearance, but the Bhopal court did not consider the application and issued an arrest warrant.
ECI deploys AI to detect duplicate voters across 12 states in ongoing roll revision
West Bengal Chief Electoral officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal said that the software will do face recognition and will help identify the voters with duplicate photographs. The AI-based software, through the face recognition feature, will identify the voters which are duplicate, the CEO said.
Madhya Pradesh Court Stays Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee's Arrest In Defamation Case
In a relief for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday stayed the arrest warrant issued against him in a defamation case.
'Special revision' of electoral rolls to commence in poll-bound Assam soon
GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in Assam which is expected to go to elections in March or April next year. The Commission has directed a Special Revision u/s 21 of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1950 with reference to 01.01.2026 as the qualifying date in the State of Assam, the Commission instructed Assams Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The SR stands between the annual special summary revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, officials said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was away in London on Monday, posted on X, The Govt of Assam welcomes the Election Commission of Indias decision to undertake a Special Revision of the electoral roll with 01.01.2026 as the qualifying date. He was confident the exercise would help ensure clean, updated and accurate electoral rolls for all eligible citizens. Assam will extend full cooperation to the @ECISVEEP to complete the revision in a transparent and time-bound manner, he further wrote. The ECI said Electoral Registration Officer of each Assembly segment would be responsible for ensuring that no eligible citizen is left out while at the same time, no ineligible person is included in the electoral roll. Any person is entitled to be an elector and on application to be registered in the electoral roll for that constituency if that person is a citizen of India, not less than 18 years of age as on 01.02.2020, ordinary resident of the constituency, not disqualified under any law, and not of unsound mind, the ECI instructions to the Assam CEO read. The Commission had last month ordered the SIR for 12 states and Union Territories Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to elections in 2026. As Assam is also going to polls next year, its exclusions from the SIR raised questions. However, the ECI clarified that separate provisions of the Citizenship Act apply in Assam where the Supreme Court-monitored exercise to verify citizenship was about to be concluded.
Mamata again urges Modi to withdraw order appointing interlocutor on Gorkha issues
The letter she had written on the same issue on October 18 was acknowledged by the Prime Ministers Office and forwarded to the Union Home Minister, the West Bengal Chief Minister pointed out
KOLKATA: The face-off between West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee continued on Monday with the former asking the Kolkata Police to conduct search operations inside the Raj Bhavan premises to find out whether arms and ammunition have been stored there. Bose took this unprecedented move to counter Kalyans claim that the Governor had been sheltering BJP goons and supplying them with arms and ammunition to kill Trinamool workers. The veteran MP from Sreerampore in Hooghly district had made the remarks on Saturday while reacting to Boses recent statement on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Bose had said the exercise helped purify the voter list. As long as an incompetent governor like you remains, as long as a BJP-servant governor remains, you will never see anything good happening in West Bengal, Kalyan added. Police officials, a bomb disposal squad with sniffer dog, disaster management personnel and CRPF men reached Raj Bhavan on Monday afternoon and carried out the search operation in every room and the lawns inside the complex. The search was conducted under the Governor's physical supervision. Employees were asked to vacate their rooms so that the search process could be done thoroughly. Nothing was found during the search. I will take legal action against Kalyan Banerjee. I have decided to take strong action if fake allegations are made, Bose told reporters on Monday. Earlier, in 2024, molestation charges brought against Bose by a woman employee at Raj Bhavan were proved false and baseless after an inquiry by a retired judge. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the Governor had said Kalyan's allegation was inflammatory, explosive and irresponsible. Bose demanded an unconditional apology from Kalyan or else he would take legal action against the Trinamool Congress MP. The latter threatened to countersue if the Governor took any action against him. When a ruling party MP says that arms and ammunition are there inside Raj Bhavan, is he expressing his lack of confidence in the police force of the state? Bose had asked on Sunday. Raj Bhavan has been open since early morning for around 100 people including the public and journalists for inspection and verification of any arms and ammunition stacked within the premises. Already, some people have come, and some are still coming. They can see everything themselves, the constitutional head of the state had said. The BJP also strongly criticised the Trinamool MP's remarks. BJP MP Jaganath Sarkar said that Kalyan has lost his mental balance. As he is a member of Parliament, action should be taken against him for such a comment, Sarkar added.
Elections 2026: Which State, Local Bodies Will Go To Polls
Assam will go to the polls for all 126 seats, Kerala for 140 seats, Tamil Nadu for 234 seats, West Bengal for 294 seats, and the Union Territory of Puducherry for 30 seats -- all in 2026.
Unrelated Video Shared as Migrants Ghar Wapsi From West Bengal After SIR
The original video shows daily ferry crossings on the Mongla ferry ghat. The video is unrelated to SIR.
Bihar's 2025 result has energized the BJP as West Bengal heads to polls, but Mamata Banerjee's welfare schemes and vote-bank strength pose major hurdles.
Mamata again urges PM to withdraw order on appointing interlocutor on Gorkhas' issues
In a bold statement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reiterated her demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke the appointment of a retired IPS officer as the interlocutor for Gorkha matters. She emphasized that this decision undermines the Constitution and the state's jurisdiction as per the GTA Act.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose will lead a team of security personnel, who would carry out a search operation at the Raj Bhavan on Monday in the wake of allegations by a TMC MP that arms and ammunition were stacked within its premises, an official said. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee had on Saturday accused Bose of sheltering BJP criminals inside the Raj Bhavan and arming them with bombs and guns. The entire Raj Bhavan will be searched by a joint team of the Kolkata Police and central forces deputed here on Monday to find out whether there are arms and ammunition stacked inside. The Governor will be leading the search operation, the official told PTI . Bose, who was on a short trip to North Bengal, cut short his tour to spearhead the operation, he said. There would also be deployment of Kolkata Police personnel at the Raj Bhavan Police outpost, along with the bomb and dog squads. Officials of the Disaster Management & Civil Defence departments will also participate in the search, he said. To facilitate the combing operation, the Raj Bhavan premises will be evacuated on Monday afternoon. Members of the civil society and journalists will be allowed to accompany Bose during the exercise, which will be live-streamed, the official said. The TMC MP had made the allegations on Saturday, hours after Bose said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was essential to clean up the election process. Bose on Sunday said he sought legal advice regarding Banerjee's allegations, prompting the lawmaker to say he is ready for a court battle and cannot be intimidated.
Bengal govts telemedicine consulations surpass 7-crore mark: Mamata
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the state governments telemedicine services reached a major milestone, with its Swasthya Ingit initiative crossing 7 crore consultations. Health care in West Bengal achieves yet another milestone. #Swasthyaingit, a unique GoWB initiative to connect remote areas with higher level health facilities through telemedicine, crossed 7 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 .
Opinion: Opinion | For BJP, Bengal Won't Be As Easy As Bihar
It has been the BJPs singular weakness in West Bengal that it never quite gets the cultural, historical and political details right. And these details matter.
West Bengal 2nd SLST: Interview List Released For Over 20,000 Posts, Verification Begins Nov 18
West Bengal 2nd SLST Exam 2025: The interview list was prepared on the basis of three criterias, namely; candidate's marks in the written test (out of 60), their teaching experience (10 marks) and eligibility (10 marks)
Congress calls meeting on SIR after electoral rout in Bihar
NEW DELHI: Weeks after the Election Commission launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and UTs, including poll-bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Puducherry, the Congress has called a review meeting of party functionaries from all regions where the revision process is underway. A senior party leader said the meeting, involving AICC in-charges, Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders, and secretaries of the 12 States and UTs, will be held at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting is expected to assess ground reports submitted by state units and prepare a unified response to SIR. On October 27, the ECI rolled out the second phase of the SIR, expected to cover nearly 51 crore voters across 12 states and UTs. The initiative has sparked political unease in opposition-ruled states. Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala have escalated their objections to the move, with some even exploring legal options. As reported by this paper, despite being the primary opposition party, the Congress had not convened a joint meeting or crafted a coordinated strategy with its alliance partners on SIR. The Congresss renewed push comes in the aftermath of the Bihar debacle. The move also signals its intent to step up the vote theft pitch as the Bihar rout has intensified concerns within the ranks over organisational shortcomings and voter-list issues, and alliance coordination. The November 18 meeting is expected to review discrepancies flagged by state units, evaluate PCCs preparedness to monitor SIR rollout, and explore coordination mechanisms with other INDIA bloc partners. State concerns The Nov 18 meeting is expected to review concerns flagged by state units, evaluate preparedness of PCCs to monitor SIR rollout, and explore coordination mechanisms Uneasy Opposition The SIR initiative has sparked political unease in Opposition-ruled states. Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala have escalated their objections to the move, with some even exploring legal options.
An uncertain solar-powered future
In the wake of Indias rapid push towards clean energy, upcoming solar power projects along the West Bengal-Jharkhand border have stirred up protests by thousands in both States. Moyurie Somreports on those who believe itll lead to an erasure of their livelihoods and access to their primary source of nutrition fishing
Madhya Pradesh Min Inder Singh Parmar apologises for terming Raja Ram Mohan Roy a 'British Agent'
BHOPAL: Enthused by the landslide poll win in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday evening said that the victory set the groundwork for a similar performance in neighbouring West Bengal. Just a day later, Inder Singh Parmar, a minister of the BJP regime in Madhya Pradesh, has triggered political controversy by terming Raja Ram Mohan Roy a British Agent. Roy, a 17th and 18th century social reformer, is highly respected across Bengal and is widely considered the Father of the Bengal Renaissance. Addressing the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas program to mark the birth anniversary of legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda in native Agar Malwa district on Saturday, the minister claimed that Roy acted as a British agent, who worked to divide Indian society on caste lines. Britishers were working at changing the religious faith and identities of people in India through promotion of English education. It was in that direction that many Indians had been turned into social reformers by the British, one of whom was Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a British agent. He worked to divide Indian society along caste lines, Parmar said. Adding in the same vein, the MP higher education minister said, it was tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, who broke the vicious cycle of religious conversion and saved the tribal society. Reacting sharply to the ministers controversial remark on Roy, the state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta termed the development as shameful. The minister seems to have a deep understanding of history. He needs to also tell whether Roys role in abolition of Sati too was part of British brokerage. Those who once were themselves the agents of the British are now terming social reformers as British agents, Gupta said, mocking the minister. With his statements having triggered a political storm, the MP minister (who reportedly has a strong RSS background), apologised for his remarks on Sunday morning. I am sorry and sad for what I said about the great social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy. I have deep regard for him, I mistakenly made the statement. This isnt the first time that the present higher education minister and former school education minister of the BJP-ruled state has hit the headlines with his controversial statements. In September 2024, while addressing the annual convocation of the Barkatullah University in Bhopal, the same minister had kicked up a row by claiming that the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama didnt discover the sea route to India, but merely followed an Indian sea merchant Chandan into India. He also claimed that it wasnt Christopher Columbus, but Indian sailor Vasulun, who couldve actually discovered America. Parmar hadnt stopped there, but said that while its written that the first Olympic Games were held around 2800 years back which meant that stadiums and spirit of sports started from there only. But past archaeological excavations in Gujarats Rann of Kutch have unearthed the remains of two big stadiums which were 5500 years old. This means that our ancestors knew in detail about sports and built big stadiums thousands of years before the modern Olympic Games started.
West Bengal Governor threatens legal action after TMC MP alleges arms stockpile in Raj Bhavan
KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday threatened to take legal action against veteran Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee for the invective remarks he made a day earlier, triggering a political face-off. Kalyan alleged that the Governors House, Raj Bhavan, was allowing the stocking of arms and ammunition for BJP leaders inside its premises. The MP from Sreerampore in Hooghly district also claimed that the Governor was providing shelter to criminals (BJP leaders) inside the Raj Bhavan complex and giving them weapons to attack ruling party workers. As long as an incompetent governor like you remains, as long as a BJP-servant governor remains, you will never see anything good happening in West Bengal, Kalyan added. The remarks prompted Bose to respond on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, the Governor said the allegations were inflammatory, explosive, and irresponsible. He demanded an apology from Kalyan, failing which he would take legal action. When a ruling party MP says that arms and ammunition are there inside the Raj Bhavan, is he expressing his lack of confidence in the police force of the state? Bose asked. Bose added that Raj Bhavan had been kept open since early morning for around 100 people, including the public and journalists, to inspect and verify whether any arms and ammunition were stocked on the premises. Already some people have come, and some are still coming. They can see everything themselves, he said. Meanwhile, the Raj Bhavan, in an official statement, demanded an apology from Kalyan and called for an immediate inquiry into the matter, noting that the MPs allegations suggested a breach of Z-plus category security for the Governor. The BJP also strongly criticised Kalyan Banerjees remarks. BJP MP Jaganath Sarkar said Kalyan had lost his mental balance, adding that action should be taken against him for such comments. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said that if arms and ammunition were indeed found inside Raj Bhavan, it would imply criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, since the security of Raj Bhavan is handled by Kolkata Police, which is under her government.
Bengal doctor released after NIA interrogation in Delhi blast probe
KOLKATA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the Delhi car explosion case on Saturday released young Dr Zanishar Alam, a former MBBS student of Al Falah University in Faridabad, after a marathon interrogation lasting five hours. He had come to his Konal village in Dalkhola in North Dinajpur district, West Bengal, on Wednesday to supervise preparations for his sisters wedding ceremony, sources said. NIA officials allegedly detained him on Friday in connection with the deadly Delhi blast incident on 10 November and took him to Siliguri for questioning. Officers of the NIA and other experts from Central investigating agencies interrogated him and verified call records and contact numbers on his mobile phone. He was released by the investigating agency on Saturday afternoon. He has been asked to cooperate with the agency in Delhi as and when required for the ongoing probe into the incident, which claimed 12 lives and injured around 20 others near the Red Fort. He, along with his father Touhid Alam, stays in Ludhiana, sources said. Acting on a tip-off, the national anti-terror investigating agency had allegedly contacted Touhid in Ludhiana first and collected details of his son. They learnt about Zanishars location from his father and then rushed to Dalkhola, sources added. The NIAs investigating officials have already arrested four doctors of the controversial university for their alleged involvement in the Delhi blast. The National Medical Commission, the sole body monitoring medical education across the country, has cancelled the registrations of the four accused doctors, including a woman practitioner, Saheen Sahidi, it is learnt.
Butterfly that mimics dry leaf may become Madhya Pradeshs next 'state butterfly'
pBHOPAL: A tropical Asian butterfly, famed for its extraordinary ability to camouflage itself as a dry or dead leaf, may soon be declared tiger-cheetah state Madhya Pradeshs state butterfly. The countrys tiger-cheetah-leopard-wolf and gharial state Madhya Pradesh may soon notify the Orange Oakleaf variety as its state butterfly. If the state forest departments proposal to declare Kallima inachus as the states butterfly materialises, the Orange Oakleaf will become the central Indian states official state butterfly. Confirming that a proposal has been sent recently to the state government, MPs Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF-Wildlife), Subhranjan Sen, said once the proposal is cleared, MP will join the select league of states which already have their state butterflies. The Orange Oakleaf butterfly is particularly found in the dense forests of the Satpura Mountain Range. Its declaration as the states butterfly will render momentum to focussed efforts on butterfly conservation, Sen told TNIE on Sunday. At least ten states and Union Territories in the country have granted state butterfly status to unique genres of butterflies. These states include Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Uttarakhand, which notified their state butterflies between 2016 and 2023. Once MP notifies the Orange Oakleaf as its state butterfly, it will become perhaps the first state in central India to do so. The Orange Oakleaf butterfly flies in the Himalayas at low elevations, from Jammu and Kashmir to Garhwal and Kumaon, and across West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states. It is also found in central and peninsular India, including Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It flies along the central Indian highlands to Pachmarhi and Amarkantak in the Satpura Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh. Its wings are shaped like a leaf when in a closed position. When the wings are closed, only the cryptic underside markings are visible. The resemblance to a dried leafa masqueradeis extremely realistic and gives the genus its common names, the oakleaf or dead leaf. Butterflies occupy a key position in ecosystem stability by acting as pollinators, helping plants reproduce and being a critical part of the food web or chain also, rendering a food source for predators like birds and bats. They are also vital environmental indicators, as their sensitivity to changes in their habitat signals the overall health of an ecosystem, the PCCF-Wildlife said. Notification of a state butterfly by the forest- and wildlife-rich state will also promote focussed research on various butterflies in MP, which is already considered home to 150 to 175 butterfly varieties.
West Bengal's teacher recruitment drive is advancing with the WBSSC releasing its preliminary interview list for 20,500 Higher Secondary assistant teacher hopefuls. Document verification and interviews commence November 18, 2025, as part of a massive recruitment effort aiming to fill over 35,000 teaching posts across secondary and higher secondary schools by December 2025.
Deaf, mute fisherman from West Bengal dies in Bangladesh correctional home; family alleges torture
KOLKATA: A deaf and mute fisherman from West Bengal died in a Bangladesh correctional home. The deceased, identified as Bablu Das, was a resident of Paschim Gangadharpur village under the Harwood Point coastal police station in South 24 Parganas. The bereaved members claimed that Bablu, the sole earning member in the family, was stout and hardworking even though he was deaf and mute. Bablus younger brother Basudeb alleged, It is not a normal death. We suspect that he was tortured and killed inside the jail. Its a planned murder. We want a probe. How can he die normally when he had not even any minor physical ailments? Bablu Das and 33 other fishermen from coastal belt Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal were arrested by Bangladesh naval force on charge of allegedly entering the neighbouring country water about four months ago, police said. They had gone for fishing by a trawler FB Mangalchandi in July and some of them, including Bablu, mistakenly crossed the water boundary. They were arrested by the Bangladesh navy and since then, they were staying in Bangladeshi jail, according to the family members of the deceased. Satinath Patra local fishermen union in Sundarbans in the district, said that efforts are on to bring back the body from Bangladesh soon. About an year ago, a total of 95 other Indian fishermen and crew members on board six fishing boats were detained by the Bangladesh government after they mistakenly went inside the waters of the neighbouring country. Earlier in January, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had alleged that some fishermen, who were released by the Bangladesh government, were beaten up in jail in Bangladesh. Mamata described fishermen arrested for illegally entering Bangladesh waters as victims of circumstances. I found some of them were limping. When asked, the fishermen told me that they were assaulted in jail with their hands tied. As a result, they have injuries below the waist and the legs... They were crying while talking to me, Mamata had said during her visit to Sagar Island in January. Mamata Banerjee had handed over cheques of Rs 10,000 to each of them as a token of assistance to start life afresh. The family of another fisherman who died after jumping into the water to avoid arrest was given a cheque of Rs 2 lakh. Most of these fishermen, who were from Kakdwip and Namkhana, were released by the Bangladesh government. The Indian Coast Guard handed over the fishermen to the district magistrate of South 24 Parganas. The Bengal CM had cautioned the fishermen not to cross the international maritime boundary again. She had referred to an incident when a Bangladeshi trawler mistakenly crossed the border and came into the Indian territory one year ago when her government treated them well till they were released recently. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) also handed over 90 Bangladeshi fishermen to the authorities of their country on Sunday. We helped them so that our country and state are not given a bad name. We were in continuous touch with the Government of India. I want both countries to be in a cordial relationship of friendship, she said. Entering the waters of another country happens mostly during storms, she had said.
Karnataka adopts Sundarbans-style backward masks to curb rising man-tiger conflict
MYSURU: In a proactive effort to address the rising man-tiger conflict in villages bordering the Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves, forest officials have adopted a unique strategy inspired by communities in the Sundarbans in West Bengal, where people wear face masks on the back of their heads to deter tiger attacks. The forest department has now begun distributing such masks to forest-fringe villages. The initiative follows a series of recent tiger attacks in which three farmers were killed and another seriously injured. Despite continuous combing operations and the capture of around 10 tigers, including cubs, villagers continue to report tiger sightings and fear venturing into their fields for farming or cattle grazing. The Sundarbans method, based on the principle that tigers usually attacks from behind, uses masks to create the illusion of eye contact-significantly reducing attacks. Karnataka forest officials plan to distribute 10,000 masks free of cost to vulnerable communities. Dy Conservator of Forests K Paramesh told TNIE that mask distribution has already begun. Forest staff are visiting fringe villages, distributing masks and creating awareness on their importance for those involved in farming and cattle rearing. Announcements are also being made through autorickshaws to ensure people remain alert and wear the masks whenever they step outside, he said. In addition to masks, forest personnel are handing out pamphlets listing dos and donts during wild animal encounters. Demonstrations on self-protection techniques are also being conducted in several villages.
West Bengal: Abhishekto launch healthcare outreach initiative Sebaashray 2from Dec 1
The Trinamool general secretary hadin January 2025, launched theSebaashrayan initiative under which hundreds of free medical camps were set up across his Lok Sabha constituency Diamond Harbour
SIR in Bengal: Officials directed to complete form collection by November-end
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Saturday directed all district election officials to complete the collection of filled-in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms within this month. The instructions were issued during a video conference with district authorities, he said. The instruction to collect the enumeration forms by November-end came from 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 Raj Bhawan also added if the allegations are found to be untrue then the MPKalyan Banerjee has the decent option to apologise to the people of Bengal and face prosecution for hate speech
West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal, along with 26 District Electoral Officers and Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, reviewed the progress of SIR in West Bengal
States, parties step up legal challenge to SIR
In a contentious battle over democracy's foundation, state governments and political entities are challenging the Election Commission's voter list revision efforts. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have filed legal complaints, while the Samajwadi Party is gearing up for a showdown at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, parties in Kerala are pushing for a freeze on the revision until local elections conclude.
Watch: NIA arrests MBBS student in Bengal over terror link allegations
The NIA has arrested MBBS student Janisur Alam from West Bengals Uttar Dinajpur for alleged links to terror outfits. Alam, a student from Haryana with roots in Dalkhola, was detained while returning from a family event. Authorities say he was previously seen acting suspiciously. He is being taken to Siliguri for interrogation, while the NIA has not yet released case details.
CBI gets Lokpal nod to submit chargesheet against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra in 'cash for query' case
KOLKATA: The Lokpal has given the go-ahead to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a chargesheet against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra to the court within four weeks in connection with the alleged cash-for-query case involving her. With the Lokpal's approval, the CBI started the legal process against the MP from Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal's Nadia district. The full bench of the Lokpal held a meeting on November 12 and took the decision to give the green signal to the central investigating agency to submit the chargesheet to the concerned court. The Lokpal on Saturday also asked the agency to submit a copy of the chargesheet to it. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had demanded a CBI probe against Mahua, alleging that she had asked questions in the House in exchange for cash and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others. It was alleged that Mahua had indulged in corrupt practices including, but not limited to, taking bribes and other undue advantages from Hiranandani for compromising her parliamentary privileges and causing national security threats by sharing her Lok Sabha login credentials. The Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman, issued directions to the CBI after receiving the findings of its preliminary inquiry into allegations made against her. The agency had registered an FIR on March 21, 2024 against her and Hiranandani under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act on a reference from the Lokpal. During the end of July, the CBI had submitted its report to the Lokpal in connection with the case. The Trinamool Congress MP was expelled from the House in December 2023 for unethical conduct, which she has challenged in the Supreme Court. She had retained the Krishnanagar seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, defeating her rival Amrita Roy of the BJP.
Translation workshop for tribal communities of Bengal to protect languages
The University of Calcutta-led project focuses on endangered languages, particularly Lodha and Toto; three of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in India are in West Bengal
Veteran Trinamool leader wants Mamata to lead INDIA bloc after Congress suffers drubbing in Bihar
KOLKATA: In the wake of the rout suffered by the Congress in the Bihar assembly elections, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress, an important partner in the INDIA bloc, wants the party supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to lead the anti-NDA political alliance. The Congress won only six of the 61 assembly seats it contested in the Bihar elections. Veteran Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee has already started batting for his party chief Mamata soon after the results in Bihar were announced on Friday. I think the time has come to consider Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA bloc to fight against the BJP. It has no future under Rahul Gandhis leadership in the coming days, Kalyan told TNIE on Saturday. It is my personal view. I dont know what will be my party leaderships future stand on the issue. We should focus on the forthcoming elections in our state in 2026 and will win again for fourth time with an electrifying majority, the Trinamool MP said. A Rajya Sabha member belonging to the ruling party in the state, who requested anonymity, backed Kalyan's view, saying, We have been defeating the BJP in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Bengal six times since 2011 when we formed the government in the state. Our leader Mamata Banerjee knows how to defeat the saffron party again and again and her leadership will guide the opposition in the INDIA bloc. Asked about the leadership issue in the INDIA bloc, another veteran Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy told TNIE from Hyderabad, Congress itself should decide who can lead the national opposition alliance. Its their lookout. Meanwhile, Satabdi Roy, a four-time MP of the party, said, I think our party leadership will decide on the INDIA issue before the coming winter session in Parliament. Political observers said the Trinamool Congress had sent signals that it was not enthused by Rahul Gandhis leadership of the INDIA bloc. Significantly, no Trinamool Congress leader was sent to Bihar to campaign for Tejashwi Yadav and his party RJD in the assembly polls in the state because the ruling party of Bengal was not happy with Rahuls leadership in the bloc, said an election analyst requesting anonymity. Responding to Banerjee, Adhir Chowdhury, Congress leader and former president of the party's Bengal unit, said, Let the Trinamool Congress clear its stand officially on the issue. Otherwise I wont comment anything about the personal views of their MPs like Kalyan Banerjee.
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose criticized PM Modi's remarks about conquering West Bengal, stating the state rejects the BJP's politics of division and violence. She highlighted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's constant presence with the people as a key factor against the BJP's electoral ambitions in the state.
NIA Arrests Doctor from West Bengal in Delhi Blast Probe
The culprit, Janisar Alam alias Jigar, is originally from Konal village at Dalkhola in North Dinajpur
NIA arrests youth from West Bengals Uttar Dinajpur for alleged links with terror outfits
The youth was picked up from Sujapur area of the district on Friday (November 15) morning on suspicion of alleged terror links by sleuths of the NIA, he said
NIA arrests youth from Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur for alleged links with terror outfits
The National Investigation Agency has arrested a youth in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district. Janisur Alam was apprehended on suspicion of terror links. He allegedly attempted to flee during questioning. Digital devices and documents were seized. The NIA is investigating potential links to sabotage acts and the Delhi blast. A separate raid occurred in Murshidabad following the blast.
Trinamool's Bengali Identity Retort As PM Mentions Bengal In Bihar Speech
The Trinamool Congress has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on West Bengal during the BJP's celebrations for its mega Bihar election victory.
With the detention of a young doctor from Al Falah University, the NIA probing the Delhi car explosion case, has found a West Bengal connection to the incident of 10 November . The national anti-terror agency, along with Delhi Police, detained Zanishar Alam, an MBBS graduate of 2024 from the Faridabad-based university, from Suryapur market in the Dalkhola area of North Dinajpur district, West Bengal, on Friday, for his alleged links to the explosion near the Red Fort that claimed 13 lives and injured more than 20. Zanishar, who had come to his native Konal village on 12 November to attend a wedding ceremony, was taken to Siliguri for interrogation. He and his father, Touhid Alam, reside in Ludhiana, sources said. Acting on a tip-off, NIA officials first contacted Touhid in Ludhiana and collected details about his son. They learnt about Zanishars location from Touhid and then rushed to Dalkhola, sources added. Villagers described Zanishar as honest, polite, and soft-spoken, expressing shock over his detention in connection with the blast. The NIA has already arrested four doctors from the same university for their alleged involvement in the Delhi blast. Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission, the apex body regulating medical education in India, has decided to cancel the registrations of the four accused doctors, including woman practitioner Saheen Sahidi, sources said.
West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark about the Ganga flowing from Bihar to Bengal, accusing him of insulting the state's women and blocking funds. Panja labeled the BJP as Bengal virodhi zameendars with an anti-Bengal sentiment. Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya defended Modi's comments, citing law and order issues in the state.
Battle With BJP, No Space For Congress In Bengal: Bihar Debacle Makes TMC Strategy Clear
In West Bengal, the Congress once held pockets of influence in Malda and Murshidabad, but its performance deteriorated further in 2024
NDA Tsunami takes over Fort seemanchal, once an oppn bastion
NEW DELHI: As the ruling alliance stormed back into power in Bihar on Friday, a key takeaway from the Assembly elections is a significant political shift in the Seemanchal region in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Of the 24 seats in the region, which has a sizeable Muslim population and has long been considered an Opposition stronghold, the NDA secured 15. The Congress managed to get three seats, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which once enjoyed solid Muslim support, was reduced to a single seat. Among NDA constituents, the BJP, JD(U), and the LJP won 8, 5, and 2 seats, respectively. Significantly, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM secured five seats out of the 25 it contested. Muslims account for around 17.7% of the states population. An estimated 47% of them reside in Seemanchal. Seemanchal, which borders Nepal and Bangladesh through West Bengal, has always drawn attention and often shapes the broader narrative of state politics. The BJPs campaign in the region was largely framed around the issue of infiltration, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising to deport illegal immigrants. Comprising four districtsPurnea, Araria, Katihar, and Kishanganjthe region has long been considered a bellwether. The Grand Alliance had hoped to make gains here, but analysts say voters showed a decisive shift towards the National Democratic Alliance this time. In the 2020 Assembly election, the BJP won eight seats in Seemanchal, JD(U) secured four, and the Congress won five. The CPI(ML) and the RJD each took one seat. Under the Nitish Kumar government, the region has witnessed development as there were new schools, hospitals, etc., said a leader, adding that Owaisi has done significant damage to the Grand Alliance. Although Owaisi was keen on joining INDIA, he was turned away. The party had written to RJD president Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav, expressing willingness to contest as part of the INDIA bloc, but the offer was rejected. According to an Opposition leader, one reason for avoiding an alliance with AIMIM was the fear that the BJP would portray it as Muslim appeasement. This will work in favour of the BJP, he said. AIMIM leader Waris Pathan told the media after the results that it was the RJDs arrogance that led to its downfall. In the beginning, we went to them and offered to contest together. But they were too arrogant, he said. In 2020, AIMIM won five seats in Seemanchal, but four of its MLAs later joined the RJD, leaving the party with just one.
Prime Minister Modi celebrated the NDA's Bihar victory as a mandate for development and industrialization, contrasting it with past 'jungle raj'. He highlighted the support of women and youth, and vowed to replicate this success in West Bengal, criticizing appeasement politics and the RJD-Congress alliance.
Monetary benefits fuel Nari Shakti to deliver poll victories in Bihar
Political parties are increasingly using cash transfers to woo women voters. This strategy has proven successful in numerous state elections over the past four years. From Bihar to West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, promises of financial aid have swayed election results. The Women's Reservation Bill also signals a focus on this demographic.
Former West Bengal Governor launches book on composer
Trinamool Slams PM Modi's 'Jungle Raj' Claim, Says Will Return With 250 Seats
The TMC launched a sharp counterattack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that the BJP's sweeping Bihar win has paved the way to end jungle raj in West Bengal.
Bihar-style BJP win coming to West Bengal, says Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal BJP leaders are confident of repeating Bihar's electoral success in their state. They aim to oust the Trinamool government in the upcoming 2026 assembly polls. Union Minister Giriraj Singh's slogan about Bihar's victory now turning to Bengal has been embraced by the BJP.
Pure illusion: TMC counters Modi, says Mamata will return with 250 seats in 2026
Kolkata: The TMC on Friday launched a sharp counterattack on Prime Minister Narendra Modis claim that the BJPs sweeping Bihar win has paved the way to end jungle raj in West Bengal, dismissing it as a pure illusion and asserting that Mamata Banerjee will return with a 250-seat mandate in 2026. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh 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 .
PM Modi credits new M-Y formula for Bihar win, says will throw out 'jungle raj' in Bengal next
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed BJP workers at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Friday evening, celebrating the NDA's victory in the Bihar assembly elections. He said Bihar has given a new M-Y -- Mahila and Youth formula with the people destroying the communal M-Y formula of the jungle raj people. ...This election has further strengthened the public's trust in the Election Commission of India. The consistently high voter turnout over the past few years, the increased turnout by the deprived and the exploited, is a significant achievement for the Election Commission, he added. Modi also vowed to throw out 'jungle raj' from West Bengal and said that just as river Ganga flows to Bengal through Bihar, this victory has cleared the path for the BJP's victory there also. Addressing party workers and supporters at the BJP headquarters here, Modi said the Congress has become 'Muslimleegi Maowadi Congress -- MMC' and will witness a big split soon. In a swipe at the top Congress leadership, he said some 'naamdars' within the party are drowning everyone with them. Bihar ensured that the people attacking democracy 'bite the dust', he said, adding that Bihar is the land that gave India the pride of being the mother of democracy. Bihar has shown again that lies are defeated and people's trust wins, he added. He also called the victory the beginning of a new era and said the state will progress faster in the next five years. Bihar will witness new industries, investments and jobs for youth, and prove its might to the world, Modi said. In a scathing attack on the Congress, Modi said it has no positive vision for the country and he had warned the Congress's allies that the party is a parasite and a liability for them. Gloomy 'Children's Day' for Lalu as sons struggle; big challenges loom for victorious Nitish He also hailed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership and congratulated NDA allies for the electoral win. The people of Bihar, with this massive victory and their unshakable confidence, have taken the state by storm ('garda uda diya'), he said in Bihar's lingo. Today, Bihar is among the states with a high youth population, and these youths belong to all religions and castes. Their wishes, aspirations and their dreams have destroyed the communal M-Y formula of the 'jungle raj' people, Modi said in a swipe at the Opposition. He said the Bihar polls have also shown that the voters, especially the young ones, take the purification of the electoral list seriously. The youth of Bihar have also extended tremendous support to the revision of electoral rolls, he said. Modi also hailed the Election Commission for ensuring that elections take place smoothly and recalled how violence was the norm during the 'jungle raj', an apparent reference to the RJD rule. His remarks come at a time when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been alleging vote chori in state polls and accusing the EC of colluding with the BJP to ensure the party's victory. Modi said the victory in Bihar had infused new energy in BJP workers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal. (With inputs from PTI)
Next stop, Bengal: PM Modi after NDAs big Bihar win
New Delhi: Hailing the massive mandate for the NDA in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday vowed to throw out jungle raj from West Bengal and said that just as river Ganga flows to Bengal through Bihar, this victory has cleared the path for the BJPs victory there also. Addressing party workers and supporters Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
West Bengal CEO receives barrage of complaints from political parties over a week into SIR
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Election Commission of India, including the Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, is likely to visit Kolkata early next week to monitor the progress of the ongoing SIR in West Bengal and attend special meeting on EVMs
Bihar poll results show nothing 'grand' about Grand Alliance; Opposition needs to reinvent itself
NEW DELHI: Bihar poll results show that there is nothing grand about the Grand Alliance or Mahagathbandhan. The near-rout of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led front by the JD (U)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) makes it imperative for the Opposition to re-invent itself before the next year's assembly elections. Put simply, it is soul-searching time for Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders. After the completion of several rounds of counting, the grand old party, the Congress is staring at one of its worst electoral performances in the state. Leading only in a few seats out of the 61 seats it contested, and its strike rate was in single-digits. While the NDA's landslide victory is being attributed to its wider caste coalition, the Mahagathbandhan failed to reinvent its social base, although it roped in Mukesh Sahanis Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) and the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) led by IP Gupta. Though the Opposition was hoping to consolidate its support among various caste groups, particularly the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), even with the entry of VIP, that experiment failed. The result also shows that the EBCs, who constitute 36.01 percent of the total population of the state, once again emerged as the cornerstone of the NDAs victory. The Mahagathbandhans gamble to announce Mukesh Sahani, the Mallah leader, as Deputy Chief Minister did not pay off. Sahani's party had contested in 12 seats. Another backward caste party, the IIP also failed to draw votes. The game changer in the election was the overwhelming support for the NDA among women across caste lines. The Rs 10,000 cash transfers and welfare schemes, including lakhpati didis, announced by the NDA ahead of the elections seemed to have helped. The results also show that the Grand Alliances focus on unemployment, migration and job creation did not cut ice with the voters. Bihars fondness for 'Sushasan Babu' ensures Nitish Kumar remains in the spotlight Marred by internal division, leadership gaps, and organisational weaknesses, the Congress, a key ally in the coalition, struggled to project unity from the start. The deadlock over seat-sharing negotiations, public disagreements among constituents, and a stream of resignations further dented the partys prospects. The unease between the RJD and Congress over seat distribution did significant damage. The disputes not only slowed campaign momentum but also raised questions over the alliances ability to stay together. The blame game has already begun with RJD insiders acknowledging that the Congress poor strike rate dragged down the entire alliance. The grand old party did not benefit from Rahul Gandhis vote theft charges and the campaign against Election Commission of India (ECI) s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. In fact, the Congress failed to win a single seat in the constituencies along the route that Rahul took during his vote adhikar yatra. With crucial elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala coming up, the drubbing must serve as a wake-up call for the Opposition and the Congress in particular. Efforts must be made to avoid mistakes made in Bihar while taking on an NDA that is the India's best-oiled election machine at the moment. Bihar swings for Ni-Mo: NDA poised for landslide under CM Nitish and PM Modi
Akhilesh Yadav alleges Bihar mandate shaped by SIR, says it wont work elsewhere
LUCKNOW: With the NDA poised to form the next government in Bihar , as indicated by the poll results on Friday, celebrations broke out in the BJP camp in Lucknow. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in his first reaction to the National Democratic Alliances victory, attributed the outcome, and the Mahagathbandhans rout to the pre-election special intensive revision (SIR), an exercise carried out by the Election Commission to clean up the electoral rolls. He also called the ruling BJP a party of deception. Alluding to the NDAs performance and alleging it was due to the SIR in Bihar, Yadav, in an apparent attempt to counter the NDAs claims of work on the ground, said the SIR game would not work in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and other states. The game played by the SIR in Bihar will no longer be possible in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, or elsewhere because this electoral conspiracy has now been exposed, he said in a post on microblogging site X. SIR . , , , CCTV PPTV Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 14, 2025 We will not let them play this game any further We will remain vigilant and thwart the BJPs plans. The BJP is not a party, but a fraud, Yadav added. Meanwhile, NDA leaders equated the Oppositions criticism of the SIR exercise to tantrums thrown by those who allegedly lost the election. Unable to secure a win, they were trying to create chaos by attacking independent institutions, NDA leaders said, adding that the same parties which complained about SIR would have remained silent had they taken the lead. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP and its allies were overjoyed. The NDA alliance called the Bihar victory a win for development. BJP workers in Kashi entered a celebratory mood. In Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency, party workers took out a procession with posters reading Spring in Bihar. Extensive fireworks were displayed during the celebrations, and workers were seen dancing and swaying to drum beats. UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that the Bihar picture would be seen in UP as well. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called Bihars results a victory for good governance. He added: We had already said that the people of Bihar have decided to endorse Modi jis pro-poor welfare schemes and Nitish jis good governance. Pathak attributed the win to the support of women voters. The biggest thing is that mothers, sisters and daughters of Bihar have voted for the NDA candidate, rising above caste and religion. Under Nitish jis leadership, the people of Bihar still have faith in the BJP alliance regarding law and order and good governance. Bihar swings for Ni-Mo: NDA poised for landslide under CM Nitish and PM Modi
BJP's Bengal Next Post After Bihar Victory, Then Trinamool's Meme Reply
With the results almost decided in Bihar, all eyes are now on West Bengal, where elections are due in the next six months.
Aspiring nursing and paramedical students can now register for West Bengal's JENPAS UG 2025 counselling on wbjeeb.nic.in until November 18. The process involves a Rs 500 fee for admission to government and private colleges. Registration, fee payment, and choice filling are open, with seat allotment results expected soon. Remember, only female candidates can apply for government BSc Nursing seats.
Map on Rahul Gandhis 95 defeats becomes BJPs key attack line amid NDAs Bihar lead
As the BJP appears poised for a sweeping victory for NDA in Bihar , projected to secure well over a two-thirds majority in the high-stakes assembly election, the party has intensified its offensive against the Opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandh, branding him a symbol of repeated electoral losses. Rahul Gandhi, who undertook a 16-day Voter Adhikar Yatra across 20 districts ahead of the polls, had centred his campaign on allegations of vote chori, accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to engineer a favourable result. The Congress and the INDIA bloc had pitched the election as a crucial battle to save the Constitution from what they described as a vote-thief government. Gandhi was one of the Congresss star campaigners in the state. However, the rhetoric failed to translate into electoral gains, with both the Congress and the broader INDIA alliance heading for what is being seen as an embarrassing defeat. Bihar election results: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party fails to make waves in emerging trends Leading the BJP's charge, the partys IT cell chief Amit Malviya declared, Rahul Gandhi! Another election, another defeat! If there were awards for electoral consistency (of losing polls), hed sweep them all. At this rate, even setbacks must be wondering how he finds them so reliably. A map circulating on social media, amplified by BJP leaders, lists 95 electoral losses attributed to the Congress, which the party claims happened under Rahul Gandhi over the past two decades. Malviya posted the graphic, which he said catalogues Congress defeats between 2004 and 2025 in elections where, according to the BJP, Gandhi played a central campaign role. The list spans almost every major state: Himachal Pradesh (2007, 2017), Punjab (2007, 2012, 2022), Gujarat (2007, 2012, 2017, 2022), Madhya Pradesh (2008, 2013, 2018, 2023), and Maharashtra (2014, 2019, 2024). It also includes losses in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the Northeast, southern states, Union Territories, and setbacks in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi! Another election, another defeat! If there were awards for electoral consistency, hed sweep them all. At this rate, even setbacks must be wondering how he finds them so reliably. pic.twitter.com/y4rH6g62qG Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 14, 2025 BJP MP Sudhanshu invoked a couplet by poet Kabir Das to taunt the Congress. I would like to quote Kabir Das for Congress: Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura na milya koi. Jo mann khoja apna, to mujhse bura na koi (When I went looking for evil, I found none. But when I searched within my own heart, I found no one worse than me). As the NDA widened its lead, the Congress reiterated allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the early trends suggested Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was acting against the will of the people of Bihar. This fight is not merely between the BJP, Congress, RJD, and JDU, Khera asserted. It is a direct confrontation between Gyanesh Kumar and the people of India. The Aam Aadmi Party too backed Congresss allegations, accusing the authorities of hijacking the election and pointing to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted shortly before the polls. I had earlier said this election has been hijacked and holds no meaning, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said. Gyanesh Kumar has already given the winning certificate to Modi ji. What will be the results in a state where 80 lakh votes were deleted, 5 lakh votes are duplicates, and 1 lakh votes are unknown? We should congratulate NDA, Modi ji and Gyanesh Kumar that they have won the Bihar elections with the blessings of Gyanesh Kumar. Bihar Election Results 2025: JD(U) surge drives NDA to unprecedented win, Nitish set to return as CM Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the allegations, terming the BJPs massive lead an electoral conspiracy and accusing the administration of manipulating the process. BJP is not a party, it is deceit, he said. Yadav added that the game allegedly played through SIR in Bihar would not be allowed in states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. This electoral conspiracy has been exposed. From now on, we will not let them play this game. Like CCTV, our PPTV, meaning PDA Sentinel, will stay vigilant and thwart the BJP's intentions, the former UP Chief Minister said. Opposition parties collectively alleged large-scale electoral malpractice, claiming that the recent revision of voter lists was deliberately aimed at excluding communities that largely back the Mahagathbandhan.
Next Stop, West Bengal: Bihar Stunner Buoys BJP, Trinamool Says It'll Be A Different Turf
Shortly after the Bihar outcome, the BJP posted on X a confident two-word message, Next West Bengal.
Bihar poll results won't have any bearing on Bengal, claims TMC
The TMC leader said there will be curiosity about which direction the BJP-JD(U) relationship in Bihar goes. The BJP-led NDA appeared to register a landslide victory in Bihar, opening up impressive leads in more than 180 of the state's 243 assembly seats till noon. Ghosh alleged that in West Bengal, there will be conspiracies by the BJP and the Election Commission (ECI) regarding SIR and related matters.
West Bengal: 34 lakh Aadhaar card holders are deceased
The information was shared during a meeting between officials of UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) and the states Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal, amid the ongoing enumeration exercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
TMC sees red as UIDAI deactivates Aadhaar numbers of 34 lakh dead
KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) Thursday hit out at the Election Commission (EC) and threatened to organise protests after UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) disclosed that Aadhaar numbers of around 34 lakh dead people in West Bengal have been deactivated. Assembly elections in the state are scheduled for April-May next year. It is learnt that the UIDAI has recently held a meeting with officials of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwals office and informed them about deactivation of Aadhaar numbers. The EC has been looking for exact number of dead and fake voters in the state through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. Around seven crore enumeration forms have been distributed among voters since the month-long SIR process kicked off on November 4. There are 7.66 crore voters in the state, according to the EC. Sources said that besides these 34 lakh dead people in the state, the EC has also identified 13 lakh other deceased people who had no Aadhaar cards. The EC has included Aadhaar card in the list of indicative documents that people will have to submit as proof of identity during the SIR. The TMC leadership in the state has strongly opposed the UIDAI findings, claiming that its a pre-planned move of the EC. The ruling party has raised questions about the authenticity of the Aadhaar authorities claim on the issue. On what basis the UIDAI deactivated Aadhaar of such huge number of dead people. Earlier, UIDAI had assured that it never collected figures related to Aadhaar deactivation process based on any grounds and name of any states, the TMC said in a social media post. Its a planted exercise to delete names. We will organise mass protests and take legal steps if any genuine voter is deleted from the list, the party said. Political observers say that with deactivation of Aadhaar cards, the TMC may suffer a setback in the assembly polls.
NEW DELHI, Nov 13: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted searches at 10 locations across five States in an Al-Qaeda Gujarat terror conspiracy case allegedly involving illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, officials said on Thursday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp NIA teams conducted searches at premises on Wednesday linked with various suspects and their associates in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Haryana and Gujarat, an agency spokesperson said in a statement. The official said several digital devices and documents were [] The post NIA searches in 5 States appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Calcutta HC disqualifies BJP MLA Mukul Roy for defection
In a landmark ruling, the Calcutta High Court has ruled that Mukul Roy, a prominent BJP figure, is ineligible to serve in the West Bengal Assembly due to the provisions of the anti-defection law. The court's decision, effective from June 11, 2021, follows Roy's shift to the Trinamool Congress after originally being elected on a BJP ticket.
West Bengal dominates day three of All India Postal TT tournament
Roy joined the Trinamool Congress in June 2021 after being elected as an MLA from the Krishnanagar Uttar constituency on a BJP ticket.
Centres drive against illegal immigrants getting results in Bengal
Many self-confessed Bangladeshis leaving border districts on their own By Ashis Biswas KOLKATA: Even before the Intensive review of the electoral rolls (SIR) has really started in West Bengal, the state is witnessing a phenomenon that would have been inconceivable earlier: scores of self-confessed Bangladeshis going back to their former homeland with bag [] The post Centres drive against illegal immigrants getting results in Bengal appeared first on Northlines .
Calcutta HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as member of WB Assembly
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday disqualified senior leader Mukul Roy as member of the West Bengal Assembly under the anti-defection law for switching over to the ruling TMC, after having been elected on a BJP ticket in the 2021 elections. The court termed as perverse the decision of the Speaker, who had in 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 .
Silent invisible rigging: fumes TMC fumes over 34 lakh Aadhaar deactivation
Kolkata: The TMC on Thursday tore into the EC and the BJP after UIDAI disclosed that around 32-34 lakh Aadhaar numbers have been deactivated in West Bengal, and alleged the figures point to a silent invisible rigging designed to erase living voters from the rolls ahead of the assembly elections due next year. The party 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 .
7.14 crore enumeration forms distributed till Thursday afternoon under Bengal SIR: EC
West Bengal has distributed over 7.14 crore enumeration forms. This is part of a special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The exercise aims to remove dead and fake voters. Booth Level Officers are conducting door-to-door verification. Nearly 93.22 percent of voters have been covered so far. The revision began on November 4.
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari claims caller from Pakistan theatened to 'blow him up'
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari reported receiving a threatening phone call from Pakistan. The call, which occurred on Tuesday, warned him of dire consequences. Adhikari has informed the Union Home Ministry about the incident. He also alleged that West Bengal has become a safe haven for terrorists.
KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday cancelled Mukul Roy's membership of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly more than four years after he had defected from the BJP to the ruling Trinamool Congress in 2021. Roy had become a first-time MLA on a BJP ticket from Krishnanagar North constituency in Nadia district. But within a month of the assembly elections, he returned to his former party Trinamool Congress. The court rejected the decision of Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee who claimed that Mukul, once the number two in the Trinamool Congress after the party supremo Mamata Banerjee, was a BJP MLA. The BJP had moved the court against him after he was made chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the Assembly. The portfolio is traditionally held by a member from the Opposition camp. BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday, The Speakers decision to claim Mukul Roy a BJP MLA was taken at the behest of the chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The move was a challenge to the Constitution. Unfortunately, he was still called a BJP MLA though he had been attending Trinamool Congress meetings and other programmes. This is unprecedented and unheard of before, Suvendu told reporters. Roy was made Union railway minister for about six months in 2012 under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He was also a Rajya Sabha member representing the Trinamool Congress. The anti-defection law has been tested again and again since the Trinamool Congress came to power in 2011. A member of the House belonging to any party shall be disqualified if he or she has (a) voluntarily given up membership of a political party or (b) votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs, according to the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. The onus to decide on defections depends on the Speaker, with no time limit to make a decision, it states. As many as 16 legislators remained on paper with the Congress though they were politically active with the Trinamool Congress in 1998 when it was formed in the state.
