Fight over money, not symbol: BJP's Samik Bhattacharya
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya claimed factions fight over money. He stated the Trinamool party symbol will cease to exist soon. West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari said the ECI made a decision as per rules. He attributed the current situation to pride and divine wrath. Adhikari mentioned Mamata Banerjee's remarks on religious events and processions.
ECI freezes AITC name & symbol, allots new ones to rival factions
The Election Commission has assigned new names and symbols to two factions of the All India Trinamool Congress. Mamata Banerjee's group will now be known as Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with a football player symbol. The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction received the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and an envelope symbol. Both groups will use these new identities for upcoming by-elections in West Bengal.
Calcutta High Court Dismisses PIL Against Government Properties Painted Saffron
The Calcutta High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the West Bengal governments saffron painting of public properties. Calcutta High Court Dismisses PIL Against Government Properties Painted Saffron
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TMC Faces Internal Strife as Election Commission Allocates New Names and Symbols
TMC leaders express concerns over new election symbols and internal conflicts as political tensions rise in West Bengal. TMC Faces Internal Strife as Election Commission Allocates New Names and Symbols
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Cops didnt show arrest: Congress fumes over Milan Pradhans detention as Nandigram race takes twist
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal's former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Congress' Nandigram candidate's arrest, describing it as a political vendetta and a murder of democracy.
Fast-paced developments mark dramatic times in Bengal politics
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Amidst fast-paced developments on Friday, West Bengals electoral politics stand poised for a major shift, with Trinamool Congress founder and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facing the prospect of going unrepresented in the high-profile Nandigram Assembly seat when the by-election is held on October 6. Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate nominated from the Mamata-led Trinamool faction for Nandigram, withdrew her nomination after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. With the last date for nomination over, Mamata had no option but to announce support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan. Soon after, reports emerged of his arrest in an old case. The Congress blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the development, which the ruling party promptly denied. With the model code of conduct in place, the state election commission acquires administrative control. BJP leaders pointed out that it can direct police to execute all non-bailable warrants issued earlier. Subsequent developments, following the Election Commission of India (ECI) decision earlier in the day to allot new names and symbols to two rival factions in the Trinamool Congress, one led by Mamata and the other by expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, escalated the war of attrition. The two factions of the Trinamool Congress, which ruled West Bengal for 15 uninterrupted years under Mamata Banerjee, were set to contest the upcoming by-elections at Nandigram in East Midnapore district and also Rejinagar in Murshidabad. The Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with Football Player as its symbol, and the Democratic Trinamool Congress with Envelope as its symbol, were in the fray alongside other political parties. The importance of the original name and symbol of the twin florets was reflected in the words of a leader owing allegiance to Mamata Banerjee, who said she had expressed intent to join her candidates on the campaign trail if the Election Commission officially granted them. If not, Didi said she will think about it, he said, referring to Mamatas remarks ahead of the poll bodys interim decision late on Thursday. For rebel Ritabrata Banerjee, the decision came as he rose from yet another political leader to being the principal disruptive face against Mamata Banerjee, long regarded as West Bengals greatest political disruptor. His camp was reportedly content that the original name and symbol were not awarded to Mamata, which would have given her additional strength in the upcoming by-election. Meanwhile, rebel Trinamool Lok Sabha MPs who chose to join the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) but have yet to be granted official recognition by the Speaker face a longer wait to navigate their path ahead. The BJP has ruled out admitting any more Trinamool leaders into its fold. However, the rebel MPs have chosen to support the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now, all rebels, about 60 MLAs, 20 MPs, other leaders, workers, and supporters, await the final decision of the Election Commission. For recognition of political parties in an election, the poll body stipulates that a reserved symbol is for a recognised political party for exclusive allotment to contesting candidates set up by that party, while a free symbol is any other than a reserved symbol. With the two factions battling over ownership, allotment of the twin florets will be announced once the real Trinamool is established, deciding who gains access to party funds and other assets. In the meantime, neither faction can use the name All India Trinamool Congress or the twin florets symbol, both of which depict grassroots. Since the Trinamool Congress came into being on New Years Day in 1998, its meteoric rise, spearheaded by Mamata Banerjee, culminated in the fall of the states red bastion and turned her into a political cult figure. Most leaders and workers, who swore by the Trinamool, however, had trouble with the r. Thus, in rallies and processions, slogans often went: Who goes there Tinamool, Tinamool? or Wholl win Tinamool, Tinamool. Despite the distorting but harmless renaming, this slightly warped version echoed in debates and discussions at tea stalls and street corners. Yet the name and symbol stood for Mamatas achievements, with followers revering her as benefactor and final authority. Over time, however, that reverence was tested amid allegations of misconduct and misappropriation within the ranks, leading to the regime's fall and subsequent erosion and division.
West Bengals rival Trinamool factions receive new names and symbols, alongside controversies over bureaucratic discrimination, a massive welfare scam in Odisha, and diplomatic talks with Bangladesh. More about all this in todays above the fold episode.
West Bengals rival Trinamool factions receive new names and symbols, alongside controversies over bureaucratic discrimination, a massive welfare scam in Odisha, and diplomatic talks with Bangladesh. More about all this in todays above the fold episode.
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Cong claims its candidate for Nandigram bypoll arrested over 2007 protest
Congress candidate for the upcoming Nandigram assembly bypoll, Milan Pradhan, was arrested on Friday for his alleged involvement in the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement there, a senior party leader claimed. Another party leader, Subhasish Bhattacharya, was also arrested for allegedly preventing the police from apprehending Pradhan, he said. Pradhan, who has been named in more than 12 cases over the Nandigram land movement, was picked up from a hotel in Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district, the Congress leader said. This is nothing but a dirty game of the BJP. Milan had been spearheading the Nandigram movement in 2007. He had been named in at least 12 cases since then. But today, because he has successfully filed his nomination, the police were made to arrest him, he told PTI. Earlier in the day, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had announced her party's support for the Congress in the October 6 Nandigram bypoll, hours after her candidate withdrew from the ...
Nandigram bypoll: Congress candidate Milan Pradhan arrested in 2007 case
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested ahead of the October 6 Nandigram bypoll in West Bengal. The action came hours after Mamata Banerjee announced support for Pradhan following her factions candidate's withdrawal from the contest
TMC name and symbol frozen: Mamata, Ritabrata factions get new identities
The Election Commission has assigned new names and symbols to the rival Trinamool Congress factions for the October 6 West Bengal bypolls.
Milan Pradhan Arrested Hours After Mamata Backs Congress Candidate In Nandigram Bypoll: Reports
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in West Bengal on Friday in connection with an old alleged murder case, hours after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support his candidature in the October 6 Nandigram Assembly bypoll. The arrest triggered a fresh political controversy in West Bengal, with Congress leaders questioning [] The post Milan Pradhan Arrested Hours After Mamata Backs Congress Candidate In Nandigram Bypoll: Reports appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
TMC Mine Until...: Mamata Supports Congress In Nandigram Bypoll; Ritabratas Cult Jibe At Didi
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday called the developments surrounding the Trinamool Congress internal factional dispute a black day in Indias democratic history after her camps Nandigram bypoll candidate Sanchita Dey Pradhan withdrew her nomination. Mamata alleged that the developments were unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and a biased vendetta. The withdrawal came after Pradhan met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with a photograph of the meeting circulating on social media, though its authenticity could not be confirmed. Mamata announced support for the Congress candidate in Nandigram and Assam. The Election Commission assigned Mamatas faction the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the football player symbol, while the Arup Roy-led rebel camp was given Democratic Trinamool Congress with the envelope symbol.
Bengal: Congress candidate for Nandigram bypoll arrested in an old case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the forthcoming bypoll for Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, was arrested on Friday in an old case, confirmed an official of the East Midnapore district police. The arrests took place hours after Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Trinamool Congress for the bypoll in Nandigram, withdrew her nomination and the former West Bengal Chief Minister announced her support towards Congress in Nandigram. An insider from the district police said that the Congress candidate from Nandigram was accused in an old murder case. A warrant was already also issued in his name, and he was arrested in connection with it on Friday, said the district police officer. The Congress candidates arrest before the bypoll created a stir in the political circles in West Bengal. The Congress alleged that the BJP did not want to have anything called opposition before the elections. West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Subhankar Sarkar told media persons that suddenly a case was filed against Milan, and he was arrested thereafter. In this way, the BJP is trying to create a one-party rule in West Bengal. Will there be no opposition politics in this state as well as in the country? questioned Sarkar and said the current ruling party in the state hatched a political conspiracy in the arrest of his party's candidate. However, the BJPs East Midnapore district rubbished the allegation and claimed that the party had no connection with the arrest of the Congress candidate. Nandigram, along with Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district, is going to bypolls on October 6 and the results will be declared on November 9. In the Assembly elections held earlier this year, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. He defeated former CM and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and chose to retain that seat, leaving Nandigram vacant and necessitating the bypoll. BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, mother of Adhikaris personal assistant Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas on May 6, soon after the Assembly election results were announced. Her candidature has added an emotional element to the campaign.
Bengal: Mahua Moitra files complaint against BJP workers over egg attack
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha member from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district of West Bengal, Mahua Moitra, on Friday lodged a complaint at Tehatta Police Station in the same district against eight Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists over the alleged egg attack on her while she went to attend a party meeting at Tehatta on September 16. Among the eight BJP activists named in the complaint are the panchayat samiti chief and deputy chief of Tehatta-I block. Confirming the development, a district police officer said that based on the complaint filed by the Lok Sabha member, the police had started an investigation. CCTV and video footage of the entire incident is being examined, the officer said. Meanwhile, the BJPs Nadia district leadership denied the allegations. BJP legislator from Tehatta Assembly Constituency, Subrata Kobiraj, said no BJP worker or supporter was involved in the incident. He added that the protest against the MPs controversial comments about Hindu gods and goddesses had aroused strong anger among the people, and Wednesdays development was a manifestation of that spontaneous public anger. On Wednesday, Moitra shared videos of the incident on social media and claimed that BJP office-bearers surrounded the venue of her party meeting and targeted her convoy as she departed. Referring to a recent observation by Supreme Court judge Justice Dipankar Datta that politicians should not be overly concerned about egg attacks when freedom fighters had faced bullets, she said she had confronted the situation in the same spirit. Moitra remarked that on Wednesday she was both an MP in independent India and also a freedom fighter. BJP office-bearers, not the public, surrounded my meeting and pelted eggs as I left. Thank you, MiLord, for upholding our Constitutional protections, she said. She also criticised the officer-in-charge of Tehatta Police Station for allegedly claiming that she attended the meeting without informing him. The Tehatta IC, Supriya Ranjan Maji, said on camera that nobody informed him about my visit. Whereas, the district police superintendent of Nadia issued a letter, cc to him, about my Tehatta visit. Does Mr Maji also have the BJP disease of short-term memory loss? Disgraceful, Moitra added.
Rahul Gandhi Speaks To Mamata Banerjee After ECI Freezes TMC Name, Symbol
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday after the Election Commission of India (ECI) froze the All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional Flowers and Grass symbol ahead of the upcoming state bypolls. Banerjee later said that she and Gandhi discussed working together against the BJP. [] The post Rahul Gandhi Speaks To Mamata Banerjee After ECI Freezes TMC Name, Symbol appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Have You Tried Bapuji Cake? This West Bengal Favourite Is Pure Nostalgia
Bapuji Cake is a simple, old-school Bengali treat that has been a familiar part of West Bengals local bakery culture for generations
Bengal: Maoist leader remanded to police custody till Sep 29
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) A lower court remanded senior CPI (Maoist) leader Asim Mandal, alias Akash, Timir and Manoj to police custody until September 29 on Friday. He was arrested on Thursday by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata from Patashpur in East Midnapore district After being presented in court, counsel for the Kolkata Police STF told the court that there were 55 cases against Akash in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The Jharkhand and Odisha governments had announced a reward of Rs 2.2 crore. Akash is an active member of a banned organisation. His activities harmed the sovereignty and integrity of the state. He was also responsible for creating a cycle of illegal activities and sabotage involving the three states. He used to hide himself by frequently changing names, the STF counsel told the court. No bail application was moved on behalf of Akash. His counsel, Yasin Rahman, told the court that accusations of sabotage had been made against Akash for decades. However, many people involved in this force before 2011 have since become heroes in society and mainstream political figures. Akashs arrest is being viewed as a significant success for security agencies and a major setback to Maoist activities in the tribal and forested regions spread across the three eastern states. A native of Fulchak village under Chandrakona Police Station in West Midnapore district, Mandal is said to have become involved in Left-Wing extremist activities during his student years in the 1980s. He later joined the Peoples War Group and worked extensively in the Sarenga and Goaltor regions of West Bengal as well as the Gurabanda area of Jharkhands East Singhbhum district. Security agencies records show that nearly 55 serious criminal cases are registered against him across Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Several of these cases relate to attacks on security forces and armed encounters in Jharkhand. Following the formation of CPI (Maoist) in September 2004, he returned to the Jangalmahal region spanning parts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore districts. He became actively involved in the outfits activities. He also played a key role during the Lalgarh movement, after which he was entrusted with the responsibility of Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee in 2010. He later held important positions in the Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha Regional Committee. According to police sources, the Maoist network in West Bengal suffered a major setback after the November 2011 encounter killing of senior Maoist leader Kishanji. Thereafter, Mandal is said to have gone completely underground and remained elusive for years until his arrest on Thursday.
Candidate from Mamata Banerjee-led faction withdraws nomination in Nandigram
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Trinamool Congress for the bypoll in Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, withdrew her nomination on Friday afternoon after a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Soon after, at a press conference at her residence in Kalighat, South Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee, the former West Bengal Chief Minister, announced that she would extend her support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram. Both developments followed the Election Commission of India (ECI) decision earlier in the day to allot new names and symbols to two rival factions in the Trinamool Congress: one led by Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, and the other by expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. After Sanchita Dey Pradhan withdrew her nomination following the meeting with the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee told media persons at her residence that she had decided to support the Congress candidate in Nandigram. We will not contest in Nandigram. We will support our sister party, Congress. This will strengthen the INDIA bloc, the former West Bengal Chief Minister said. She added that the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had called her on Thursday night, after which she decided to support the Congress. We are all together; we will fight together. We will support all normal alliances. We will support our sister parties, she said. Regarding the Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district, which is also going for bypolls next month, Mamata Banerjee said that a decision would be taken later. After seizing power in the state with the Congress in 2011, ending the 34-year Left Front rule, this is the first time Mamata Banerjee has publicly expressed support for a Congress candidate in Nandigram. Political observers believe this move is possibly a face-saving exercise for the former Chief Minister amid the current situation within her party. Tension over the symbol began Thursday night when the ECI announced its decision to freeze the name All India Trinamool Congress temporarily and the symbol Flowers & Grass. On Friday, the Commission allotted the Mamata Banerjee-led faction the new name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the symbol Football Players. The rival Ritabrata-led faction was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the symbol Envelope. The dramatic turn in the Nandigram by-election came after Sanchita Dey Pradhan met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat Nabanna and subsequently withdrew her nomination at the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Haldia.
Major Reshuffle in West Bengal BJP as Samik Bhattacharya Approves New Appointments
The BJP in West Bengal announces key appointments to strengthen its organizational structure under Samik Bhattacharyas leadership. Major Reshuffle in West Bengal BJP as Samik Bhattacharya Approves New Appointments
TMC Split: Mamata Banerjee Faction Gets Football Player Symbol, Arup Roy Camp Gets Envelope
The Election Commission on Friday has allotted new names and election symbols to the two rival factions of Trinamool Congress ahead of West Bengal bypolls. The move comes after the poll panel stopped both the factions using the original TMC name
Top States go slow on capex spends in AprilJuly FY27
West Bengals capex had the sharpest decline of 52.9% to 1,670 crore during April-July 2026, from 3,544 crore in the same period last year
Congress MP slams EC over freezing of TMC name, symbol
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Congress MP Imran Masood, reacting to the Election Commissions decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress (TMC)s name and election symbol on Friday, said that the EC has become a oy. Speaking to IANS Masood said, This is very dangerous for democracy. The Election Commission has become a toy and is being used like one. First Shiv Sena, then NCP, and now TMC. This means you will neither spare the parties nor the votes, you will steal the votes as well as the parties. It takes years to make an election symbol reach the people, and you will simply freeze the election symbol. A party is built through its organisation, not just through MPs and MLAs Meanwhile, on the ECIs interim order, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, This party was founded by Mamata Banerjee through her own strength, hard work and struggle, and she built the party. The Trinamool Congress has made a significant contribution to the politics of the state and the country. Just as the Shiv Sena belongs to Balasaheb Thackeray, the Trinamool Congress belongs to Mamata Banerjee, and the Nationalist Congress Party belongs to Sharad Pawar The remarks came after the Election Commission ordered an interim freeze on the name and election symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress and directed the rival factions to choose new names and symbols until the dispute is settled. The Commissions decision has significant implications for the upcoming Assembly by-polls in West Bengal. The EC has announced by-polls in two constituencies, Nandigram and Rejinagar, to be held on October 6. In its order, the EC said it had considered the material available before it and concluded that there were two rival groups within the All India Trinamool Congress, each claiming to represent the party. On due consideration of the totality of information available on record, the Commission is of the opinion that there are two rival groups in the All India Trinamool Congress, one led by Mamata Banerjee and the other led by Shri Arup Roy, and each group is now claiming to be the party and therefore the matter requires a substantive determination by the Commission under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968, the EC order said.
TMC split: Mamata Banerjee faction gets football player symbol
The faction led by Banerjee has been allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol. It will be treated as a recognised political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura
Football player vs Envelope: Rival TMC factions get symbols
New Delhi: The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of Trinamool Congress on Friday, September 18, got the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, while its rival group led by Arup Roy got the name Democratic Trinamool Congress ahead of the October 6 bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, an Election Commission order said. According to Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Mahua Moitra alleges discrimination against Muslim bureaucrats
Trinamool MP writes to National Commission of Minorities alleging Muslim IAS, IPS officers were excluded from events involving Amit Shah in West Bengal
TMC Split: Didis Faction Gets Footballer Symbol, Rebels Get Envelope
The group led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol and will be treated as a recognised political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura
ECI allots new names, symbols to rival Trinamool factions
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday allotted new names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the erstwhile All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), pending a final decision on the ownership of the party's original name and its iconic Flowers & Grass symbol. According to an ECI notification issued on Friday, the faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, described by the Commission as the original but minority group, has been allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the election symbol Football Player. The faction has been recognised as a political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura. The rival faction led by expelled Trinamool Congress legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, which the Commission termed the rebel but majority group, has been allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the symbol Envelope. It has also been recognised as a political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura. The ECI clarified that the newly allotted names and symbols will remain in force until it delivers a final verdict on the claim to the original party name, All India Trinamool Congress, and its longstanding Flowers & Grass symbol. Until then, both factions will contest elections under their newly assigned identities. The order will apply to the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Nandigram in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes on October 9. Similarly, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction's candidate in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll in Assam will contest under the banner of Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol. Founded in 1998 after Mamata Banerjee's split from the Congress, the Trinamool Congress has fought all elections since its inception under the name All India Trinamool Congress and the Flowers & Grass symbol. The party came to power in West Bengal in 2011 and has remained the state's ruling force since then. With the latest ECI order, West Bengal is set to witness its first election since 1998 without the original Trinamool name and symbol on the ballot.
Democracy in danger if Election Commission acts under pressure: Raut over TMC order
Mumbai, Sep 18 (PTI) Democracy is in danger in India if the Election Commission is issuing decisions under duress, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged on Friday after the poll body ordered freezing of the Trinamool Congresss name and symbol. Speaking to reporters, Raut asserted that the TMC belongs to former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and accused the BJP of engineering a split in the party. In its interim order issued on Thursday night, the Election Commission, after hearing leaders of the two factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy, said the matter requires substantive determination
The Election Commission has named Mamata Banerjee's group and allotted a football symbol. A rebel faction received the Democratic Trinamool Congress name and envelope symbol. Both groups are recognized political parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura. The Commission had previously frozen the original party name and symbol. This decision impacts upcoming by-elections in West Bengal and Assam.
Over 37 lakh electoral roll appeals pending in West Bengal
The Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh appeals concerning deletions or inclusions in West Bengal's electoral rolls remain pending under the Special Intensive Revision. The apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only a fraction of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed, prompting the Supreme Court to seek data and a plan for streamlining the adjudication process.
West Bengal nurse attacked by husband in Bengaluru had complained to police earlier; remains in ICU
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 18 (IANS) Madhumita, a young nurse who was attacked by her husband Venkateshan near the hospital where she worked in Bengaluru, continues to receive treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in the city and her condition still remains critical, police said on Friday. It has emerged that she had complained to the police earlier about his behaviour and the cops had contacted Venkateshan and directed him to appear for questioning. According to the police, Venkateshan allegedly chased Madhumita near the hospital on Thursday, threw an acid-like liquid at her and subsequently attacked her with deadly weapons more than 10 times in full public view. Police said Madhumita and Venkateshan had met through a dating app and got married in 2024 before settling in Bengaluru. However, Madhumita had reportedly been maintaining a distance from her husband for the past six months. According to the investigation, Venkateshan secured a job with an oil company in Chennai and moved there. He had repeatedly insisted that Madhumita accompany him, but she refused to move to Chennai. Madhumita had allegedly told Venkateshan not to touch her and said that she had started disliking him. She also reportedly avoided his calls, leading to frequent arguments between the couple. About six months ago, Venkateshan allegedly came near the clinic where Madhumita worked and created a ruckus following an argument with her. The clinic staff intervened, reprimanded him and sent him away. Following the incident, Madhumita lodged a complaint with a police station in Bengaluru. Police subsequently contacted Venkateshan and directed him to appear for questioning. However, Venkateshan allegedly failed to appear before the police and instead continued to threaten Madhumita over the phone, according to the police. On Thursday, he allegedly came near the hospital carrying an acid-like liquid and deadly weapons and waited for Madhumita. When she arrived, he allegedly chased and attacked her. The incident took place in public view and left Madhumita seriously injured. She was shifted to a private hospital, where she continues to undergo treatment in the ICU. Venkateshan has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Police are continuing their investigation into the attack and the circumstances leading up to it. DCP South, Dr. Vamshi Krishna, who visited the spot, had said the accused Venkateshan, allegedly attacked Madhumita with a machete and a long knife after throwing a liquid suspected to be acid, on her. The incident took place around 9.15 a.m. near Narayana Hospital, where Madhumita works as a nurse. According to the DCP, the accused wore a helmet during the assault and used two deadly weapons in the attack. The accused has used a liquid similar to acid and assaulted the woman with a machete and a long knife. The couple are husband and wife, and the incident is suspected to have taken place against the backdrop of a family dispute, Dr. Vamshi Krishna said. Police said Venkateshan has been arrested and is being questioned.
Vote Chori, Government Chori, Now Party Chori: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out at EC Over TMC Symbol Freeze
Congress leader and leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Election Commission over its decision to bar Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress factions from using party name and their party symbol 'flowers and grass' in the West Bengal bypolls. He
Mamata Faction Submits New Choices To EC After TMC Name-Symbol Freeze For Bengal Bypoll
The Election Commission has temporarily barred both rival Trinamool Congress factions from using the partys name and its reserved Flowers and Grass symbol in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls. The interim order applies to the October 6 elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar, where both factions have fielded candidates. The Mamata Banerjee-led camp has rejected the order as contrary to law, while the rival faction has welcomed the move. The poll panel has directed both groups to choose separate names and symbols for the bypolls. They must submit three preferred options each. The arrangement will remain in force until the Commission takes a final decision on the dispute under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order, 1968.
West Bengal SIR: Over 37 lakh appeals stuck in Tribunals as Municipal polls draw near
Over six months have passed since the Supreme Court constituted the Appellate Tribunals
ECI freezes Trinamool Congress
NEW DELHI, Sept 18: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has barred both rival factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the partys name and reserved Flowers and Grass symbol in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar. In an interim order issued on Thursday, the Commission said neither the faction led [] The post ECI freezes Trinamool Congress name and symbol appeared first on Northlines .
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Video: Fireball engulfs newlywed woman during honeymoon barbecue at Darjeeling homestay
15-Year Hunt Ends: Rs 1-Cr Reward Maoist Commander Asim Mandal Arrested in West Bengal
West Bengal Police arrested Asim Mandal, alias Akash, the last surviving central committee member of CPI (Maoist), from Polerhat on Kolkatas eastern fringes Thursday afternoon. Mandal, 64, had evaded law enforcement for over 15 years across interstate forest belts. He faces 17 cases in Jharkhand and a dozen in West Bengal, and carried a Rs [] The post 15-Year Hunt Ends: Rs 1-Cr Reward Maoist Commander Asim Mandal Arrested in West Bengal appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Rahul Gandhi slams EC over TMC name, symbol ban, says vote chori, govt chori, now party chori
Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission's decision to bar rival Trinamool Congress factions from using the party name and symbol in West Bengal bypolls, alleging a pattern of BJP and EC collusion to split parties and snatch symbols. He stated this undermines democratic decline, comparing it to vote and government theft. The Congress condemned the EC's move as an abdication of responsibility, calling it a irthday gift to PM Modi.
Mamata faction submits choices for names, symbols to EC
The Trinamool Congress has submitted new names and symbols to the Election Commission for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls, following an interim order that temporarily barred the party from using its original name and flowers and grass symbol due to an ongoing internal dispute and split. The party submitted its choices under protest.
Mamata-led TMC lodges strongest protest, submits names, symbol choices to EC for Oct 6 bypolls
Expressing resentment, the Trinamool Congress , led by its founder and chairperson Mamata Banerjee, submitted its response to the Election Commission's interim order that temporarily removed the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name and its flowers and grass symbol from the ballot for the October 6 bypolls in West Bengal. The TMC sent its choices of new names and symbols for the upcoming elections to the poll panel at 11:36 pm on Thursday and submitted them under strongest protest, sources told news agency PTI.
New names and symbols for Mamata and Ritabrata-led Trinamool factions likely to come out today
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) New names and symbols for the two factions in Trinamool Congress -- the original but minority faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, and the ebel but majority faction led by expelled party legislator, Ritabrata Banerjee -- are expected to be revealed on Friday after the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a freeze of the existing name and symbol for the time being. The poll panel's freeze, announced late on Thursday, means that neither faction can contest any election with the All India Trinamool Congress name and the grass flowers symbol, designed by Mamata Banerjee herself, till the time the EC takes a final decision in the matter. The decision will be applicable also for the forthcoming bypolls for Nandigram assembly constituency in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar assembly constituency in Murshidabad district, scheduled on October 6, with the results scheduled to be out on October 9. Now, both the factions have to submit three alternative names and three alternative symbols to the ECI by 11 a.m. on Friday, and the Commission will allot one of the three choices to each faction for contesting the bypolls next month. If either faction fails to update the Commission about their newly chosen names and symbols within that period, both factions will be out of the race in the bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar. The Trinamool Congress started its political journey in 1998 under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, after breaking away from the Congress. Since then, the name and symbol have become an integral part of the party, which took power in West Bengal in 2011 after witnessing a lot of ups and downs. Now in 2026, West Bengal will see its first election without that name and symbol being present. The EC's decision to freeze the Trinamool name and symbol had evoked mixed reactions from both factions. Describing the order as unconstitutional, Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee told media persons that since the Commissions order was unconstitutional, his faction is not accepting it. We will do whatever is required now. But as of now, if we have to choose a symbol, we have till 11 a.m. on Friday. We are not accepting this order. Just as illegal things have to be accepted temporarily, this too has to be accepted, he said. On the other hand, Ritabrata Banerjee, in a social media post, welcomed the decision and said that the order underlined that political parties cannot be treated as private entities or passed down through dynastic succession. This narrative that was going on regarding the symbol and the name, the Election Commissions interim order today proves that there is no room for dynastic politics. A political party is not a private limited company, nor can there be an heir to a political party. This has been proven today, he said.
Mamata-led TMC submits names, symbol choices to EC 'under strongest protest'
New Delhi, Sep 18: The Trinamool Congress, led by its founder and chairperson Mamata Banerjee, submitted its response to the Election Commission's interim order that temporarily removed the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name and its flowers and grass symbol from the ballot for the October 6 bypolls in West Bengal. The party emailed its choices of new names and symbols for the upcoming elections to the poll panel at 11:36 pm on Thursday and submitted them under strongest protest, according to sources. In its interim order issued on Thursday night, the Election Commission directed the two sides in the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) not to use the party name and its flowers and grass symbol for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls, and asked them to submit their preferred names and symbols by Friday morning. The EC said the proposed name could be similar to All India Trinamool Congress, and the symbol must be chosen from the list of free or available symbols notified for independents and registered unrecognised political parties. The bypolls to Rejinagar and Nandigram are scheduled for October 6. The poll panel said the time available was not enough to complete the proceedings under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, but noted the urgency of the party name and symbol for the upcoming by-elections. The EC said the interim arrangement was made specifically to cover the upcoming bypolls and would remain in force until the dispute is finally determined under Paragraph 15 of the Symbols Order. The EC order comes against the backdrop of a rebellion that began in the TMC legislature party after the Assembly poll defeat in May and later spread to Parliament. In June, 58 rebel MLAs elected expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition instead of the Mamata camp's nominee, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, and secured recognition from the Assembly Speaker, marking the party's first split in its 28-year history. Five days later, the revolt reached Parliament, with 20 Lok Sabha MPs led by senior leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar joining the little-known NCPI and writing to Speaker Om Birla, backing the BJP-led NDA as a separate bloc, deepening the rupture in the party's parliamentary ranks. The move is a setback for Mamata, whose hand-drawn symbol has been central to TMC's journey since its formation in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress. The flowers and grass symbol became a potent expression of the party's grassroots identity for the last 28 years.
The Trinamool Congress submitted new name and symbol choices to the Election Commission. This action followed an interim order temporarily removing the party's original name and symbol. The Election Commission directed the submission for upcoming West Bengal bypolls. The party submitted its response under strongest protest late Thursday night. This dispute arose from a recent rebellion within the party's ranks.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The Special Court for NIA Cases in Hyderabad has convicted and sentenced nine accused, including eight Bangladeshi nationals, to life imprisonment in a 2019 human trafficking case involving Bangladeshi women who were trafficked into India and subsequently forced into prostitution. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the special court, in its order passed on September 17, also imposed a total fine of Rs 1,37,000 on the convicted accused. It further awarded three months of simple imprisonment in default of payment of the fine. The case pertains to a human trafficking network that trafficked Bangladeshi women into India by luring them with promises of lucrative employment and decent wages, before forcing them into prostitution. The original case was registered by the Telangana Police at Pahadi Shareef Police Station in Hyderabad following an operation in September 2019. During the operation, three Bangladeshi women were rescued from a brothel being operated in Jalpally village, while another woman was rescued from a house in Mahimood Colony, Balapur, Hyderabad. The NIA subsequently took over the investigation and re-registered the case on October 12, 2019, as RC-03/2019/NIA/HYD. During the investigation, the involvement of the accused in the trafficking network was established. The NIA subsequently filed a chargesheet against 12 accused, including absconding accused A1, A3 and A7, on October 17, 2020. The accused were arrested from different locations, including West Bengal and Telangana, during 2019 and 2020. The accused sentenced by the court were Ruhul Amin Dhali (A2), Mohd Yousuf Khan alias Md Imran (A4), Bithi Begum alias Khadija Shaik (A5), Imamul Ghazi alias Mohd Rana Hussain (A6), Mohammed Al Mamun (A8), Sojib Shaik (A9), Suresh Kumar Das alias Sagor (A10), Mohd Abdulla Munshi alias Abdul Sarkar (A11) and Mohd Ayub Shaik (A12). They were prosecuted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
Kanimozhi meets former Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata as DMK outreach fuels third-front talk
DMK leader Kanimozhi met Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Thursday. This meeting follows discussions with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. Strains between DMK and Congress have emerged recently. The TMC and Congress have also sparred over a West Bengal bypoll. Kanimozhi's outreach sparks speculation about opposition coordination efforts.
West Bengal needs 7.25% annual growth to achieve 5X economy by 2047: ORF report
A report details West Bengal's path to a fivefold economy by 2047. It identifies growth gaps and proposes six pillars for development. The state budget aligns with productivity and capital formation goals. Investment incentives and single window clearance aim to boost realization. Infrastructure and federal alignment are key steps for future growth.
ORF report outlines roadmap for West Bengal economy growth by 2047
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Within democracy, there is no place for dictatorship, says Ritabrata Banerjee on TMC symbol row
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Reacting to the Election Commissions interim decision to freeze the name and election symbol of the Trinamool Congress, West Bengal Assembly Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said the order underlined that political parties cannot be treated as private entities or passed down through dynastic succession. Speaking on the party symbol row, Banerjee said the development came as a surprise to party leaders, who learnt about the Commissions decision. Just after getting off the plane, we found out that the symbol has been frozen, and the name has been frozen. However, one thing is clear: within a democracy, there is no place for dictatorship, Banerjee said. He further linked the Election Commissions interim order to the broader debate over the control and ownership of political parties, arguing that a party cannot be treated as a private limited company or inherited by an individual as a family possession. This narrative that was going on regarding the symbol and the name, the Election Commissions interim order today proves that there is no room for dynastic politics. A political party is not a private limited company, nor can there be an heir to a political party. This has been proven today, he said. The remarks came after the Election Commission ordered an interim freeze on the name and election symbol of the All India Trinamool and directed the rival factions to choose new names and symbols until the dispute is settled. The Commissions decision has significant implications for the upcoming Assembly bypolls in West Bengal. The EC had announced bypolls in two constituencies, Nandigram and Rejinagar, to be held on October 6. In its order, the EC said it had considered the material available before it and concluded that there were two rival groups within the All India Trinamool Congress, each claiming to represent the party. On due consideration of the totality of information available on recordthe Commission is of the opinion that there are two rival groups in the All India Trinamool Congress, one led by Ms Mamata Banerjee and the other led by Shri Arup Roy, and each group is now claiming to be the party and therefore the matter requires a substantive determination by the Commission under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968, the EC order said.
EC bars TMC factions from using party name, symbol in by-poll
New Delhi: The Election Commission has directed rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) not to use the party name and Flowers and Grass symbol during the West Bengal bypolls, and asked them to submit their preferred names and symbols by Friday, September 18. In its interim order issued on Thursday night, the 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 .
Abandoned pony limping through Kharagpur traffic rescued for veterinary care
Dialysis sevices at Rs 200 for 24 patients a day at south Kolkata healthcare centre
BJP appoints Suvendu Adhikari and Mithun Chakraborty as star campaigners for West Bengal bypolls
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The State government also observedthePMs Birthday as Annapurna Divas and launched thePM Vishwakarma Scheme; This is the first time West Bengal has joined th scheme launched by the Union government
No culture of cut-money in Bengal anymore: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his birthday, said that no eligible women will be deprived of the benefits of Annapurna Yojana in West Bengal
Mithun Chakraborty Celebrates PM Modis Birthday with Annapurna Day Announcement in West Bengal
Mithun Chakraborty announces Annapurna Day in West Bengal to honor PM Modis birthday, highlighting womens empowerment initiatives. Mithun Chakraborty Celebrates PM Modis Birthday with Annapurna Day Announcement in West Bengal
EC freezes TMC name & symbol, asks rival camps for options
West Bengal to Register PMAY Homes Solely in Womens Names, Says CM Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengals CM announces homes under PMAY will be registered in womens names, promoting empowerment and financial support for female residents. West Bengal to Register PMAY Homes Solely in Womens Names, Says CM Suvendu Adhikari
EC bars Trinamool factions from using party name, symbol
The Election Commission has issued an interim order preventing rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy, from using the party name and its Flowers and Grass symbol during the upcoming West Bengal by-elections. Both groups have been directed to submit preferred names and symbols by Friday morning for recognition and allotment for the bypolls, as the EC undertakes a substantive determination of the party dispute.
'Enabling environment of West Bengal will help business and credit growth'
SBI's Kolkata Circle sees 18% credit growth as MSMEs, housing, agriculture and infrastructure drive lending demand
Youth attacked as pub brawl ends in violent fight over 10 km away
Ensure protection to victims, families, crime witnesses: Lalbazar
Onus on state to ensure student safety at universities: Calcutta High Court
Rain may play spoilsport in kite festival today: Met
No Strings Attached: LED Kites With Remote Control Set To Rule Kolkata Sky
Fake doctors: Police investigate medical council
Flight-vs-kite Plays Out At Eco Park In Kolkata as Bengal Govt Hosts Festival Near Airport
South Kolkata pujas told to keep roads, pedestrian paths clear
Adanis to host puja preview tour from Oct 10 to Oct 12
West Bengal can catalyse China+1 for revitalization of industry
Eastern state can pave the way for alternative supply chain hub By Subrara Majumder Geographically, West Bengal is placed at a unique place which can leverage it to be an important destination for the development of a formidable alternative supply chain hub. Since May 2026, given the surprise victory of BJP a pro-industrial [] The post West Bengal can catalyse China+1 for revitalization of industry appeared first on Northlines .
Lokpal rejects charges against rebel TMC MP Arup
