Page 61 - West Bengal

'BJP is frustrated in Bengal. It is losing': TMC responds to 'father' jab

TMC Sushmita Dev stated that BJP MP Dilip Ghosh's remarks against CM Mamata Banerjee went against Indian politics & traditions, and reflected the party's double standards when it came to women

LS polls: CPI(M) expects turnaround in Bengal after barren outcome in 2019

The CPI(M) is hoping for a turnaround in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal after a barren outcome in 2019, maintaining that the results will depend on the people being able to freely exercise their franchise. Claiming that the people have seen through the "hollow" promises made by the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, CPI(M) central committee member and candidate from Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency Sujan Chakraborty said that the "red flag" is there when no one else is believed to be trustworthy. "If people can exercise their franchise freely, then there will be a reflection of that in the results," he told PTI. Elections in West Bengal, where poll-related violence has been in the focus for long, will be held in seven phases with the highest number of central security forces. Several companies of central forces were sent to the state by the Election Commission as a confidence-building measure even before the polls were announced. The CPI(M)-led Left Front, which ruled the state for

BJP's candidates' list 2024: Check who makes the cut, who misses out

Lok Sabha elections: The BJP has so far announced 402 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The list includes many high-profile debutants and excludes several senior leaders

TMC won't last till 2026 if BJP gets even one more seat than them: Sukanta

Exuding confidence in the party's prospects for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said the TMC government will not complete its full term till 2026 if the saffron party gets even one more seat than the Mamata Banerjee-led party. Claiming that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is an ideological issue for Bengal BJP akin to the Ram Mandir issue for the central unit, Majumdar said the Act will help the party sweep the elections in the state. In an interview with PTI, Majumdar said the people of the state have decided to defeat the corrupt and anarchic TMC in the LS polls. "We have set a target of winning 35 seats from Bengal. We are confident about it. If we get even one more seat than that of the TMC, which we will get, the Mamata Banerjee government will not complete its full term till 2026. Its government would collapse," he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah in April last year had set a target of winning 35 out of the 42 Lok Sabha

LS polls: Discontent grows in TMC, BJP in Bengal over ticket distribution

Discontentment seems to be increasing by the day in sections of the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal with several leaders of both camps expressing displeasure over the selection of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Several TMC leaders aspiring for tickets have openly voiced their unhappiness over not being nominated for the seats they eyed. The BJP has witnessed similar dissatisfaction among some influential leaders over candidate selection. At least five senior TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor and party spokesperson Santanu Sen, who were seeking nomination from Malda North and Dum Dum seats respectively, have expressed dissatisfaction after being denied tickets. Even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's younger brother, Babun Banerjee, voiced his displeasure after not being nominated for the Howrah seat, in which the TMC gave its ticket to sitting MP Prasun Banerjee. The CM disowned her brother following his outburst. Sitting BJP MP from Barrackpo

Several non-IPS officers holding SP positions in Bengal: Suvendu to EC

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday wrote to the Election Commission claiming that there are several non-IPS officers in West Bengal holding positions designated only for IPS officers, including that of superintendents of police (SPs). However, police denied these claims, describing them as "false and misleading." Adhikari, who is the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, cited a press note from the Election Commission dated March 21, 2024, directing state governments to promptly transfer non-encadred officers from their current roles as SP/SSP and submit a compliance report. He emphasised that the position of SP in the districts is specifically designated for IPS officers. "As per the Press Note No. ECI/PN/29/2024; dated 21.03.2024 the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued directive to all respective State Governments instructing them to promptly transfer non-encadred Officers from their current roles as SP/SSP, with immediate effect, and submit a complianc

LS polls: Cong holds CEC meeting, finalises candidates for 12 Bengal seats

"Discussions took place for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal by the screening committee," said Congress leader Jaivardhan Singh

Kolkata building collapse leaves 5 dead, CM Mamata assures stern action

At least 10 people were rescued after an under-construction building collapsed here late on Sunday night, officials said. The five-storey building collapsed in Hazari Mollah Bagan in the Garden Reach area. A search operation is underway to find survivors who may be trapped under the rubble, they said. "An under-construction building collapsed in the Garden Reach area late on Sunday night. We have rescued a few people. The recuse operation is still going on," a police official said. Ambulances were stationed at the spot. In a post on X, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, "I urge @chief_west, Secretary @HomeBengal, @CPKolkata to immediately involve West Bengal State Disaster Management Team for immediate Rescue & Relief." "I am receiving frantic calls regarding probable casualties. Please dispatch any team which can help in rescuing the victims, be it Fire Servicemen, Police or any other team," he said. Adhikari also shared pictures from the ...

Lok Sabha elections 2024: EC orders removal of home secretaries in 6 states

The Election Commission has ordered the removal of home secretaries in 6 states and Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal

LIVE: Undertook yatra to meet people as media ignores issues, says Rahul

From Aam Aadmi Party plans to hold a press conference today to former US President Donald Trump threatening to levy 100% tariffs on Mexican-made cars by Chinese firms, catch all the updates here

Kolkata GPO: India's first general post office completes 250 years

Established in 1774 by the then Governor General of Bengal, Warren Hastings, Kolkata GPO holds the distinction of being India's first general post office. Over its 250-year history, it has served as a testament to the evolution of postal services in the country. This month, Kolkata GPO is celebrating its remarkable journey, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the postal landscape of India. Kolkata GPO has been the cornerstone of comprehensive and extensive postal services throughout the nation. It embodies the ethos that 'India Post is always on the move', as emphasised by Niraj Kumar, Chief Postmaster General of West Bengal Circle. The authorities are leaving no stone unturned to showcase the rich heritage and legacy of GPO Kolkata with a series of events such as postal and philatelic exhibitions on 'Journey of Mails', the release of a special cover on a boat, heritage walk and several cultural programmes during the March 14-19 period. The 250th anniversary celebration of the

Polling in 7 phases in West Bengal proves EC is 'long arm of govt': Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday said the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal is an evidence that the Election Commission is "a long arm of the government". Sibal also raised questions over the appointment of two election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu recently, saying they were appointed despite the fact that there is a Constitution bench judgment stating that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) should also be a member of the committee that recommends the names of appointees. "As far as the seven phases (of the Lok Sabha polls in the country) are concerned, that was expected," he told PTI Videos. "In fact the way they appointed these two election commissioners despite the fact that there is a Constitution bench judgment saying that the CJI should also be a member of the committee. The way they have discarded the Constitution bench decision despite the challenge pending in the Supreme Court and the way they preponed the appointment, only shows that

Sandeshkhali ED attack: CBI arrests 3, including Shahjahan Sheikh's brother

The arrested individuals are believed to be associates of expelled TMC leader Shahajahan Sheikh, who was apprehended earlier in connection with the same case

25,000 CAPF personnel to be deployed for 1st phase polling in West Bengal

Around 25,000 central forces personnel will be deployed for the elections in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in northern West Bengal in the first phase on April 19, an official said on Saturday. Polling will be held in Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seats in the first phase. "Around 250 companies of central forces will be deployed in the first phase of elections on April 19. There will be a control room in each of the districts, and senior officers will be in charge of those," the official said. One company of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) consists of around 100 personnel, meaning that around 25,000 personnel will be deployed for elections in these three seats. Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab said all steps were being taken to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election in the state. "No disturbances will be tolerated," he said. He also urged leaders to have "control" over the statements they make during campaigning. "The Election Commission will

CM Mamata's health is stable, undergoing fast recovery, say doctors

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's health condition is "fine", doctors treating her, said on Saturday morning. The 69-year-old is recovering well, they said. "The chief minister is fine and stable. She is recovering well. The pain due to the injuries has also subsided much. Still, she is prescribed to take rest," a senior official of the state-run SSKM Hospital told PTI. The Bengal CM also slept well in the night, he added. The Trinamool Congress supremo had a fall at her Kalighat residence on Thursday evening leading to severe injuries on her forehead and nose. Banerjee's nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee rushed her to the SSKM Hospital where she underwent three stitches on her forehead and one on her nose. A three-member doctor team visited the Bengal CM at her Kalighat residence on Friday evening and conducted necessary check-ups on her. "Our doctors may conduct another round of check-ups on Banerjee today. It's still not decided whether sh

Country's first underwater metro train commences commercial services

Commercial services of the country's first underwater metro train commenced in Kolkata on Friday with hundreds of passengers erupting into jubilation on their first ride. A train began its journey from the Howrah Maidan station on the East-West metro corridor of Kolkata at 7 am with loud cheers and claps from commuters, while another started from Esplanade station at the same time. Hundreds of commuters thronged the stations in the early morning to be part of the "first-day first underwater metro" bandwagon. At Howrah Maidan station, passengers were seen standing in a long queue in the morning to get a ticket, while the authorities greeted them with rose stems at Esplanade station. There was excitement among the passengers while a section of commuters at the Howrah Maidan station started chanting 'Jai Sri Ram' slogan as they boarded the train. The commercial services began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on March 6 inaugurated the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata

CM Mamata Banerjee's health condition stable, doctors keeping close watch

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's health condition is "stable", a senior official of the state administration said on Friday. The 69-year-old Banerjee, who suffered a major injury on her forehead and nose during a fall inside her Kalighat residence in South Kolkata on Thursday evening, also "slept well", he said. "The CM's health condition is stable. She had a good sleep in the night as senior doctors kept a close watch on her throughout the period. This morning there will be another assessment of her condition," the official told PTI on Friday morning. The Bengal CM underwent three stitches on her forehead and one on her nose and was discharged following necessary medical tests at the hospital. "She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut on her forehead and nose which was bleeding profusely. Initially, she was assessed by senior doctors of the neurosurgery, medicine, and cardiology departments of our institute and her vitals were stabilised. Three stitches were .

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee suffers injury on forehead, admitted to hospital

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday evening suffered injuries on her forehead and was admitted to a hospital, the TMC said. Our chairperson @MamataOfficial sustained a major injury. Please keep her in your prayers, the party posted on X along with pictures of Banerjee bleeding from her forehead. According to sources, she was admitted to the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. The details of how she received the injury are still awaited.

TMC's lone LS battle: Navigating internal challenges to thwart BJP's march

Three years after its historic victory halting the BJP's advance in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), plagued by corruption allegations and internal power struggle and having withdrawn from the INDIA bloc in the state, is now engaged in a solitary battle to counter the saffron party's momentum and uphold party unity. With the BJP setting its sights on winning over 35 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, the TMC faces the daunting task of regaining the seats it lost to the BJP in 2019. This strategic objective involves not only reducing the saffron camp's tally but also maximising the TMC's parliamentary representation. By doing so, the party aims to bolster its negotiating power in potential opposition alliance governments and strengthen its ability to counter the BJP's potential third consecutive term in power, according to TMC sources. The elections hold significant stakes for TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. A defeat could lead to a wave of defections from her party to th

Betrayed by TMC, will go to BJP: Arjun Singh after being denied LS ticket

Disgruntled TMC leader Arjun Singh on Thursday said he would return to the BJP after he was denied a party ticket from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat which he represents. Singh also claimed that a "top TMC leader" would join the saffron party along with him. Singh had quit the BJP and rejoined TMC after being elected from the seat in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He had earlier quit the Trinamool Congress ahead of the previous Lok Sabha elections. In 2022, he returned to the TMC but did not resign as MP. "When I joined the Trinamool Congress in 2022, I was promised that I would be re-nominated as the TMC's candidate from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat. But the party did not keep its promise and betrayed me. So, I have decided to return to the BJP," he said. The TMC, which announced its candidate list on Sunday, nominated state minister Partha Bhowmick from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat.