 The Trinamool Congress made a clean sweep on Saturday winning both the Asansol Lok Sabha and the Ballygunge assembly seats in West Bengal while the Congress bagged a constituency each in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and the Rashtriya Janata Dal one in Bihar in the bypolls to these seats with the Bharatiya Janata Party drawing a blank.

Bypolls: TMC, Congress, RJD Win; BJP Draws Blank

Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, will visit the home of a BJP worker who died in "mysterious" circumstances at Kashipur area of north Kolkata on Friday. The body of Arjun Chowrasia, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader of the Kashipur area, was found hanging inside an abandoned building in Ghosh Bagan area, police said. The BJP has alleged that he was murdered by the ruling TMC, which has denied the charge. A senior state BJP leader said Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the state, will visit Chowrasia's residence this afternoon. "He was an efficient party worker. We found him dead this morning. He was to be part of a bike rally that was to be taken out from Kolkata airport to welcome Amit Shah Ji," state BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said. Another senior BJP leader said Shah was upset after hearing the news. "Shah Ji told us to cancel his grand welcome at the NSC Bose airport and said he will visit the spot and Chowrasia's residence," he said. He will arrive in the city from north Bengal on the second leg of his two-day visit. Refuting the BJP charge, TMC MP Santanu Sen said, "The allegations against us are baseless. Let the police investigate the matter". The police said an investigation has started into the incident. Chowrasia's family has demanded a CBI inquiry into his death, while BJP activists staged a protest as the police tried to take away his body from the spot. A huge police contingent was rushed to the spot to control the situation. Union Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar said, "It is shameful that a BJP worker was mercilessly killed and that when the union home minister is in the state. Law and order have broken down completely in the state". TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh wondered whether it was a case of suicide or killing due to infighting in the saffron camp to create an issue during Shah's visit. "It is a well-crafted screenplay by the saffron camp," he said. Shah had on Thursday slammed the TMC government over the killings of BJP workers in the state.—PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, will visit the home of a BJP worker who died in "mysterious" circumstances at Kashipur area of north Kolkata on Friday.

BJP worker found dead in the city, Shah to visit his residence

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, will visit the home of a BJP worker who died in "mysterious" circumstances at Kashipur area of north Kolkata on Friday.





Lucknow: The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) national president Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday said the Opposition parties will form a huge alliance to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.SBSP, the former BJP ally in Uttar Pradesh, walked out of the alliance over the reservation issue and joined the opposition led by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and contested the recently concluded assembly election in alliance with SP.Rajbhar said he recently met Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the two-day training program of his party workers in Lucknow on Sunday, Rajbhar said, "A huge alliance is to be formed (in 2024). I met Mamata Ji, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Lalu Ji. Our duty is to make efforts and bring everyone on one platform. Let's see if it (Opposition alliance for 2024 polls) happens.""The Samajwadi Party-led alliance that contested the 2022 assembly election in Uttar Pradesh will remain the same. The alliance with Akhilesh Yadav, Sanjay Chauhan and Jayant Chaudhary will continue," he added.The SBSP chief said that during the two-day training program the party workers were directed to create awareness among the masses about the anti-people policies of the BJP government.&nbsp;—ANI

The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) national president Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday said the Opposition parties will form a huge alliance to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Opposition To Form Alliance Against BJP For 2024 Lok Sabha Polls: O P Rajbhar

Kolkata: &nbsp;Bringing an end to all speculations and in another jolt to the BJP, BJP's Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh rejoined West Bengal's Trinamool Congress on Sunday evening. He was greeted back into the party by Trinamool General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee at the party office at Camac Street in central Kolkata. Other top Trinamool leaders, MLAs, and ministers from the North 24 Parganas district were present on the occasion.The development comes as another setback for the BJP against the backdrop of the West Bengal Panchayat polls in 2023 and the Lok Sabha polls in 2024, as Singh was an important pillar in expanding its organisational base in North 24 Parganas district, especially in the Barrackpore, area since 2019. Speculations were rife for quite some time that Singh might come back to Trinamool as he continued with his salvos against the Union government on the issue of fixing the price of jute. Recently Singh also became vocal against the state leadership of BJP claiming that the latter has become social media-oriented instead of focusing on grassroots level organisation.Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP's national President J.P. Nadda even had separate meetings with Singh in New Delhi to address his grievances. However, as the latest developments show, those did not prove to be fruitful. After rejoining, Singh said that he had switched over the BJP in 2019 after misunderstandings with Trinamool leadership. "But after joining BJP, I faced hurdles in acting independently as an elected Lok Sabha member from the state. I tried hard to settle the jute price issue and there too I faced hurdles. So, I decided to join back...," he said.Asked whether he would resign as a Lok Sabha member on moral grounds, Singh said that currently there are two Lok Sabha members from Bengal, who are officially Trinamool MPs, but are actually with the BJP."The day these two MPs resign on moral grounds, I will also resign within an hour and face fresh elections," he said. His clear hints were towards the Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari's father, Sisir Adhikari, the Trinamool MP from Kanthi and brother, Dibyendu Adhikari, the Trinamool MP from Tamluk. Both these constituencies are in East Midnapore district. Reacting to Arjun Singh's exit, BJP's national Vice President, Dilip Ghosh said that Singh was unable to bear the administrative and police pressure on him since the time he was elected on behalf of the BJP from Barrackpore. "Previously some of our elected MLAs joined Trinamool Congress because of the same pressure," he claimed.Arjun Singh was a four-time Trinamool MLA from Bhatpara Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district from 2011 to 2019. However, as he was denied the Lok Sabha nomination from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency by the Trinamool leadership in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he joined the saffron camp. The BJP fielded him as its candidate from Barrackpore Lok Sabha in 2019 and Singh got elected defeating Trinamool' sitting member, Dinesh Trivedi by a margin of little less than 15,000 votes.—IANS

Bringing an end to all speculations and in another jolt to the BJP, BJP's Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh rejoined West Bengal's Trinamool Congress on Sunday evening.

BJP Lok Sabha member Arjun Singh rejoins Trinamool Congress

Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress block president of Belpahari in Jhargram district has quit his post in the wake of the recent diktat by party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee that those occupying positions cannot take up the job of a contractor.Abhijit Dutta told reporters on Saturday that he had quit the post on Thursday and sent a letter to the district leadership to this effect."It is not possible to run the family without the job of contractor. I will remain a loyal soldier, a grassroot party worker. But as directed by our leader Abhishek Banerjee to all TMC post holders who are contractors, I am hereby quitting the post of block president," he added.At a recent public meeting at Haldia in Purba Medinipur, Banerjee had said TMC leaders occupying any post in the party should not run their contractor business.Banerjee had apparently said so in the wake of allegations by opposition BJP and CPI-M that TMC leaders were amassing money from development projects in rural and urban areas either as contractors or in collusion with contractors.BJP district president Debashis Kundu said "This is an eye wash. Abhijit will run the show despite not being the president of the block in future. TMC and illegal gratification from projects have become synonymous."TMC state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said Banerjee believes that a party functionary should not be involved in contract business. "We believe in transparency and Dutta's decision proves that. BJP should instead hold the mirror to itself.—PTI

A Trinamool Congress block president of Belpahari in Jhargram district has quit his post in the wake of the recent diktat by party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee that those occupying positions cannot take up the job of a contractor.

TMC booth president quits post after Abhishek diktat

A Trinamool Congress block president of Belpahari in Jhargram district has quit his post in the wake of the recent diktat by party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee that those occupying positions cannot take up the job of a contractor.



Agartala : &nbsp;Trinamool Congress (TMC) would implement the 'Bengal model of governance' in Tripura and it would continue its fight unless the BJP government voted out in the northeastern state, party leaders said here on Monday.The Trinamool Congress on Monday set up its state party headquarters, two-and-a-half months after the party had announced a 132-member full-fledged committee in the state. After Assam and Meghalaya, the Trinamool Congress, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday set up its Tripura state party headquarters in Agartala.After the inauguration of the state party headquarters at Chittaranjan Road in the heart of the capital city, TMC's Tripura state in-charge Rajib Banerjee quoting party's National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, said: "Tripura is our next goal. We are following that. We would implement the Bengal model of governance into the state and continue to oust BJP from the governance."All the social sector schemes launched by the Bengal government would be implemented in Tripura once the TMC came to power in the state after the early next year's assembly elections, he said.TMC's Tripura state President Subal Bhowmik said that the people had been waiting for the day when the BJP would be voted out of power."Even last night, the ruling party tried to create obstructions to halt the inauguration of our party office. But the people of Tripura are with us and they want Mamata Banerjee's leadership to free Tripura of the oppressive BJP regime," Bhowmik said.TMC's Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev highlighted how "democracy was being muzzled" in Tripura."In a democratic country, it took a political party one year to establish its own party office in another state. This was not due to the lack of our efforts but other reasons," he said.We want to assure all sections of people that we will stand by their side and fight for them. We will fight the 2023 Assembly elections not through bullets or violence but through democracy," she said.Senior TMC leader from Bengal Moloy Ghatak was also present at the event.He said: "People of Tripura will have a place to raise their complaints and seek support in their struggle against the BJP government."Bengal TMC Youth Congress leader Saayoni Ghosh said that the support by the common people to the party has given us the encouragement to continue our fight against the BJP government. -- IANS

Trinamool Congress (TMC) would implement the 'Bengal model of governance' in Tripura and it would continue its fight unless the BJP government voted out in the northeastern state, party leaders said here on Monday.

Bengal model of governance to execute in Tripura: Trinamool

New Delhi: The Opposition's vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva on Saturday described the prevailing situation in the non-Bharatiya Janata Party camp as a "family quarrel", but asserted they are clear they don't want a one-party rule and were working to "sink the differences" and unite for the 2024 challenge.The 80-year-old Alva, who faces an uphill task in the August 6 vice presidential poll, also said the Opposition was clear in its intention that the Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions protected.In an interview to&nbsp;PTI, the former governor said, "The tragedy of today's democratic system is that the mandate of people does not prevail and muscle and money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework."On frequent disruptions seen in Parliament, the multi-term parliamentarian said these interruptions were happening because the Chair was "unable to work out compromises" and consider the Opposition's viewpoint."How can a democracy function with the government slogan seemingly being 'my way or no way'."Alva has been fielded by the Opposition for the vice presidential poll contest against the ruling National Democratic Alliance's Jagdeep Dhankhar, but the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has announced it will abstain from the election.Alva admitted she was "aghast at the announcement" the TMC would abstain."Mamata has been leading the entire movement to unite the opposition," Alva said. "She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind."On Saturday, Alva met Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal to seek his support for her vice presidential bid.On dynastic politics, which has been frequently been deprecated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a threat to democracy, Alva said there is nothing wrong in children of politicians coming in. "But they have to win elections and the confidence of people and be accepted."Alva, a former Congress general secretary, had questioned the denial of a party ticket to her son in the 2008 Karnataka elections when wards of leaders in other states had been accommodated.On her rival Dhankhar's tenure as West Bengal governor, she said there is a 'Lakshman Rekha' a Raj Bhawan occupant needs to respect. "It is unethical and unconstitutional to function as a party representative when holding the constitutional office."Downplaying the apparent cracks in the Opposition betrayed by the cross-voting in the presidential poll on July 18, Alva said, "Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together before the general elections. I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024."There might be ups and downs, differences but the intention is clear, they are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected. We do not want a one-party rule."The veteran Congress leader, who has spent nearly 50 years in politics, said the differences in the Opposition bloc were "like a family quarrel" which would be resolved."We will sit and sort it out," she said, adding "She (Mamata) is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of the Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen. She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win."The Congress veteran, who has served as governor of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, also favoured consensus on the posts of president and vice president, saying the government should take the initiative and engage various parties and forge a common ground.On the status of democracy in the country, she said "it is not the mandate of the people that prevails" these days."In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power and threats change the composition of the elected framework," Alva said, citing the examples of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.She added, "Today, it is frightening when I look around. It's a different world altogether. You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?"She said parliamentary disruptions are unfortunate."The point is why are there disruptions?" she asked. "It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the house.""You can't just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion, the opposition candidate said. "How can a democracy function like this? The government's slogan seems to be either my way or no way. You don't allow a discussion and you don't want to hear a point of view which is different from yours. It is the people suffering outside -- common people, the voter, the taxpayer.Noting that she has been a governor and a lawyer -- her vide presidential poll rival Dhankhar has also served as governor and lawyer -- she said, "He (Dhankhar) has been fighting a woman in the state (West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee) and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars..."Alva said Dhankhar is "being rewarded" for the hard political stance he took as West Bengal governor."I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can't sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional."Speaking about her own journey, Alva said Indira Gandhi was her political mentor."Indira ji handpicked me for Parliament, but my in-laws helped me grow."The numbers in the electoral college are heavily against Alva, but she said in democracy it was important to accept the challenge, notwithstanding the considerations of victory or loss. "Because the numbers are stacked against us, should we not fight the election?""I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now the electoral college. We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge," Alva said.The veteran leader also pointed to her struggles saying she has come up the ladder of politics -- from block level to being MP, minister and governor -- all by the virtue of "hard work, commitment and clean politics"."This is another chapter," said Alva, who had returned to Bengaluru to settle, but returned when called upon by the Opposition to fight the August 6 election.—PTI

The Opposition's vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva on Saturday described the prevailing situation in the non-Bharatiya Janata Party camp as a "family quarrel", but asserted they are clear they don't want a one-party rule and were working to "sink the differences" and unite for the 2024 challenge.

Aghast at TMC's decision to abstain from VP poll: Margaret Alva

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers on Wednesday staged a sit-in protest at the Gandhi statue outside Parliament on Wednesday over their suspension from Rajya Sabha. MPs who were suspended on Tuesday over 'unruly behaviour and disrupting proceedings' include Sushmita Dev, Santanu Sen, Dola Sen, Mausam Noor, Shanta Chhetri, Abhi Ranjan Biswar and Mohd Nadidul Haque. Earlier today, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of this week for "throwing paper on the Chair" a day ago during proceedings of the House. Singh is the 20th MP from the Upper House who has been suspended for disrupting proceedings. This is the highest number of single-batch suspensions in the Upper House.Meanwhile, a meeting of Opposition parties was held to discuss the issue of suspension of MPs. However, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) skipped the meeting.Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/mallikarjun-kharge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Mallikarjun Kharge</a>&nbsp;said that the Opposition will submit a request to the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to rescind the suspension of the members who raised their voices against the price rise.Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, "The issues that we have been raising since the last 7 days regarding inflation and imposition of GST on essential commodities, today on the eighth day also we will raise our voice regarding the same. Common people are worried about this. We are also raising our voices continuously, but the government is not ready for discussion. I personally met the chairman and said that you allow the discussion and tell the date and time, we will be ready for discussion, but the government is not ready to accept it. We will submit a request to Speaker and the Chairman to rescind the suspension of the members who raised their voices against the price rise."He further said that the suspension of MPs which has been done at the behest of the government should be withdrawn with immediate effect."We have called a meeting of opposition parties. We will discuss amongst ourselves and appeal to the Speaker to withdraw the suspension of these 19 MPs. Those MPs who raise their voice against inflation should not suppress their voice by suspending them. This suspension, which has been done at the behest of the government, should be withdrawn with immediate effect," he said.On July 25, four Congress MPs including Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, Jothimani and TN Prathapan were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the entire&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/monsoon-session" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Monsoon session</a>&nbsp;for their 'unruly behaviour and disrupting proceedings.'The MPs were suspended according to Rule 374 on 'unruly and disrespectful behaviour towards the Chair.'The Upper House has been facing adjournment on various issues due to the Opposition ruckus since the Parliament's Monsoon Session started.The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 18 and will continue till August 12. There will be 18 sittings during the Session.—ANI

Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers on Wednesday staged a sit-in protest at the Gandhi statue outside Parliament on Wednesday over their suspension from Rajya Sabha.

Suspended MPs of TMC hold sit-in protest at Gandhi statue outside Parliament

Panaji: Jolted with 'defection politics' from its own fold, Congress has pushed itself in a survival mode in Goa while on the other hand new entrants like Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are trying to strengthen their base.
In 2017, Congress was the largest party in the Goa Assembly elections with 17 MLAs, however it couldn't form the government. This forced its MLAs to leave the party and join the ruling BJP. Initially, three of its MLAs resigned and contested on the BJP tickets thereby finding place in the ruling set up after getting elected. This encouraged other ten MLAs who also walked out (more than two-third) to join the BJP on July 10, 2019.
Finding the Congress on the downslide, parties like the AAP and TMC decided to fill in the opposition space. 'A vote to Congress means a vote to BJP' -- this has been the slogan that both the new entrant parties have been highlighting.
The threat of defections from the Congress continues even today. On July 10, an intervention of senior leaders of the Congress helped prevent what seemed a likely defection by its two-third MLAs to join the BJP.
Congress in-charge of Goa, Dinesh Gundu Rao swung into action and decided to file disqualification petitions against Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat alleging that both were involved in anti-party activities (persuading other MLAs to join BJP).
"The BJP was trying for a two-third split in Congress, so minimum 8 MLAs could leave the party," Rao had said while attacking the BJP for allegedly offering money to the MLAs to split.
Though this political drama has been temporarily defused, there is every possibility that those in rebellion mood may join the BJP any time in future. This has invited wrath from non-BJP voters in the state.
With a vibrant campaign and promising the people that henceforth their MLAs will not defect, for which candidates had pledged before God, the Congress had managed to win 11 seats in the 2022 Assembly election. However, the party has again started to lose the faith of the public due to recent 'unsuccessful' defection event.
Trinamool Congress' Goa in-charge Kirti Azad speaking to IANS said that they don't have to take anybody's place, but they will be in power in near future in Goa.
"We contested for the first time in Goa and secured 8.7 per cent votes. People are automatically coming to TMC, the Congress is losing its base. We had told the people before the election that we are a party to be trusted, because there are musical chairs going on between the BJP and Congress. Congress is more versed in the game of this musical chair. Now I am sure that the people are repenting that they didn't give us the chance," Azad said.
"I have respect for the grand old Congress party, but they have to realise that they have to go to the grassroots. You can't be dependent on individuals who jump ships," he said.
Aam Aadmi Party Goa Unit President Adv. Amit Palekar said that they knew that the defection threat will continue in the Congress. "This was supposed to happen, we were telling this before the elections. It has been avoided for some time, but it is bound to happen again," Palekar said.
"If the Congress was confident (that MLAs are united) then they should have withdrawn the disqualification petition. They still have doubts that their MLAs will defect," Palekar said.
He said that the AAP was highlighting major issues of Goa. "We are looking to be in power in the future. We will not try to capture anybody's place, but we will create our own space wherever it is required," he said.
"We are trying to attract all Goans, we are hoping to be in power," he said.
The AAP has two MLAs in the Goa Assembly. However, despite an energetic campaign TMC couldn't win a single seat in the 2022 Assembly election.—IANS

Jolted with 'defection politics' from its own fold, Congress has pushed itself in a survival mode in Goa while on the other hand new entrants like Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are trying to strengthen their base.

Will BJP join AAP, Congress's 'Sop Opera' In Gujarat?

Soumitra Bose
New Delhi (The Hawk): "Ekla Chalo". Back to "Ekla Chalo" era like solitary entity now that "for all" Didi Mamata Banerjee has "post just out by-election results realised loud-n-clear that her D-day of her 'wrap-up' is imminent in the ensuing days unless she is on her own in the true sense of 'for her, of her, by her' and segregates from her 'pets' including her 'heir-projected Abhishek Banerjee, MP + nephew' and that's why she's 'ekla' (lonesome)". Many of her die-hard confidantes, lieutanants, lackeys, orderlys, janitors are truly shell shocked at her sudden change. But they have no answer as she has not provided --- leave alone even slightest semblance of it --- them with any explanation to her "sudden turn around". "Serious analysers" explain that the reasons for her sudden "turn around" stems from her party's defeat, that too to he bitterest foe, the Congress-Left Front combine, in Muslim-dominated Murshidabad which she never anticipated in her wildest dreams: Her 'always accurate uncanny tantra, incantations' failed her for the first time. She did not have even a slightest inkling of her defeat. That too, amid Muslims whom she reportedly treats as her "inherent inseparable alter ego". This time without giving any prior indication / intimation of any kind, they "ditched her evincing to her they are back with the CPI(M) led Left Front + Congress as before and enough's enough with her and her TMC that if all have given steady rise to "numerous mafiosi in the state: Lottery Mafia, Chit Fund Mafia, School Mafia, Education Mafia, Coin Mafia, Cow Mafia, Woman-Peddling Mafia, Child-Smuggling Mafia, Beef Mafia etc, etc, much of whom already are in law-n-order dragnet and more are in offing in ensuing times. The common brewing opinions are: Without the tacit or direct or indirect consent of Mamata Banerjee, those statewide mafias just can not freely thrive in the state with international threads. Thus, the masses' disillusionment, dissociation with the TMC and her. What's more? Her own trusted minister --- now deposed --- Partha Chatterjee is in incarceration after being found neck deep in School Mafia syndrome with crores and crores in cash etc from his pad/s. There are more such...It is, yes, one of the many such reasons why the state's masses including the Muslims have walked away from her to embrace Congress-Left Front in an assured spirit of resurrecting, re-pepping, re-vitalising, re-popularising it to be "governed by them". As for Mamata, "Ekla Cholo".&nbsp;

 "Ekla Chalo". Back to "Ekla Chalo" era like solitary entity now that "for all" Didi Mamata Banerjee has "post just out by-election results realised loud-n-clear that her D-day of her 'wrap-up' is imminent in the ensuing days unless she is on her own in the true sense of 'for her, of her,

'Ekla Chalo'

New Delhi: Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders here claimed that the Congress "cannot take us for granted" after their party skipped Wednesday's Opposition rally over the Adani issue.
According to sources within the party, Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has disturbed the leadership with his remarks on TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The TMC did not sign an unified opposition letter to the Director of Enforcement Directorate, SK Mishra, on Wednesday, demanding the probe agency to investigate the Adani Group over allegations of unethical practises, including money laundering through shell firms. In addition, it skipped the Opposition's march to the ED headquarters.—Inputs from Agencies

Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders here claimed that the Congress "cannot take us for granted" after their party skipped Wednesday's Opposition rally over the Adani issue.

After skipping Oppn march, TMC leaders warn Congress cannot take us for granted

Kolkata: A major part of the proceeds of the multi-crore scam in recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in different state-run schools in West Bengal was invested in Tollywood film industry, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court here on Friday.
ED Counsel Phiroze Edulji told the court that that amounts as high as Rs 6.50 crore were transferred to a number of Tollywood actors and actresses from two bank accounts held by expelled and arrested youth Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh over a period of time.
One such Tollywood actor, Bonny Sengupta aka Anupiryo Sengupta had admitted accepting Rs 40 lakh from Ghosh for purchasing a vehicle and on late Thursday evening, he had already returned that amount to ED.
However, no other actor or actress who has received money from Ghosh has come up with submission on this count. Sources said that the central agency sleuths will summon them for questioning in the coming days. ED counsel said that despite repeatedly asking for the source of such huge funds, Ghosh had not come forward with any definite answer on this count.
Even the judge of the special court was heard telling the counsel of Ghosh that his client should divulge the sources of unaccounted money in his bank account. "If one earns Rs 5 crore from illegal means and then pays tax on Rs 2 crore, the entire money does not become legal," the judge observed.
Meanwhile, the ED has already freezed 10 bank accounts of Ghosh and 15 bank accounts of another expelled and arrested youth Trinamool leader Santanu Bandopadhyay, from where transactions of several crores of rupees were detected by ED sleuths.
After hearing arguments from both ends, the special court ultimately extended the judicial custody of Ghosh till March 30.
—IANS

A major part of the proceeds of the multi-crore scam in recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in different state-run schools in West Bengal was invested in Tollywood film industry, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court here on Friday.

Teachers’ Scam: Major Part Of Proceeds Invested In Tollywood Industry, ED Tells Court

New Delhi: On Friday, a Surat court barred former Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha for his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case. The party has called this a move to "suppress" his voice and has vowed to appeal the verdict in court and at the polls.
The BJP denied the allegations and said the exclusion was within the law.
Several Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, have shown strong support for the embattled leader after his disqualification, which will ban him from standing elections for eight years unless stopped by a higher court. The Lok Sabha Secretariat notified the public of his disqualification on March 23, the date of his conviction.—Inputs from Agencies

On Friday, a Surat court barred former Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha for his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case. The party has called this a move to "suppress" his voice and has vowed to appeal the verdict in court and at the polls.

Rahul Gandhi disqualified from LS; Cong vows legal and political fight, BJP calls action "lawful"

New Delhi: Taking a jibe at the Central government over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday "thanked" PM Modi and said that this issue [Congress leader's disqualification] will provide ammunition to the opposition parties.
"Well, on the one hand, what they have done appears to be an example of Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi (In adverse situations, people lose their ability to take sound decisions), but on the other hand, politically it will benefit a lot. It has given the opposition a weapon which will not only protect democracy but also help in giving an additional 100 seats to Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition," Shatrughan Sinha told ANI. "We appreciate it and thank our friend, PM Modi," he added. The TMC leader said that Rahul Gandhi's disqualification has brought the opposition parties together.
"Look, it's off to a great start. There is a saying in Chinese that a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. This is a great political move as it has brought the opposition parties together," he said.
"Today the country's most popular personality and a street fighter Mamta Banerjee has come forward on this issue in support of democracy and our friend and Delhi's CM Kejriwal has also come forward on such a serious issue," he said further.
Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha, a day after a Surat court sentenced him to two-year imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark.
The decision came pertaining to his remark made in April 2019, where he had said "how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname" at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The court approved Gandhi's bail on a surety and stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts.
—ANI

Taking a jibe at the Central government over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday "thanked" PM Modi and said that this issue [Congress leader's disqualification] will provide ammunition to the opposition parties.

Rahul's Disqualification Will Help Opposition Get  Advantage Of 100 Plus Seats: TMC's Shatrughan

Koikata: On the same day that Mamata Banerjee began her sit-in to protest what she claims is a biassed stance by the BJP-led Union government towards West Bengal, the BJP's West Bengal unit staged a protest against what they claim is widespread corruption in public recruiting and looting of central funds by the ruling TMC.
Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the opposition, spoke at the protest programme, urging voters to give the "oust Mamata Banerjee administration" movement more impetus by focusing on a "No vote to TMC" in the upcoming panchayat polls and Lok Sabha elections in the state.
"Since independence, the people of West Bengal have suffered under one of the most corrupt regimes in the world, and that government is currently led by the TMC. The term "trinamool" refers to a band of bandits. The TMC's top brass is primarily concerned with lining their own coffers, whether through bribery or the sale of positions. The corrupt system must be toppled, and the BJP will do it in the coming days "As Adhikari put it.—Inputs from Agencies

On the same day that Mamata Banerjee began her sit-in to protest what she claims is a biassed stance by the BJP-led Union government towards West Bengal, the BJP's West Bengal unit staged a protest against what they claim is widespread corruption in public recruiting and looting of central funds by the ruling TMC.

West Bengal BJP organises TMC protest rally

New Delhi News: The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal filed by fourteen political parties that claimed the Central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was misusing central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) against leaders of opposition parties.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala said that political leaders do not enjoy any immunity higher than common citizens.

The court demanded "So someone collects crores from common pensioners, no payment made and so multiple FIRs are filed...and the case comes here. Can we say that there can be no arrest here? Once we accept that political leaders are absolutely on same footing as common citizens with no higher immunity.. then how can we say there can be no arrests unless there is a three pronged test which is satisfied,"&nbsp;

The Chief Justise of India DY Chandrachud said, "You are trying to extrapolate the statistics into solid legal guidelines. So now these statistics only relates to the politicians".

The bench added that anyone who feels wronged can seek justice in court through the legal channels available to them, but without considering the particulars of each case no rule can be overrided.&nbsp;

"How can we start laying down guidelines in abstract context. Laying down general guidelines de hors the facts of the case cannot be done. If an individual comes to us, then the law can be laid down as highest court of the country.. it is in context facts of the case and also a general law. (But) we need to have facts in a case or group of cases," the Court said and refused the plea by adding "Sorry we cannot entertain this".

The 14 political parties who filed the petition were Indian National Congress (INC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bharat Rasthra Samithi (BRS), All Indian Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, JD(U), Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI, Samajwadi Party, J&amp;K National Conference.

The petition that was filed by the 14 political parties had put a light on an alarming rise in the use of coercive criminal processes against the Opposition political leaders and other citizens exercising their fundamental right to dissent and disagree with the central government.

The petition filed by advocate Shadan Farasat said that, investigating agencies such as the CBI and ED are being increasingly deployed in a selective and targeted manner with a view to completely crush political dissent and upend the fundamental premises of a representative democracy.

The petitioners seek and requested the court for triple test to be used by police officers and ED officials where arrest and remand are in practice on the offenses like tempering of evidence or influencing of witness and courts alike for the arrest of persons in any cognisable offences except those involving serious bodily violence.&nbsp;

If these condions are satified in the nature of law, alternatives like interrogation at fixed hours or at the most house arrest be used to meet the demands of investigation, added the plea. - Chirag Kaul

Misuse of investigative agencies in arresting opposition leaders, and sought guidelines on arrest.

Supreme Court on Wednesday not ready entertain the plea of 14 political parties against BJP

Suri (WB): On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to help the BJP win 35 of West Bengal's 42 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, claiming that doing so would ensure the TMC administration would not last beyond 2025.
Speaking out against what he called the "Hitler-like regime" of the Mamata Banerjee government, Shah claimed that "no one would dare to attack Ram Navami rallies in the state" if the BJP won more than 35 seats in the state in 2024.
Earlier this month, as the state celebrated Ram Navami, violence broke out in several locations.
Let me be very clear: Narendra Modi will return to the position of Prime Minister. At a rally in the Birbhum area, Shah remarked, "Give us more than 35 seats from West Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and I can assure you that the Mamata Banerjee government will not survive beyond 2025."
The third and final term of the Mamata Banerjee administration will end in 2026.
The next Chief Minister of West Bengal will not come from Mamata Banerjee's party, despite her hopes that her nephew will succeed her. He argued that the BJP was the only party capable of taking on the tainted TMC.
Abhishek Banerjee is the national general secretary and a member of parliament for the TMC.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP gained 18 seats in West Bengal's Lok Sabha.
The TMC responded angrily to Shah's remarks, labelling them "undemocratic and unconstitutional."—Inputs from Agencies

On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to help the BJP win 35 of West Bengal's 42 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, claiming that doing so would ensure the TMC administration would not last beyond 2025.

Give Bengal 35+ LS seats in 2024, TMC won't finish term: Shah

New Delhi: On Friday, the BJP called for a CBI investigation into the deaths of two adolescent girls in West Bengal, claiming that women are no longer secure in the state under the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) administration and that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should resign.
Kaliaganj is located in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, and is where one of the victim girls was allegedly raped and murdered. The body of the 17-year-old girl was discovered by locals in a canal on April 21. On April 22, police made an arrest of a 20-year-old guy in connection with the case.
A 15-year-old girl was discovered dead on April 25 in the Malda district of West Bengal. The Class 10 student's body was discovered in a field under the jurisdiction of the Kaliachak police station in the village of Ujirpur, Akandaberia.—Inputsfrom Agencies

On Friday, the BJP called for a CBI investigation into the deaths of two adolescent girls in West Bengal, claiming that women are no longer secure in the state under the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) administration and that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should resign.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's resignation and a CBI investigation into the murders of two girls are demanded by the BJP

New Delhi: Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, has spoken out in support of the wrestlers opposing the wrestling federation leader here, who has been accused of sexual harassment.
Since resuming their agitation on April 23, the wrestlers have been asking a FIR be filed against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), whom they accuse of sexual harassment and intimidation.
We must show our solidarity with the striking wrestlers. They're all chatting with the same tone. The achievements of our athletes are a source of national pride. Winners, all of them. Those responsible for wrongdoing must face justice no matter their political leanings. We must see justice done. "The truth must triumph," tweeted Banerjee, leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).—Inputsfrom Agencies

Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, has spoken out in support of the wrestlers opposing the wrestling federation leader here, who has been accused of sexual harassment.

Guilty must be brought to book irrespective of their political affiliation: Mamata on wrestlers' protest

New Delhi: The BJP claimed on Thursday that the TMC, DMK, and the Congress are "hell-bent" against the film because it threatens their "vote bank story," and that the Supreme Court's order on "The Kerala Story" is a "resounding jolt" to anyone banning it or trying to halt its screening.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed Tamil Nadu to protect the safety of moviegoers and halted the West Bengal government's order barring the film's exhibition there.
On May 8 the government of West Bengal banned the film out of fear that it may incite violence amongst different groups of people. Due of the unstable political climate and low ticket sales, theatres in Tamil Nadu chose to stop showing it as of May 7.—Inputs from Agencies

The BJP claimed on Thursday that the TMC, DMK, and the Congress are "hell-bent" against the film because it threatens their "vote bank story," and that the Supreme Court's order on "The Kerala Story" is a "resounding jolt" to anyone banning it or trying to halt its screening.

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