News Analysis India

Tag: Derek O’Brien

  • ‘Anti-Bengal politics’: TMC cries foul as flight for ‘Dilli Cholo’ protest mysteriously gets cancelled

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  TMC leaders here on Saturday alleged that as a part of the coordinated attack set to create obstacles for Dilli Cholo protest by Trinamool Congress, the airline set to carry over 100 AITC leaders from Bengal was cancelled mysteriously hours before it was supposed to take off to Delhi at the behest of the government.

    Irked at this unprecedented development, the TMC leaders alleged further that the decision comes after a special train slated to carry thousands of people from West Bengal to Delhi for the protest was cancelled by the Railways at the behest of the BJP on Friday.

    Posting a screenshot on X, Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien wrote: “First, they abruptly cancel special train services from Kol to Del to prevent those who were to travel to participate in protests on Oct 2 & 3, demanding 10s of 1000s of crores owed to Bengal by BJP Union govt. Now a flight gets cancelled! Try as you might, we WILL TAKE YOU ON.”

    First, they abruptly cancel special train services from Kol to Del to prevent those who were to travel to participate in protests on Oct 2 & 3, demanding 10s of 1000s of crores owed to Bengal by BJP Union govt.Now a flight gets cancelled! Try as you might, we WILL TAKE YOU ON pic.twitter.com/Bs36wSE7xS
    — Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 30, 2023
    Criticising the constant attempts by the BJP to derail the protest, Lok Sabha MP Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said, “It is astonishing how a flight has been cancelled, which had more than 100 leaders from Barasat travelling to the programme declared by AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee for 2nd and 3rd October in Delhi. I have never seen this in my life that due to a technical glitch a whole flight was cancelled”.

    Accusing the Central government of orchestrating such obstacles, the TMC leaders further alleged that the cancellation of flights for “operational reasons” is only the latest attack on Trinamool’s Dilli Cholo programme. 

    “In the past few days, the protest has had to jump several roadblocks such as denial of permission to hold a demonstration at Krishi Bhavan, Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s refusal to grant AITC an appointment, and an ED summons to AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on the day of protest – October 3,” many TMC leaders said.

    Meanwhile, despite the challenges, Abhishek Banerjee vowed that the protesters will reach Delhi for the October 2 and 3 programme. He also asserted that Bengal will continue to demand that the BJP-led Central government end the fund blockade and release the pending funds, amounting to Rs 1.15 lakh crore, for Bengal.

    “OUTRAGEOUS! After rejecting the request for a special train to Delhi, @BJP4India has now ensured the cancellation of flights that were booked by our leaders. These consecutive vindictive moves clearly suggest the BJP’s ulterior ANTI-BENGAL sentiment. Here’s a note for the BJP-led Central Government: You can try with ALL YOUR MIGHT, but we shall reach the capital and emerge VICTORIOUS in our FIGHT FOR JUSTICE!,” state general secretary of TMC posted on X.

    NEW DELHI:  TMC leaders here on Saturday alleged that as a part of the coordinated attack set to create obstacles for Dilli Cholo protest by Trinamool Congress, the airline set to carry over 100 AITC leaders from Bengal was cancelled mysteriously hours before it was supposed to take off to Delhi at the behest of the government.

    Irked at this unprecedented development, the TMC leaders alleged further that the decision comes after a special train slated to carry thousands of people from West Bengal to Delhi for the protest was cancelled by the Railways at the behest of the BJP on Friday.

    Posting a screenshot on X, Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien wrote: “First, they abruptly cancel special train services from Kol to Del to prevent those who were to travel to participate in protests on Oct 2 & 3, demanding 10s of 1000s of crores owed to Bengal by BJP Union govt. Now a flight gets cancelled! Try as you might, we WILL TAKE YOU ON.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    First, they abruptly cancel special train services from Kol to Del to prevent those who were to travel to participate in protests on Oct 2 & 3, demanding 10s of 1000s of crores owed to Bengal by BJP Union govt.
    Now a flight gets cancelled! Try as you might, we WILL TAKE YOU ON pic.twitter.com/Bs36wSE7xS
    — Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 30, 2023
    Criticising the constant attempts by the BJP to derail the protest, Lok Sabha MP Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said, “It is astonishing how a flight has been cancelled, which had more than 100 leaders from Barasat travelling to the programme declared by AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee for 2nd and 3rd October in Delhi. I have never seen this in my life that due to a technical glitch a whole flight was cancelled”.

    Accusing the Central government of orchestrating such obstacles, the TMC leaders further alleged that the cancellation of flights for “operational reasons” is only the latest attack on Trinamool’s Dilli Cholo programme. 

    “In the past few days, the protest has had to jump several roadblocks such as denial of permission to hold a demonstration at Krishi Bhavan, Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s refusal to grant AITC an appointment, and an ED summons to AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on the day of protest – October 3,” many TMC leaders said.

    Meanwhile, despite the challenges, Abhishek Banerjee vowed that the protesters will reach Delhi for the October 2 and 3 programme. He also asserted that Bengal will continue to demand that the BJP-led Central government end the fund blockade and release the pending funds, amounting to Rs 1.15 lakh crore, for Bengal.

    “OUTRAGEOUS! After rejecting the request for a special train to Delhi, @BJP4India has now ensured the cancellation of flights that were booked by our leaders. These consecutive vindictive moves clearly suggest the BJP’s ulterior ANTI-BENGAL sentiment. Here’s a note for the BJP-led Central Government: You can try with ALL YOUR MIGHT, but we shall reach the capital and emerge VICTORIOUS in our FIGHT FOR JUSTICE!,” state general secretary of TMC posted on X.

  • Note ban was one of the most disastrous decisions in independent India : TMC

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on this day in 2016 announced his decision to ban currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.

  • Bypoll fallout, claims Opposition on slashing of fuel prices

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  While the Opposition termed the decision to cut excise duty on fuel as “too little, too late” and linked it to the BJP’s reverses in the recent bypolls, the Centre sought to put them on the mat, saying Opposition-ruled states will now have to walk the talk on slashing VAT if they really care for the poor. While the Centre takes the excise duty call, VAT is in the domain of state governments. 

    The Congress complimented the people for showing the mirror of truth to the ‘tax-parasitic’ government.

    “In 2021, price of petrol was hiked by Rs 28 and diesel by Rs 26 a litre. After losing 14 by-elections and 2 Lok Sabhas, reducing petrol-diesel price by Rs 5 & Rs 10 is tom-tommed as ‘Diwali Gift’,” Congress spokesperson Surjewala said.

    The Trinamool Congress was equally dismissive.

    “After months of causing hardship and pain to millions, excise duty on petrol and diesel was tweaked by stunt masters M&S,” tweeted Trinamool leader Derek O’Brien.

    Left parties said the Centre was treating fuel price as a source of revenue generation.

    “Bypoll results clearly indicated popular mood against Modi and his government. Farmers have been agitating for several months and they have no concerns,” said CPI general secretary D Raja.

    Government sources, however, claimed Opposition-ruled states will now be under pressure.

    “Delhi levies 30% VAT on petrol; Mumbai 26% plus Rs 10.12 per litre; Kolkata 25% or Rs 13.12 a litre, whichever is higher; Hyderabad 35.20%; and Rajasthan 36%. Compare that to 20% in BJP-ruled Gujarat,” they said.

  • Assam-Mizoram clash: ‘All eyes on Amit Shah who visited northeast few days back,’ says Derek O’Brien

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Attacking the central government over the border clashes between Assam and Mizoram, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien on Tuesday said all eyes are on the Union Home Minister Amit Shah who was in the northeast a few days ago.

    “All eyes on the Home Minister, who was in the North-east a few days ago. His incompetence being exposed one day at a time,” tweeted O’Brien.

    He also retweeted TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s tweet targeting the Bharatiya Janta Party over the issue.

    “Shocked and Stunned to hear about the ruthless violence that has transpired at the Assam-Mizoram Border. My condolences to the bereaved families. Such unremitting incidents under BJPs watch have invited the death of democracy in our nation. INDIA DESERVES BETTER,” tweeted Banerjee.

    The border clash between the two states claimed five lives while many police personnel and a few locals have also been injured in the clashes, said reports.

    In view of border tensions with Mizoram, the Assam government on Monday urged the neighbouring state to restrain its “people and Police personnel” from indulging in “wanton violence” and work towards restoring peace.

    “It is with a heavy heart that we are constrained to note that what is being termed by the Mizoram side as an intrusion and aggression by Assam has left 5 Assam Police personnel confirmed dead (6 as per initial reports, which is being confirmed) and more than 50 injured, including SP Cachar Vaibhav Nimbalkar, who has a bullet embedded in his leg and is in the ICU,” said the Assam government.