News Analysis India

Tag: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

  • Eleventh hour invite keeps Mamata away as Smriti Irani inaugurates Sealdah metro station

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Amid controversy over the way Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was invited for the event, the Sealdah metro railway station of the East-West Metro corridor was inaugurated by Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday. Sources at the Nabanna, the state secretariat, said the invitation to the CM was received but she will be travelling to north Bengal on Monday but the Trinamool Congress, slammed the BJP government at the Centre, alleging that the CM was invited at the eleventh hour following mounting public criticism.

    ‘’This is nothing but last-minute realisation by the Metro on its mistake in the face of mounting public criticism They knew the CM’s plan to visit north Bengal, but still thy organised the event so that she is not available,’’ alleged TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy. TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhyay and TMC MLA Paresh Pal were invited to the event.

    With the inauguration of the new facility, Sealdah has been connected with the IT hub in Sector V, Salt Lake. The services will be available for common people from July 15.

    The BJP alleged the TMC unnecessarily is raising hue and cry knowing well that the CM was invited and sometimes, such incitation process takes time. ‘’None of our elected representatives in the Parliament and in the Bengal Assembly get invitations from the state government to attend official events. The TMC should hold a mirror to itself,’’ said BJP’s national vice-president Dilip Ghosh

  • Mamata demands centre to allow CBI to function independently

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the central agencies should be given autonomy for their impartial role and to protect democracy.

    Hitting out at the Narendra Modi-led Union government for using central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to interfere in the affairs of the states, Mamata said, ‘’The BJP government is bulldozing federal structure of India and interfering into state’s affairs using central agencies. These agencies should be given autonomy. The Centre will pay for the salary of the employees working in the central agencies but the law enforcement wings should be allowed to work freely. It would be possible only if these agencies are allowed to function independently,’’ she said at the state secretariat.

    The ED has already interrogated her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and his wife in connection with a money laundering case linked to coal pilferage.

    The CBI is presently conducting a probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group C and Group D staff in schools through the School Service Commission (SSC). The agency interrogated former education minister Partha Chatterjee last week and he has been summoned again this week.

    Criticising the Centre, Mamata said the BJP’s rule is worse than that of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mussolini. She also called the Centre’s latest price cut on fuel and subsidy on cooking gas prices under the Ujjawala scheme an election stunt stating that only a small number of people belonging to the below poverty level category would be able to avail the benefit.

  • ECI has not denied Mamata’s injury, says Mallikarjun Kharge

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ruled out the conspiracy against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but has not denied her injury.

    “ECI has ruled out the conspiracy against Mamata Banerjee but has not denied her leg injury. The BJP should at least trust their agency,” said Kharge.

    “There must have a police lap that the election commission has mentioned. Shah and Modi always create a scene over everything but I believe politics should not be done in this matter,” he added.

    He also mentioned that, by privatising the banks, the government is systematically getting away with the arrangement of reservation given to SC, ST and OBCs.

    While talking about COVID-19 precautions, Kharge said, “We are taking preventive measures to avoid COVID-19 but the leaders of this country, Modi ji and Amit ji, are holding large gatherings in West Bengal. This reflects their alertness for the situation.”

    The Election Commission on Sunday said that the injury caused to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram was not a result of an “attack”, as per the findings of the state’s Observers and Chief Secretary. The official source of the poll body said that there is no evidence of an attack carried out on Banerjee.

    Mamata Banerjee, was on a two-day visit to Nandigram from where she filed her nomination, alleged that she was pushed by a few unidentified people during election campaigning.

    She had sustained “severe bone injuries” on her left foot and ankle as well as bruises and injuries on her shoulder, forearm and neck, according to the report of her initial medical examination.

    Elections to the 294-member assembly will be held from March 27 to April 29. Results will be declared on May 2.