Page 5 - Tmc

BJP demands Mamata's resignation after verdict on teacher recruitment scam

Supreme Court invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staff at West Bengal schools due to large-scale irregularities

EC to introduce new option in its software to detect 'ghost' voters

Amid the Trinamool Congress raising the issue of 'fake voters', the Election Commission has decided to introduce a new option in its software for the detection of 'ghost' electors, an official said. The new option would help the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) find out if multiple names are attached to a particular EPIC number, he said. "The chief electoral officers in all states have been informed about this decision," he said. On Monday, a letter was sent to the chief electoral officers of the states informing them about a new module for correcting 'duplicate EPIC numbers', the official said. West Bengal's Acting Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Das had on Monday held a virtual meeting with senior officials in the districts and briefed them about the decision, he said. Corrections on the voter list of West Bengal have been ordered to be completed by March 21, he added.

Police record West Bengal education minister's statement over JU violence

The police have recorded the statement of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu in connection with an FIR lodged against him and others in the recent incident of violence at Jadavpur University, a senior officer said. Based on a complaint by Jadavpur University student Indranuj Roy who was injured during the incident on March 1, the FIR was registered against Basu, JU professor and TMC leader Om Prakash Mishra and others. "The minister was asked about the entire incident...how he was attacked and other details. The minister's statement has been recorded," the officer said on Tuesday. Police officers had earlier spoken to Basu's driver, Rehan Molla, and Mishra. The student was injured after the minister's car allegedly grazed past him and others during protests on March 1 on the JU campus. Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), including the one dealing with someone voluntarily causing hurt, assaulting or criminal force against a woman with the intent to

TMC, BJP, BJD delegations meet EC over 'irregularities' in electoral rolls

Amid allegations of fudging of electoral rolls, the Election Commission on Tuesday invited political parties for an interaction to strengthen the electoral process

Election Commission has admitted 'guilt' over duplicate EPIC numbers: TMC

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finally "admitted and accepted" their guilt, said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as the poll panel issued a second statement over the issue of duplication of voter ID card numbers. "The ECI has finally admitted and accepted their guilt that duplicate EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) numbers have been allotted to multiple people. All of this has happened because (West Bengal) CM Mamata Banerjee nailed the lies of the ECI & exposed this scam," TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale said in a post on X shortly after the poll panel released a statement saying it will address the "decades-long" matter in the next three months. "After being in denial, the ECI now says it will 'fix the issue' in just three months. It has also given a very unconvincing explanation that "this duplication of EPIC has happened since the year 2000 due to registration officers using incorrect alphanumeric series"," he said. Gokhale questioned how an "incorrect series" was

EC's clarification on duplicate voter ID numbers a cover-up: TMC

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday dismissed the Election Commission's clarifications on duplicate voter ID numbers as a "cover-up" and cited the poll panel's own guidelines to assert that two cards cannot have the same number. The TMC on Monday alleged a "scam" in issuing duplicate voter ID card numbers and gave the poll panel a 24-hour deadline to "accept its mistake". On Tuesday, party Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale shared on X excerpts from the 'Handbook For Electoral Registration Officers' to counter the poll panel's clarifications on the issue, which was first raised by party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "Yesterday, All India Trinamool Congress had given Election Commission of India 24 hours to admit and accept their blunder on the duplicate voter ID fraud issue. Clearly, the ECI, which has been exposed, wants to brazen it out," Gokhale said. "The 'clarification' given by ECI (on Sunday) in response to CM Mamata Banerjee is actually a cover-up. They have

EC must admit error within 24 hours on duplicate voter card numbers: TMC

The Trinamool Congress on Monday expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission's response on the duplication of voter card numbers, saying the poll panel must accept the error within 24 hours. Addressing a press conference here, TMC Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Party Leader Derek O'Brien said if the EC fails to do it, the party would come out with more documents on the issue on Tuesday morning. O'Brien, along with TMC Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose and Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad, displayed lists with details of voter id cards with the same EPIC number, and said most of them were from states ruled by the BJP. "We want only residents of a state to vote in that state. Only voters of Bengal to vote in Bengal... Voters will not be allowed to vote as their votes will be cast by people with identical EPIC numbers," O'Brien said. "These people will be sneaked in from other states to vote. This is unacceptable," he added. Amid reports flagging issuance of identical voter card

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

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 ..

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

EAM should clarify if India raised deportation issue with US: TMC MP

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar must clarify if the issue of deportation of Indians, who had migrated illegally to the US, was raised with President Donald Trump during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit, Trinamool Congress (TMC0 MP Saket Gokhale said on Monday. In a post on X, Gokhale said the continuing deportations show that either Prime Minister Modi did not express concern over the "inhuman treatment" given to the deportees when he met the US President or that he was "rebuffed by Trump". "Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar must clarify. Since Friday, two more US Military flights have landed in India carrying deported Indians. On both flights, Indians were put in handcuffs and leg shackles. Some reports claim that Sikhs were not even allowed to wear their turbans," Gokhale said. "This happened after PM Modi returned to India from his meeting with US President Trump," the TMC Rajya Sabha said. "It is clear that PM Modi did note raise our concerns over inhuman ...

TMC's last Budget before polls lays focus on job creation, DA hiked by 4%

Given the focus on social sector schemes, the state is planning market borrowing of over Rs 81,972 crore in 2025-26, projecting the total outstanding debt to go up to Rs 7,71,670 crore

BJP's Bengal unit hails Delhi poll results, TMC maintains silence

The BJP West Bengal unit on Saturday hailed the party's good performance in the Delhi Assembly polls, terming it a rejection of corruption and nepotism, while the TMC, which had backed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), maintained silence on the outcome. BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said the verdict in Delhi reflected people's faith in development and would serve as a morale booster for party workers in West Bengal ahead of next year's assembly elections. The BJP is poised to form a government in Delhi after more than 26 years, with the latest Election Commission trends showing the saffron party ahead in 45 of the 70 assembly seats and AAP in 21 seats. "The people of Bengal will also vote for the BJP in the next assembly polls and reject the TMC," Majumdar said. Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, took to X to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the victory, calling it a decisive mandate against AAP. "Huge Victory fo

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

Shatrughan Sinha takes 'prachar mantri' jibe at PM, bats for AAP in Delhi

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "prachar mantri" who spent 10 to 12 hours daily on promotion. The actor-turned-politician was taking part in a poll rally in support of AAP candidate Atishi. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and AAP are partners in the opposition INDIA bloc. "Our honourable promotion minster Promotion minister means prime minister," Sinha said in a jibe at Modi. "He is my friend and my prime minister. It is said that he works 18 hours a day but I find him doing promotional work for 10 to 12 hours. Be it a councillor, MLA or parliamentary election, wherever you see, our honourable prime minster always goes there," Sinha said. The TMC MP cited instances of Modi's previous election promises such as two crore jobs, doubling of farmers' income, Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of each person and alleged these promises were not fulfilled. "Farmers' income, which used to be Rs 32 daily, has fallen to Rs 27. What will

Union Budget 2025: Budget only for polls and allies, says Opposition

Several Chief Ministers, including Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin and Karnataka's Siddaramaiah, criticised the Budget for ignoring the demands and needs of their states, while favouring only Bihar

'Nothing for Bengal' in Union Budget , says TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the Union Budget 2025-26 has "nothing" for West Bengal, alleging that the state continues to remain "deprived" under the BJP-led NDA rule at the Centre. Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, who was talking to reporters in Delhi after the budget presentation in Parliament, said several announcements were made for Bihar as the assembly elections there are due later this year. Bihar remained in focus in the presentation of the Union Budget for the 2025-26 fiscal with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman making several announcements for the state, including setting up of a makhana board, financial assistance for western Kosi canal and support for enhancing the capacity of IIT Patna. "There has been nothing for Bengal in the Union Budget. As in the past during the BJP's reign, there has not been enough allocation for the state in this budget. Our (TMC) MPs have been vocal and have sought a rise in the allocation

Wait and watch as RS dy speaker yet unlikely: TMC leader Derek O'Brien

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien has said a deputy speaker may not be appointed even during the current Budget session, even as he asked people to "wait and watch" if the opposition brings another impeachment motion against Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. In a post published on his blog on the first day of the Budget session of Parliament, the TMC Parliamentary party leader in RS shared notes on the upcoming Session, and said speeches by two women President Droupadi Murmu, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will present the Budget will dominate the news space in the next few days. He, however, added that of the six largest political parties, Trinamool Congress at 39 per cent has the highest number of women lawmakers. In contrast, Telugu Desam Party has 6 per cent women MPs, BJP has 13 per cent, and INC, DMK and SP have 14 per cent each, he said. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's saying that India has massive scope for live concerts, the TMC leader wondere

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha to campaign for AAP ahead of Delhi Assembly polls

Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha will campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi ahead of the February 5 Assembly polls, party sources said on Tuesday. According to a highly placed source, Sinha, the TMC MP from Asansol, will canvass for the AAP in at least three constituencies on February 1 and 2. These include former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's New Delhi constituency, Chief Minister Atishi's Kalkaji constituency, and Manish Sisodia's Jangpura constituency. The TMC believes that the actor-turned-politician, who hails from Bihar, could mobilise Delhi's 'Purvanchali' voters, a term referring to migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The Purvanchalis are an influential voter base in the city. The source added that "one or two more" TMC leaders may join the campaigning in Delhi. The TMC had extended support to the AAP for the Delhi polls, where the BJP and the Congress are also in the fray making it a triangular contest. The TMC and the AAP are part of the INDIA bloc which

R G Kar victim's parents being used by those who conspire against govt: TMC

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh on Saturday alleged that the parents of the R G Kar hospital victim are being "used" by the forces which want to "defame, malign and plot conspiracy against the Mamata Banerjee government". His comment comes a day after the parents of the deceased doctor at the R G Kar hospital said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cannot disown the responsibility for the alleged attempt of the police and hospital authorities to destroy evidence of rape and murder of their daughter. They attempted to shield the main conspirators behind the crime, while the CBI failed to bring to book all the perpetrators and overlooked the larger conspiracy aspect, the parents claimed on Friday. Ghosh alleged, "The parents of the deceased doctor are being used by forces which want to defame, malign and plot conspiracy against the Mamata Banerjee government and derail the process to ensure justice for the woman medic. Please don't let yourself be used by any ...