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Tag: BJP

  • ‘Suffered injuries after Trinamool workers attacked car in North Bengal’: Dilip Ghosh

    By PTI
    SITALKUCHI/KOLKATA: The BJP’s West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday alleged that he suffered injuries after Trinamool Congress activists attacked his car with bombs and bricks in Cooch Behar district of North Bengal, a charge denied by the ruling party.

    Saffron party workers sat on a dharna outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office in Kolkata demanding action against the culprits.

    Ghosh said that the car’s window glasses including the one on his side were smashed in the attack which took place at Sitalkuchi after a public meeting of his party.

    After breaking the glass, a brick hit him and he received injuries in the left hand, the BJP leader said.

    “If this is the situation, how can one expect free and fair polls in Cooch Behar, where people had voted for change in the 2019 Lok Sabha election,” Ghosh said in a video message.

    Cooch Behar district will go to polls in the fourth phase of assembly elections on April 10.

    The BJP won seven seats in North Bengal, including Cooch Behar, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

    It was alleged that TMC workers returning from a rally of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which was held in another nearby town, got embroiled in a clash with BJP activists attending Ghosh’s meeting.

    “I was waiting in my vehicle after our meeting for the people to leave when we were attacked with firearms, bombs, bricks and sticks by people holding TMC flags. It was like a Talibani attack,” Ghosh said.

    It was alleged that several country-made bombs were hurled at his car.

    He claimed that the police did not act to prevent the attack on him and BJP supporters.

    Ghosh said that if the Election Commission does not take immediate action, polling in constituencies in Cooch Behar will be a “farce”.

    TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that the ruling party was not involved in the attack.

    BJP leaders and workers, led by Lok Sabha MP Saumitra Khan, sat on a dharna in front of a building housing the CEOs office, in central Kolkata.

  • ‘BJP’s CRPF’ harassing people, preventing voters from entering booths, alleges CM Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI
    BANESWAR: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that “BJP’s CRPF” was harassing and killing people besides obstructing voters from entering polling stations in the state at the behest of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    Addressing a rally here in Cooch Behar district, she accused a section of the central force of molesting women and beating people during the ongoing assembly elections.

    Launching a blistering attack on Shah, the TMC surpremo charged him with failing to protect lives of the security personnel in naxal ambush in Sukma and earlier in terrorists attack in Pulwama and instead seeking votes in other states for his party BJP.

    Banerjee facing a stiff challenge from the saffron party in the ongoing Bengal elections appealed to the voters to ensure more than 200 seats for the TMC “or else the BJP will bribe the ‘traitors’ of my party to crossover to their side”.

    Polls are taking place for 294-member Bengal house.

    “The ‘BJP’s CRPF’ is beating women, harassing and killing people. They are obstructing voters from entering polling booths and to cast their votes. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed them to do so.

    “I have never given such orders to the police being the home minister (of West Bengal),” Banerjee said at the rally.

    ALSO READ | BJP to win 63-68 seats in first three phases of polling in Bengal: Amit Shah

    Continuing with her tirade against the cental force, she said “I respect the CRPF. But, I do not have respect for those among them who are working at the behest of the BJP. The CRPF should not obstruct the public from casting their votes.”

    Referring to death of 22 security personnel in naxal attack in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma-Bijapur three days back, she asked what steps have been taken for those who lost their lives? She said that instead of doing anything for those killed in the attack, Shah was asking electors (in different states having elections) to vote for his party.

    “You (Shah) failed to protect lives of your policemen in Pulwama and in Sukma. What has the government done for those killed in Sukna? On one side they are killing people and on another side you are asking voters to cast vote to your party. You should be ashamed of doing so,” she said taking a swipe at the union home minister.

    Claiming that more than 10 people have been killed in the state during the ongoing polls, Banerjee urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that the CRPF personnel play a responsible role and no such killing take place in the forthcoming five phases.

    ALSO READ | I will win Bengal with one leg and Delhi with two: Mamata Banerjee

    “More than 10 people have been murdered. This never happened during my time. We all want peaceful polling so that people can cast their vote. We want peaceful, free and fair elections.

    “The ECI is running the administration. Please see that nobody is murdered and I will also request you to please see that the CRPF, CISF, BSF or ITBP don’t harass the people. Nobody is allowed to harass the people and women,” she said.

    A schoolgirl was allegedly molested by a central force police personnel in Tarakeswar Monday following which the EC had removed him from duty.

    A probe is on in the matter.

    “Several cases of molestation of girls by the central forces personnel have surfaced.

    Why are they (central forces) molesting girls? Complaints have been lodged and I will request you (EC) to please take care of that also,” she said.

    Referring to Tuesday’s incident when party’s Arambagh candidate Sujata Mondal was chased in an open field by people wielding bamboo sticks and iron rods and then hitting her on the head with sticks, the CM alleged that some senior police officers have entered into an “understanding” (with the BJP).

    She said activities of such policemen were under the scanner.

    “Lower-rank policemen have nothing to do. It’s those in the higher ranks who have entered into an understanding with them. I have realised this during yesterday’s polling in Arambagh (where party candidate Sujata Mondal was allegedly attacked).

    “I have also noticed role of Officer-in-charge of Arambagh police station. We are keeping an eye on such things,” she said.

    Five candidates, including two women, were assaulted, while clashes between rival political groups erupted during the third phase of polling in the state on Tuesday.

    Cautioning the voters not to trust the policemen, Banerjee advised them to put up resistance in groups if prevented by the CRPF from going to polling stations to cast their votes.

    “Do not trust the police because during the elections they have been influenced by the BJP.

    If needed form groups and gheraoe them and keep them busy in talking, while others will quickly go and cast their votes,” she suggested.

    “I will win wherever I contest from. But, you (voters) will have to ensure we get over 200 seats to protect democracy, or the BJP will use their money power to buy traitors,” she said.

    Earlier, speaking in the same rally, urging voters to vote for party candidate Binay Krishna Barman in Cooch Behar Uttar (SC) constituency, Banerjee hit out at the BJP, stating they were befooling people in the name of implementing Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) and National Registers of Citizens (NRC).

    She alleged that if the BJP is voted to power in Bengal they will put people in detention camps like the 14 lakh Bengalis in Assam.

    “All these promises of the BJP are false. They will never implement them. And if you vote for you will be put in detention camps like the 14 lakh Bengalis in Assam,” she said.

    The CM further accused the BJP of spreading misinformation about raising a Narayani Sena central paramilitary force after the polls citing an unverified RTI reply by the Centre.

    The demand for Narayani Sena has been a long-standing demand of the Rajbanshi community in north Bengal.

  • Was cornered in TMC for resisting cut money culture: BJP leader Rajib Banerjee

    Banerjee, 51, who switched over to the saffron camp in January, is vying for a third term from the Domjur constituency, where he has won twice as a TMC candidate since 2011.

  • BJP to win 63-68 seats in first three phases of polling in Bengal: Amit Shah

    By PTI
    DOMJUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the BJP is confident of winning 63 to 68 seats in the first three phases of elections held in West Bengal so far.

    Polling has been completed in 91 of the 294 assembly seats in the state, which will see five more phases of elections.

    ALSO READ | Bengal assembly elections: Amit Shah holds roadshow in Singur, assures industrialisation

    “The Bharatiya Janata Party estimates that it will surely win 63 to 68 seats in the first three phases of elections and gain a huge lead over the Trinamool Congress, Communists and the Congress,” Shah said.

    The saffron party will also gain leads in the rest of the phases and cross the target of winning 200 seats, he told reporters after having lunch at a local BJP supporter’s modest home here in Howrah district.

  • Bengal assembly elections: Amit Shah holds roadshow in Singur, assures industrialisation

    By PTI
    SINGUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a colourful roadshow here on Wednesday, once a hot spot of the anti-land acquisition movement, and promised rapid industrialisation of the area if BJP is voted to power.

    The symbolism of the home minister holding a roadshow in Singur, three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally there and alleged the “obstructionist mindset” of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee deprived West Bengal of industries and jobs, was clear–the BJP wants to corner her over the state’s dwindling industrial base and alleged job loss.

    Lustily cheered by crowds, Shah stood atop a decorated vehicle with BJP candidate for the Singur seat Rabindranath Bhattacharya, who recently joined the saffron party after leaving the Trinamool Congress, and smilingly waved at people standing by the roadside and on terraces and balconies.

    Speaking to reporters during the show, Shah said Singur, which has been shunned by industry since the 2006 agitation, will be developed by the next BJP government in the state.

    ALSO READ | TMC leaders swindled all central aid for Bengal: Yogi Adityanath

    “We will develop the area by setting up industries and a Rs 500 crore intervention fund has been announced for potatoes, for which the area is known, in our Sankalp Patra (manifesto),” he said.

    Shah said, after winning the elections, the BJP government will ensure that small, medium and large industries are set up in Singur, situated beside the national highway connecting Kolkata and New Delhi.

    “We will pursue politics of development, dialogue and cooperation, instead of confrontation,” he said.

    He said he welcomed TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee for invoking Hindu Gods and Goddesses, and for reciting Chandi Path (hymns to Goddess Durga) at public meetings, but quipped it was “too late for her”.

    “The BJP will win Bengal elections with more than 200 seats in the kitty,” he said.

    West Bengal has 294 assembly seats.

    Banerjee, often accused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders of minority appeasement, has been regularly chanting hymns and asserting her Hindu identity to keep the majority community in good humour.

    ALSO READ | Mamata heaping abuse on me as she is frustrated over TMC’s impending defeat, says PM Modi

    The roadshow meandered through the roads of Singur town for nearly an hour from Dulepara more to Singur police station, as colourful posters, BJP flags and green and saffron balloons dotted route.

    Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and slogans demanding industrialisation and jobs pervaded the air as the procession crawled through streets.

    Donning a saffron-coloured turban, the 89-year-old Bhattacharya, a four-time TMC MLA from Singur before he left the party on being denied a ticket, waved at the crowd standing alongside Shah.

    Bhattacharya’s induction and nomination had caused a lot of resentment among BJP old-timers in Singur.

    Shah is scheduled to hold three more roadshows in the state, including one in Kolkata, on Wednesday.

    Referring to the Singur movement of 2006-08 that forced Tata Motors to move out its proposed small car Nano’s mother production unit from there, Modi had told an election meeting that the TMC used the place for political purpose and then left the people to fend for themselves.

    Singur, a small town in Hooghly district, has an old connection between Banerjee and Modi.

    The scene of an aggressive movement led by Banerjee against forcible land acquisition by the then Left Front government for the ‘Nano’ project, Singur, along with Nandigram, had catapulted the street fighter TMC leader to power in West Bengal in 2011.

    The sustained, and often violent, protests by the local farming community led by Banerjee forced the Tatas to move out of Singur.

    A cryptic ‘Suswagatam’ SMS from Modi, then the Gujarat chief minister, to Ratan Tata, the group chairman, is said to have clinched the deal in Gujarat’s favour and led to the relocation of the project to Sanand near Ahmedabad.

    Many considered it as West Bengal’s loss and Gujarat’s gain.

  • Uttar Pradesh BJP leader resigns in support of farmers’ agitation over agri laws

    By PTI
    MUZAFFARNAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Priyamvada Tomar resigned from the party on Wednesday in support of the farmers agitation.

    She also resigned as member of the Uttar Pradesh Women Commission ahead of the panchayat polls in the state.

    In her resignation letter to state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh, she alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the state had been neglecting the demands of the farmers regarding the new farm laws despite their protests, which have been going on for over four months.

    Tomar further said she took this decision due to BJP’s “anti-farmer” policy.

    “The BJP has neglected women in Uttar Pradesh and failed to fulfil their wishes,” she told PTI.

  • Bengal Polls: Stones ‘pelted’ at Shahnawaz Hussain in Howrah, Trinamool denies charges

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain alleged that stones were pelted at him in Howrah on Tuesday night when he was campaigning for the West Bengal assembly election.

    The BJP leader posted on social media a video in which he was seen showing two stones to the officer on duty and blaming the TMC for the alleged incident.

    “TMC workers pelted stones on me while I was addressing a meeting at Muzzafar Chowk,” Hussain tweeted, saying he was safe and the party workers had lodged a complaint.

    “It’s clear that TMC knew it is losing and hence is becoming desperate,” Hussain said.

    “I myself went to the Golabari Police Station & asked them why police personnel were not deployed according to my Y + CRPF cover security protocol. Strangely, they had no answers for that.”

    In his complaint, Umesh Rai, the BJP candidate from Howrah North, named few persons behind the attack, alleging they were all known TMC men in the area.

    Police confirmed the lodging of the FIR and visit of Hussain to the station, adding that the alleged incident was being investigated.

    The TMC denied any involvement of its workers and said the BJP was staging a “drama” to get attention as the roadshows and meetings of the saffron party were “failing” to draw crowds.

    Earlier on Sunday, a roadshow attended by Hussain and Domjur assembly candidate Rajib Banerjee was stopped by police at Bankra area on the ground that there was no earlier permission.

    Both Banerjee and Hussain had protested the action of police.

    Action will be taken against those who were involved in assault on candidates in some constituencies during the third phase of assembly elections in West Bengal on Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab said.

    Aftab said his office has received a total of 1,802 complaints during the day and arrested 11 people for their alleged involvement in the attacks on candidates.

    “Polling was more less peaceful barring some sporadic violence. There have been some incidents of assault on candidates and we have sought reports. Action will be taken against those who are found guilty,” he said.

    In the third of the eight-phase elections, 31 constituencies went to polls in three districts Howrah (Part 1), Hooghly (Part 1) and South 24 Parganas (Part 2).

    The Election Commission has also suspended four officials in connection with the recovery of three Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and four Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) from the house of an alleged TMC leader in Tulsiberia in Uluberia Uttar (SC) assembly constituency, the CEO said.

    He said three home guards who were on duty there have been demobilised.

    Though the seals of the EVMs and VVPATs were “intact”, the machines will not be used any further, he said.

    Referring to the assault on Trinamool Congress candidates Sujata Mondal, Nimal Maji and Najmul Karim as well as BJP candidates Papiya Adhikary and Swapan Dasgupta, Aftab said, “Necessary and prompt action have been taken and investigation is underway”.

    ADG (Law and Order) Jag Mohan said video footages are being probed and those found guilty will be treated as per the law.

    Asked whether the EC has received any complaint regarding sexual assault of a Class 10 student allegedly by a central force personnel in Tarekswar late on Monday, the CEO said an FIR has been lodged and a probe initiated.

    “The personnel has been immediately removed from the posting,” he added.

    The poll panel on Tuesday also removed returning officers in eight constituencies of Kolkata to conform to regulations.

    Aftab said West Bengal registered at least 77.68 per cent voters’ turnout till 5 pm on Tuesday.

    Voting in 16 seats in South 24 Parganas district (part II), saw 76.68 per cent votes being cast by 5 pm.

    While 77.93 per cent votes were cast in seven seats in Howrah (part I) and 79.36 per cent in eight in Hooghly (part I), they added.

    “Voter turnout of 77. 68 per cent was recorded till 5 pm in 31 seats,” an EC official said.

    Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, however, alleged “blatant misuse” of central forces to “influence voters”.

    “The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator, while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters and influence many to vote in favour of one party,” she tweeted.

    Police arrested five persons — three members of the TMC and two of the BJP — for their alleged involvement in assaulting TMC candidate Sujata Mondal in Arambagh earlier on Tuesday, an officer said.

    Television grabs showed the TMC leader being chased in an open field by people wielding sticks and iron rods and then hitting on the head with sticks.

    Her security officer was also injured.

    The TMC claimed that BJP “goons” didn’t allow the party’s agents inside the polling stations.

    The BJP, on the other hand, accused Sujata of entering the area with TMC “goons” and creating unrest by threatening people.

    Police also said they had launched a search for those who assaulted BJP candidate from Uluberia (Dakshin) assembly seat Papiya Adhikary when she went to Uluberia hospital to call on an injured party candidate.

    The attacks were part of a series of clashes which were reported from several parts of Bengal, where polling is underway in the third phase of assembly elections.

    BJP candidate for Tarakeshwar Swapan Dasgupta was also allegedly abused by TMC supporters while going on a round of polling stations, party sources said.

    TMC candidate Dr Nirmal Maji claimed that he was “heckled” by BJP supporters and his vehicle vandalised when he tried visiting a booth in Uluberia (Uttar) constituency.

    In Khanakul, TMC candidate Najmul Karim was allegedly beaten up by the BJP activists and slogans were raised against him.

    Later, central forces rescued him from the area.

    In Falta, a BJP candidate’s vehicle was attacked.

    At least one person was injured when crude bombs were lobbed outside a polling station in the Canning Purba assembly seat.

    TMC candidate Shaukat Mollah accused Abbas Siddiqui-led Indian Secular Front (ISF) of having organized the attack, a charge denied by the party.

    In some of seats in South 24 Parganas, TMC and ISF candidates clashed in some areas, including the Mandirbazar area, where 12 persons were injured.

    TMC turncoat and BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Dipak Haldar, alleged that his former party stalled voters from casting their votes.

    In the Dhanekhali seat, state minister Asima Patra accused central forces of high-handedness and alleged that voters were stopped by BJP “goons” from reaching polling stations, an allegation dismissed by the saffron party.

    A BJP supporter’s family member was allegedly killed in Hooghly district, hours before polling in the area, police said.

    Madhabi Adak succumbed to her injuries sustained while protecting her son from a few men who barged into their house, they said.

    In Durbrajpur, clashes broke out between the BJP activists and the police after the latter tried to recover the body of a saffron party worker found this morning.

    Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab has sought reports from poll personnel on all poll related violence which occurred on Tuesday, officials said.

    Banerjee later, while addressing a rally, claimed BJP activists were forcibly occupying polling booths and attacking TMC members, including party candidates, while asserting that she would not be bogged down by “intimidatory tactics”.

    BJP state president Dilip Ghosh dubbed the allegations as baseless and instead claimed that people had resisted TMC’s efforts to unleash a reign of terror.

    The violence occurred despite the Election Commission imposing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in all constituencies, after declaring them as ‘sensitive’.

  • Maharashtra govt cheated people with strict lockdown: BJP

    Patil said the state government has imposed a strict lockdown under the garb of a quot;mini lockdown quot;.

  • Sporadic violence reported in third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Sporadic incidents of violence were reported on Tuesday in some areas where voting is underway in the third phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, even as the overall situation by and large remained peaceful with 34.71 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.

    They said that voting is underway with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols in 16 seats in South 24 Parganas district (part II), seven in Howrah (part I) and eight in Hooghly (part I). “Voter turnout of 34.71 per cent was recorded till 11 am in 31 seats,” an EC official said.

    Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged “blatant misuse” of central forces to “influence voters”. “The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters & influence many to vote in favour of one party,” she tweeted.

    She shared a screengrab of a scuffle between BJP and TMC supporters in Goghat constituency. TMC turncoat and BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Dipak Haldar alleged that his former party is not allowing voters to come to polling stations. “TMC men are not allowing BJP supporters to come out and vote freely, and unfortunately, the central forces are mute spectators,” he said.

    The ruling party in the state has dubbed the allegations as “baseless”.

    In Dhanekhali seat, state minister Asima Patra accused the central forces of high-handedness and alleged that voters were being stopped from coming to the polling stations by the BJP “goons”, an allegation dismissed by the saffron party.

    In Khanakul, TMC candidate Najmul Karim was allegedly assaulted by the BJP activists and slogans were raised against him. Later, central forces rescued him from the area. In Arambagh, Sujata Mondal Khan accused the BJP of threatening the TMC supporters, an allegation denied by the saffron party.

    Police said that a BJP supporter’s family member was allegedly killed in Hooghly district, hours before the commencement of polling in the area. Madhabi Adak succumbed to her injuries sustained while protecting her son from a few men who barged into their house, they said.

    Adak’s family accused that the TMC was behind the incident, a charge denied by the ruling party. Four EVMs and an equal number of VVPATs were found in the house of a TMC leader in Uluberia Uttar assembly seat in Howrah district, following which a poll official was suspended.

    Long queues were seen outside polling stations, where voting will continue till 6.30 pm. Over 78.5 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 205 candidates, including BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, state minister Ashima Patra and CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly.

    The Election Commission has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in all the constituencies, declaring them as ‘sensitive’.

  • Farmers’ wrath halts BJP poll bandwagon in Punjab and Haryana

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: With less than a year left for the assembly elections in Punjab, the ruling Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Shiromani Akali Dal are already gearing up for the contest.

    However, the BJP is facing severe public backlash in view of the ongoing protest against the farm laws. 

    On Sunday, Union minister Som Parkash had to face the ire of farmers as they tried to stop his vehicle near the BJP district office in Hoshiarpur where he had gone for a meeting with party workers.

    Farmers also waived back flags at the BJP leader.

    Recently, state vice-president Parveen Bansal was gheraoed by farmers in Barnala and had to be shifted to the circuit house for a while.

    Last week, BJP MLA from Abohar Arun Narang was allegedly thrashed and his clothes torn by a group of farmers at Malout in Muktsar district.

    During the civic polls, BJP leaders were not allowed to campaign. Punjab BJP President Ashwani Sharma and former union minister Vijay Sampla faced farmers’ ire at many places including Kapurthala, Moga, Jalandhar, Amritsar. Sharma’s car was attacked near Hoshiarpur.

    Still, the party’s state unit is trying to garner some support via public gatherings.

    “We will be organising two to three programs daily. In May, we will be organising a big rally in either Ludhiana or Jalandhar,” said Dinesh Kumar, organising secretary of Punjab BJP.

    In neighbouring Haryana, protests against the BJP-JJP and Independent MLAs who support the government have intensified.

    CM ML Khattar, Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala, ministers, MLAs and MPs are facing the ire of agitating farmers. Last week, Chautala was not allowed to come out of the airport for two hours.