Page 8 - Mamata Banerjee

Mamata appeals for peace during Ram Navami, warns against rumours

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to all communities in the state to celebrate the upcoming Ram Navami festival peacefully without paying heed to rumours. Ram Navami will be celebrated on April 6 (Sunday). In an apparent reference to the BJP, Banerjee described it as a "jumla" outfit with a sole agenda to divide the country on the basis of religion. "I will ask all communities to maintain peace during Ram Navami, not pay heed to rumours and remain alert," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat on Wednesday. "I request you not to get involved in any riots... remember, it's their game plan. In West Bengal, we follow the teachings of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, and not that of the Jumla party. Also, do not disturb other festivals," the CM said. "Remember that religion belongs to an individual, but festivals are for everybody. Sikhs hold rallies with kirpans -- you can also take out rallies, but you must adhere to the police's restrictions and not create ...

Myanmar earthquake, Protests against Mamta Banerjee, Cabinet approves 2% hike in DA & more

Two powerful earthquakes of 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude struck Myanmar today, prompting the junta to declare an emergency and suspend metro and rail services.

Mamata Banerjee heckled at Oxford, shows 1990s attack photo in reply. WATCH

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Oxford speech turned chaotic as protesters heckled her. In response, she held up an old injury photo, calling it proof of an attack on her

BJP calls Mamata 'a disgrace to Bengal' as protests mar her Oxford speech

BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a video claiming Bengali Hindus confronted CM Mamata Banerjee at Kellogg College, London, during her visit

At Oxford, Mamata says her governance model doesn't allow discrimination

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that her governance model does not allow discrimination and that she prioritises the welfare of all sections of society. Addressing a gathering at the Kellogg College in the University of Oxford, she stressed the importance of inclusive development and stated that division in society is counterproductive. "If I die, before my death, I want to see unity. Unity is our strength, and division leads to our fall. This was Swami Vivekananda's belief. Keeping unity is a difficult task, but dividing people takes only a moment. Do you think the world can sustain such divisive ideology?" she asked "When I am in the chair, I cannot divide society. I have to look after the weaker sections and the poor. We have to work hard for them. At the same time, we must work for all religions, castes, and creeds together, move forward with them, and help them," she said. Banerjee, who leads the Trinamool Congress, was speaking on 'Social Developm

Look forward to fostering ties with partners in UK, says Mamata Banerjee

Speaking at the High Commission of India in London where she attended a high-tea reception, CM Banerjee called the relationship very deep

Matter of pride that CM Mamata is going to Oxford University, says Governor

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday said it is a matter of pride that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is visiting Oxford University to deliver a lecture. He also said that whenever good things happen to the state, they make him happy. "If anything good happens to Bengal, it makes us happy. Also we are proud that the CM is going to Oxford," Bose told reporters on the sidelines of a CII meet here. It is a matter of pride that the CM (who is) from the land of Rabindranath Tagore has been invited there, he said. Banerjee's lecture at Oxford University is slated for March 27. During her stay, she will also meet industrialists on March 25 to seek investments for the state. She is expected to return between March 28 and 29. As part of her itinerary in the UK, Banerjee will attend a programme at the Indian High Commission on March 24, a government-to-government (G2G) programme on March 26, and another G2G event at Oxford on March 27. About the appointment of a permanent vice .

West Bengal passes bill allowing women to work in bars, amends excise act

One of the major changes introduced is the removal of restrictions on the employment of women in ON-category liquor shops

At least 200,000 recruitments in Bengal once OBC issue sorted out: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said recruitment to fill at least two to three lakh vacancies in various state government departments could proceed once the ongoing survey to assess community backwardnessand thereby include more groups under the OBC category for reservationis completed and receives approval. Speaking in the Assembly, Banerjee lamented that recruitment had been stalled due to court cases filed by opposition parties, urging them not to "play games" that hinder the process of filling vacancies. She expressed satisfaction at the Supreme Court allowing the state's plea to conduct a fresh assessment of community backwardness for OBC categorisation and reservation, aiming to complete it within three months. "Those against OBC recruitment have moved court, thereby blocking the recruitments. Yesterday, there was a hearing at the Supreme Court and it was good. I think the matter will be sorted out soon," she said. "They have not stopped our survey, so

Sonia Gandhi, Mamata among those who inquired about my health: VP Dhankhar

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were among the leaders who got in touch with the family of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to inquire about his health after he was hospitalised for cardiac-related ailments. Dhankhar revealed this in the Rajya Sabha on Monday as he resumed chairing the proceedings of the House. He said he was "greatly touched" by the concerns expressed across party lines which contributed to his speedy recovery. "The Leader of the House (and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mallikarjun Kharge) were the first ones to get in touch with my family. "Sonia Gandhi got in touch with my wife as did the chief ministers of several states including West Bengal," he added. Gandhi was present in the House when Dhankhar mentioned this. Dhankhar, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital on March 9 followi

BJP rejects Mamata's claim on Bengal leading in investments as 'lie'

The BJP on Thursday rejected as a "lie" West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion that the state is a front-runner in receiving big industrial investment intentions, alleging that it ranks much lower in its share of actual investment. Banerjee on Wednesday said the state has emerged as a front-runner in receiving concrete big industrial investment intentions. Citing a report published by the central government's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the chief minister claimed Bengal has surpassed all the states in attracting (big) corporate industrial investment intentions in 2024. BJP's co-incharge for the state, Amit Malviya, said in a post on X, "Stop lying Mamata Banerjee. Here is a fact check on West Bengal's Investment Intentions vs Actual Investment." Citing official figures, he said West Bengal ranked fourth in investment intentions for January-November 2024, attracting proposals worth Rs 39,133 crore (7.45 per cent of total investmen

Bengal tops in MSME manufacturing industries in India: CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal topped the list in MSME manufacturing industries and also recorded the highest percentage of women-headed establishments in the country, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday. Citing the recently published findings of the 'Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises' conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Banerjee highlighted Bengal's outstanding performance in multiple sectors. "Happy to share that the recently published findings of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises' conducted by the National Statistics Office, Government of India, once again establish Bengal's top position in MSME manufacturing industries and, simultaneously, our women's wonderful performance there," Banerjee posted on X. The state recorded the highest percentage of women-headed establishments in the country, at 36.4 per cent, she said. Banerjee added that the state has emerged as the leader in workers engaged in 'Manufacturing Enterprises,' contributing

TMC begins voter list verification amid allegations of manipulation by BJP

Trinamool Congress leaders on Saturday began a door-to-door campaign to scrutinise the electoral rolls amid allegations of voter list manipulation by the BJP ahead of next year's assembly polls in West Bengal. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim personally carried out the voter list verification drive in the Chetla area of south Kolkata. The BJP is trying to manipulate the electoral rolls by bringing in fake voters from other states. So, along with our party workers, we are on a door-to-door visit to verify the voter list, Hakim told reporters. Local TMC leaders were also busy in a similar exercise in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The verification drive is being carried out by party workers in other places as well, as instructed by Banerjee, also the TMC supremo. TMC claimed that several individuals from other states were found to have been registered under the same EPIC number of genuine voters of West Bengal. Banerjee has called them "ghost ...

They have brought voters from B'desh: BJP slams Mamata, Abhishek Banerjee

Earlier, CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP was manipulating the voters' list with the blessing of the Election Commissioner

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