Page 13 - Mamata Banerjee

Mamata sets target of winning over 215 seats in 2026 Bengal Assembly polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday set an ambitious target of securing over 215 seats in the 2026 elections to the 294-member assembly, asserting that her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) would ensure a significant reduction in the BJP's tally. The BJP bagged 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections. We will win more than 215 seats out of 294, in the next Bengal assembly polls and make sure the BJP's numbers decline further, Banerjee said while addressing a party meeting. Taking a dig at the BJP, the TMC supremo recalled the saffron party's slogans in the past elections. In the 2021 assembly polls, BJP leaders said 200 paar' but were defeated. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they claimed '400 paar' but they could not even secure a majority. What Abhishek (Banerjee) said is absolutely correct. We will achieve a two-thirds majority, but you must ensure an even bigger victory. This time, BJP nominees must lose their deposits, she said. Echoing Mamata Banerjee's ...

Mamata Banerjee slams Centre over deportation of Indians from US in chains

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday strongly condemned the deportation of "illegal" Indian immigrants from the United States in chains, calling it "shameful", and questioned why the BJP-led central government did not send planes to bring them back. Addressing a party conference here, Banerjee criticised the Centre for its alleged silence on the issue, decrying the lack of dignity in the repatriation process. She asserted that the government should have ensured their return with respect. Whenever elections approach, the BJP talks about infiltration, but our citizens are deported from the US in chains. Those who returned were brought back in chains. Why? It is a matter of shame for the country, she said. Drawing a comparison, Banerjee pointed out that Colombia arranged planes to bring back its citizens, and questioned why the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre could not do the same. If Colombia can send planes to bring back its citizens, why can't our central ..

Abhishek Banerjee rejects rumours of rift with Mamata, reaffirms loyalty

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday rejected reports that he has differences with party supremo Mamata Banerjee, and reaffirmed his loyalty to her. "I am a loyal soldier of the TMC, and my leader is Mamata Banerjee," he said at a party conference here. Dismissing speculation that he might cross over to the BJP, he said, "Those who are saying that I am joining BJP are spreading canards. Even with a severed head, I will say Mamata Banerjee Zindabad. Whatever is coming out in the news these days is a blatant lie. I know the people who are spreading such fake news with vested interests ahead of next year's assembly polls." Urging party members to focus on public service instead of internal conflicts, Banerjee said, "Forget about your own differences next year and concentrate on working for the people. There is no point in engaging in conspiracies. Those indulging in WhatsApp group politics should know that such efforts will be futile. Those conspiring will be ..

Mamata Banerjee questions Maha Kumbh's 144-year cycle; BJP reacts

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari slammed Mamata Banerjee's remark, accusing her of trying to undermine the 'holy events of Sanatana Dharma'

BJP's Mithun Chakraborty refutes Mamata Banerjee's remarks on Maha Kumbh

Mamata Banerjee had earlier stated on Tuesday that the claim of Maha Kumbh occurring after 144 years was untrue

WB CM hikes salary of govt docs, seeks strict punishment for RG Kar culprit

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a salary hike for government doctors in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Banerjee, who is also the health minister of the state, announced a fund of Rs 2 crore for each medical college in the state for their cultural and sporting activities. The CM also demanded strict punishment for the culprit in the rape and murder of an on-duty medic inside state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August last year, which triggered widespread agitation by doctors who demanded justice for the deceased, workplace security and redressal of several grievances. The trial court has sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment till death after he was convicted of rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The case is now pending in the Calcutta High Court. Banerjee, while addressing a gathering of senior and junior doctors and medical students here, Banerjee highlighted her government

Demand strict punishment for those behind RG Kar incident: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday referred to the murdered woman doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital as her "sister" and extended deepest condolences to the victim's parents. She also demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the crime. Speaking at a special gathering of senior and junior doctors and medical students at Dhono Dhanyo auditorium here, Banerjee highlighted her government's efforts to ensure justice and emphasised the introduction of the Aparajita Bill, which seeks capital punishment for rape convicts. "I extend my condolences to the family of the sister who was killed in RG Kar hospital. We demand proper punishment in this case," Banerjee said. She added, "I had also taken to the streets in protest against the incident. Our government had passed the Aparajita Bill, but it is still pending (with the President)." A 31-year-old junior doctor was raped and killed at the state-run hospital in Kolkata on August 9 last year, triggerin

Mamata Banerjee's 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark draws flak from seers, leaders

The Sant Samaj has reacted sharply to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling the Maha Kumbh the "Mrityu Kumbh", saying her statement is an insult to Sanatan Dharma and demanding her public apology. National secretary of the Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani Mahant Jamuna Puri said it does not befit Banerjee to give such a statement from the responsible position she holds. "The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is Amrit Parv, the divinity and grandeur of which have been seen by the whole world. She should not use such derogatory words with the name of Maha Kumbh," he said. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Arun Giri of the Panch Dashnam Awahan Akhara strongly criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo's statement and said, "West Bengal is becoming a 'mrityu pradesh' (state of death) for Hindu Sanatanis. Thousands of Sanatanis are being massacred and lakhs of Hindus have to migrate at the time of elections." "She should worry about her state, not Uttar Pradesh. (Chief Minister) Yog

Mamata Banerjee dubs Maha Kumbh 'Mrityu Kumbh': 'No arrangements for poor'

Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of 'selling religion to divide the nation' and criticised the lack of planning for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj

RSS-BJP offer 'jumlas,' Mamata Banerjee will lead INDIA bloc: Kirti Azad

People of RSS and BJP unite in the name of religion but if you ask them what did they actually do, they have only 'jumla' to offer, TMC MP Kirti Azad said

On moral ground: Railway ministers who resigned after train tragedies

Here's a list of railway ministers who resigned, or offered to resign, following major train tragedies, taking moral responsibility for the incidents

Anti-national activities high in some areas of West Bengal: LoP Adhikari

The BJP leaders in the State have been targeting Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of giving permission to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya migrants to settle in the State

Waiting for legal opinion on Tajpur port: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

"Tendering will probably happen again as there is a dispute"

Mamata rules out alliance with Cong for 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the Trinamool Congress would go it alone in the 2026 assembly elections in the state, dismissing any possibility of forging a coalition with the Congress or any other party, according to TMC sources. Addressing her party's lawmakers at a meeting ahead of the Assembly's budget session, the TMC supremo also expressed confidence about winning the elections next year with a two-third majority. The Congress did not help the AAP in Delhi. In Haryana, the AAP did not help the Congress. So, the BJP has won in both states. Everyone should be together. But the Congress has nothing in Bengal. I will fight alone. We alone are enough," a source quoted Banerjee as telling her party's MLAs. She asserted that the party would form the government in the state for the fourth time in a row after winning more than two-third of the total seats. According to a party source, Banerjee said at the closed-door meeting that like-minded parties mus

British MP slams Bengali signage at London station, Elon Musk backs stance

Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth and a member of Reform UK, shared a photograph of the sign featuring both English and Bengali on his official X account

WB govt sets up investment synergy panel to improve ease of doing business

The West Bengal government on Saturday formed an investment synergy committee to expedite implementation of project proposals and boost the ease of doing business in the state. A notification to this effect was issued two days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during the Bengal Global Business Summit, announced that a panel would be set up to ensure ease of doing business in the state. The State-Level Investment Synergy Committee (SLISC), chaired by the chief secretary, will act as a single-window clearance system for investment proposals, ensuring approvals within a mandated timeframe, the notification said. The initiative aims to streamline the process of obtaining necessary clearances and approvals for industrial projects and other investments in the state. The SLISC will include heads of 19 departments, including industry, commerce and enterprises, environment, finance, labour, and urban development. The chief secretary may also include heads of other relevant departments

WB emerged as 'powerhouse of growth, opportunity': Mamata after biz summit

A day after the eighth edition of her government's business summit concluded, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the state has emerged "as a powerhouse of growth and opportunity" as 1.72 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. The two-day Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025 yielded 212 MoUs and Letters of Intent with investment proposals amounting to Rs 4,40,595 crore, she said. In a post on X, Banerjee said, "Yesterday, as I stood at the Bengal Global Business Summit, surrounded by policymakers, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and global visionaries, I saw a dream unfolding before my eyes. "1.72 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, and Bengal emerged as a powerhouse of growth and opportunity. I am proud to share that this year's BGBS has yielded 212 MoUs and Letters of Intent, with investment proposals totalling Rs 4,40,595 crore". The chief minister said that after assuming office in 2011, she vowed to steer Bengal towards a future of

Bengal receives investment proposals worth Rs 4.4 trn: CM Mamata Banerjee

Banerjee said investment proposals worth Rs 4,40,595 crore had been received. "I am extremely happy," she said

Bengal got investment proposals worth Rs 4.40 trn in biz summit: Mamata

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said West Bengal received investment proposals valued at over Rs 4.40 lakh crore during the two-day business conclave this year, and asserted that the state remains a "prime destination" for investors. Addressing the concluding session of the summit, Banerjee revealed that a total of 212 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and letters of intent were signed across various sectors, reflecting the state's robust investment climate. "We have received investment proposals worth Rs 4, 40,595 crore during this event. This will create thousands of job opportunities in West Bengal," she said, highlighting the significance of the summit. Banerjee also credited her government's development efforts since 2011 for uplifting 1.72 crore people above the poverty line. "Our focus on infrastructure, industry, and social welfare has led to significant progress," she added. In the last edition of BGBS in 2023, investment proposals valued at Rs 3.76 lakh crore

Bengal Summit: CM Mamata unveils investment proposals of over Rs 90.51 trn

She also said that the Deucha-Pachami project would commence on Thursday with basalt mining