Tag: Mamata Banerjee

  • No question of post-poll tie-up with Mamata Banerjee: Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury ruled out the possibility of extending support to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC or seeking her support in case the high-octane assembly elections throw up a fractured mandate.

    Accusing the chief minister of trying to communalise the elections, Chowdhury said that the TMC and the BJP might join hands if both the parties fall short of the requisite numbers to form the government.

    “BJP and communal politics have found a foothold in West Bengal because of Mamata Banerjee. There is no question of supporting the TMC in a post-poll scenario if it falls short of a majority.

    “Similarly, there are zero chances of the Congress- Left-ISF Sanjukta Morcha or United Front alliance seeking her support to form the government. There is no possibility of any post-poll tie-up with the TMC,” Chowdhury told PTI in an interview.

    When asked whether the Congress and Left’s refusal to extend support to the TMC will help the BJP, the two-time state Congress chief said, “In such a scenario, you will see the TMC and the BJP joining hands to form the government.”

    “Just like old wine tastes better, old friends are also trustworthy. The TMC and the BJP, who were earlier alliance partners, will join hands. They are like two sides of a coin,” he said.

    Chowdhury, however, mocked Banerjee for “surrendering” before Congress president Sonia Gandhi through her letter seeking the support of all the opposition parties.

    “Mamata Banerjee had deliberately destroyed the Congress in West Bengal in the last 10 years despite the grand old party helping her come to power. Now see the irony, she has become so nervous that she surrendered before the same Congress, which she tried to finish off politically,” he said.

    The TMC had joined hands with the Congress to oust the Left Front from power in 2011.

    However, the alliance fell apart after coming to power.

    “The Congress leadership is well aware of the political character of the TMC. Earlier the TMC had called the Congress a spent force, but now it is begging before us,” he said.

    Terming Banerjee the “biggest and most-trusted ally” of RSS-BJP, Chowdhury said her party lacks the credibility as an anti-BJP force and time has come to bid farewell to TMC’s “misrule”.

    “Sanjukta Morcha is fighting the elections to win it and form the next government. We are not here to play second fiddle to anyone. The credibility of the TMC as an anti-BJP force is completely zero. The BJP, on the other hand, is inducting corrupt leaders and is a communal force,” he said.

    Expressing happiness over the “massive response” that the Sanjukta Morcha is getting during campaigning, Chowdhury said that despite efforts of the TMC and the BJP, a triangular contest is being witnessed in the elections and not a bipolar one, as expected by the two parties.

    He accused both the TMC and BJP of taking West Bengal’s political discourse to an “all-time low” through a “vitriolic and communal” campaign.

    “I have been in politics for a long time. I have never seen the political discourse stooping to such a low level. Such kind of vitriolic and communal campaign by both the TMC and the BJP is against the culture and ethos of West Bengal. Personal attacks are unacceptable,” he said.

    Accusing the TMC of fuelling identity and appeasement politics, Chowdhury said that Banerjee, through her comments that Muslims should vote en masse for her party “is not only communal but also a reflection of her frustration”.

    “She has been doing this for the last 10 years. I fail to understand how a chief minister can make such a comment that goes against the principles of our Constitution. It is shameful and distasteful,” he said, referring to Banerjee’s comments at a recent election rally that prompted the Election Commission to issue her a notice.

    Chowdhury, the five-time MP from the Berhampore Lok Sabha seat, claimed that the Sanjukta Morcha is fighting the elections to bring the state out of the “dark days” of the TMC rule and take it to a “new era of development”.

    He dismissed allegations both from within and outside that the Congress and Left Front have compromised with communalism by allying with Abbas Siddiqui’s Indian Secular Front (ISF).

    “The ISF has publicly stated its policies and principles, and it is no way a communal force. It is a secular party just like ours, and all of us are fighting to save West Bengal from the communal onslaught,” he said.

    He said the alliance has been stitched well and possibilities of “friendly fights” in some seats are only “exceptions”.

    “Only in one seat, we are having a friendly fight with the Left. In some seats allotted to us, the ISF has expressed the desire to contest the polls. Nothing has been decided yet,” he said.

    Elections for the 294 assembly seats in West Bengal are being held in eight phases.

    The votes will be counted on May 2.

  • PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee Ask People To Vote In Record Numbers Amid Phase-4 Bengal Polling

    Minutes after polling started for West Bengal state polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an attraction to eligible voters to step out and train their democratic proper. Polling started at 7 AM for the 44 seats within the state as a part of part Four of the eight-phased meeting elections. 

    More than 370 candidates, together with film stars, MPs and even a cricketer, are on the ticket in 44 constituencies unfold over Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts in north Bengal and components of South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hoogly within the state’s south.

    Singer-turned-minister Babul Supriyo will tackle sitting MLA Arup Biswas at Tollygunge, recognized to be the guts of the Bengali movie business within the southern a part of Kolkata.

    Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, who can also be the Trinamool’s secretary-general, will tackle movie actor Srabanti Chatterjee of the BJP in Behala West seat to return to the meeting for the fourth successive time period.

    Another actor Payel Sarkar is operating from Behala East for the BJP whereas cricketer Manoj Tiwari is batting for the Trinamool from Howrah North.

    Also within the race is Trinamool defector Rajib Banerjee, a former minister of the Mamata Banerjee cupboard, who will contest from Domjur in Howrah district on a BJP ticket. He together with fellow turncoat Suvendu Adhikari has been the main focus of stinging assaults by Mamata Banerjee who known as them “gaddars” (traitors) and Mir Jafar and attacked them in virtually each election assembly.

    A complete of 1.15 crore folks, together with 290 members of the third gender, are eligible to vote on this part.

    The Election Commission has posted round 80,000 personnel from the central armed police drive (CAPF) to protect practically 16,000 polling stations.

  • EC issues second notice, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says don’t care

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI/KOLKATA:  West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has been asked to explain comments during her election campaign, where she allegedly accused central security forces of working under instructions of Home Minister Amit Shah. She has been asked to reply by 11 am Saturday. This is the second notice to Mamata in the last few of days.

    On Wednesday, EC had issued her a notice over alleged appeal for votes along communal lines, saying it was in violation of the model code and the Representation of the People Act. The EC took strong objection of Mamata’s comments while sending the second notice.

    It said her remarks were “prima facie, completely false, provocative and intemperate statements… (It) attempts to berate and vilify central paramilitary forces during electoral process are causing extreme demoralisation amongst ranks and file of these forces, who have been rendering a yeoman’s service since late 80s elections after elections and have made a commendable contribution, especially in ensuring area domination and causing deterrence for anti-social hooligans by their presence,” the notice read.

    On a campaign trail at Jamalpur in Bardhaman district, Mamata repeated her accusation. “I will continue speaking about CPRF until they stop working for BJP. Once they stop doing that, I will salute them. I do not care about your (EC’s) showcause letters. You are working at the behest of BJP. I wonder why there is no violation when the PM campaigns on polling days.”

    Shah vs Mamata

    Campaigning in Kolkata, Shah hit back at the TMC chief. He said Mamata’s comments against central forces betrayed frustration over her impending defeat.

    “TMC’s frustration is evident from her speeches. I have never seen a chief minister or the president of a political party use the kind of words Mamata Banerjee is using against central forces. Is she trying to create anarchy? She should know that central forces do not function under the home ministry during elections. They function under the Election Commission,” Shah said.

    Mamata was relentless. Speaking at another rally, she claimed that Shah was trying to spark a riot in the state.

    “I have not seen such a gunda, dangabaaz (rioteer) home minister in my life. Shah is more dangerous than a tiger. People fear to talk to him. I will urge Narendra Modi to control Shah first. He is inciting riots here.”

  • Mamata Banerjee alleges Amit Shah trying to incite violence in West Bengal

    By PTI
    JAMALPUR/MEMARI/BARDHAMAN: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged Home Minister Amit Shah was trying to incite violence in the state and egging the police to engage in unethical acts.

    Alleging that Shah was behind the attack on the TMC candidate of Mathabhanga seat as the BJP will lose the election, the Trinamool Congress supremo claimed that he will plan to kill her for speaking these in public.

    “I have not seen such a ‘gunda’ (gangster), ‘dangabaaz’ (rioteer) home minister in my entire life. Amit Shah is more dangerous than a tiger. People fear to talk to him.

    I will urge PM Narendra Modi to control Amit Shah first. He is inciting riots here,” Banerjee said while addressing a rally in Memari in Purba Bardhaman district.

    Accusing Shah of pressuring police to “engage in all forms of unethical acts”, she described the ongoing assembly elections in the state, as a bid “to protect the respect of Bengal”.

    Banerjee had earlier accused the central police forces of working at the behest of Shah following which the Election Commission of India (ECI) show-caused her.

    “This election is to stop people from turning Bengal into another Gujarat. This election is to protect the women, mothers and sisters of Bengal, to protect the youths of our land,” she said.

    She charged the Union home minister with planning the attack on Girindra Nath Barman, the TMC nominee for the Mathabhanga seat in North Bengal.

    “Amit Shah has planned this attack. He is trying to incite riot so that law and order here (Bengal) is compromised. They (BJP) are doing this because they are losing the elections.

    “I know that you will plan to kill me because I am speaking all these. You have injured my foot and you will plan to kill me. But I do not care. I will live life like a tigress till the last day of my life,” she said.

    Banerjee suffered a foot injury after a fall while campaigning in her constituency Nandigram on March 10. Since then, she is seeking votes for her party sitting on a wheelchair.

    The TMC supremo has been alleging that her injury was the result of a conspiracy hatched by the BJP.

    However, the Election Commission has concluded that it was an accident and not a planned attack.

    Reacting to the notice served on her by the ECI for her comments over central forces intimidating voters, she said at a rally in Jamalpur that she would continue speaking about CRPF interference till it stops working for the BJP.

    “I do not care anything about your (ECI’s) showcause letters,” the TMC supremo said.

    Claiming that the ECI is working at the behest of the BJP, Banerjee said that the prime minister campaigns on polling days, yet there is no ruling that he has violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

    She said that she is campaigning on election days because the prime minister is doing so.

    “Why are you (PM) having ‘Pariksha pe charcha’ in West Bengal where assembly elections are being held? Is it not a violation of the MCC?” she asked.

    Banerjee also alleged that senior police officers were “purchased” and they are working for the BJP and asking people to vote for the saffron party.

  • Bengal polls: EC issues notice to Mamata again, this time over remarks on central forces

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: The Election Commission on Friday served second notice on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her statement against central police personnel deployed in the state on election duty. 

    The Commission asked Mamata to reply by Saturday.

    Two days ago, the CM was served the first notice for urging the Muslim electorates not to split their vote bank.

    In the notice, the Commission said Mamata Banerjee prima facie violated various sections of the Indian Penal Code with her remarks against the central force. “Prima facie, the completely false, provocative, and intemperate statements attempted to berate and vilify central paramilitary forces during the election process,” the notice said.

    While addressing rallies, Mamata Banerjee, on several occasions, hit out at central force alleging it was working at the behest of the BJP and threatening people to either cast votes in favour of the saffron camp or stop going to the polling booth.

    ALSO READ | West Bengal polls: BJP candidate’s convoy attacked in Howrah

    The Trinamool Congress supremo, who addressed four back-to-back rallies on Friday, asked why no complaint has been registered against BJP’s star campaigners and Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite their references to Hindu and Muslim vote banks in his speeches.

    “Why no complaint has been filed against Narendra Modi who talk about Hindu and Muslim (vote bank) every day. How many complaints have been lodged against those who had uttered the word mini Pakistan during the Nandigram campaigns?” Mamata asked.

    BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, who contested against Mamata in Nandigram, uttered the phrase ‘mini Pakistan’ in his speech while accusing the CM of practising appeasement politics.

    Mamata said she will continue criticising CRPF’s interference till it stops working for the BJP.

    Referring to Commission’s first notice, Mamata had on Thursday said the EC can issue 10 notices to her but her reply will be the same.

  • Bengal polls: Is Mamata pushing people towards anarchy, asks Shah

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: Hitting out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on the Central Forces, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday questioned whether she was pushing people towards anarchy.

    Addressing media persons, Shah said, “When CAPF is deployed for poll duty, it does not come under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry. It comes under the Election Commission. The frustration of TMC is very much evident from their action and speeches. I have not seen such a leader or chief minister in my life who give statements to ‘gherao CRPF’. Is she pushing the people towards anarchy? I do not understand.”

    “The way TMC has appealed to minority voters to come together and vote for the TMC indicates that their minority vote bank is also slipping away,” added Shah.

    He furthers said, “In the three phases, BJP has got unprecedented support from the people of Bengal. As per our estimation, BJP will win between 63 to 68 seats in the three phases.”

    Shah is holding a door-to-door campaign for BJP in Kolkata’s Bhowanipur today. Bhowanipur has been represented by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. However, Banerjee chose Nandigram to contest the assembly polls this year.

    Amit Shah will also hold roadshows in Madhyamgram and Jagatdal on Friday.

    The first three phases of the eight-phased West Bengal polls have already taken place. The fourth phase of the elections will be held on Saturday. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.  

  • EC issues notice to Mamata, seeks explanation on statements against Central forces

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: The Election Commission issued a notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asking her to explain her stand by April 10 regarding her statements against Central forces on March 28 and April 7. This is the second notice issued to her by the Election Commission.

    Banerjee had alleged that the Central forces favoured the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the polling in the first and second phase of West Bengal assembly elections.

    On Wednesday, EC had issued another notice to Mamata Banerjee over her remarks on April 3, where she appealed to the Muslim voters to not let their vote be split among different political parties contesting in the ongoing assembly elections.

    The Commission asked the Chief Minister to explain her stand within 48 hours after receiving the notice, failing which it shall “take a decision without further reference to you”.

    Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee challenged the EC on Thursday saying if she was served 10 of such notices, she would keep urging voters to vote unitedly against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Speaking at a public rally in Domjur, Banerjee said, “Even if 10 show cause notices are issued against me, my answer will remain the same. I am telling everyone to vote unitedly, there will no division. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, do not give a single vote to them.

    The first three phases of the eight-phased West Bengal polls have already taken place. The fourth phase of the elections will be held on Saturday. Counting of the votes will take place on May 2.

  • Bengal polls: EC issues notice to Mamata again, this time over remarks on central forces

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: The Election Commission on Friday served second notice on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her statement against central police personnel deployed in the state on election duty. 

    The Commission asked Mamata to reply by Saturday.

    Two days ago, the CM was served the first notice for urging the Muslim electorates not to split their vote bank.

    In the notice, the Commission said Mamata Banerjee prima facie violated various sections of the Indian Penal Code with her remarks against the central force. “Prima facie, the completely false, provocative, and intemperate statements attempted to berate and vilify central paramilitary forces during the election process,” the notice said.

    While addressing rallies, Mamata Banerjee, on several occasions, hit out at central force alleging it was working at the behest of the BJP and threatening people to either cast votes in favour of the saffron camp or stop going to the polling booth.

    ALSO READ | West Bengal polls: BJP candidate’s convoy attacked in Howrah

    The Trinamool Congress supremo, who addressed four back-to-back rallies on Friday, asked why no complaint has been registered against BJP’s star campaigners and Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite their references to Hindu and Muslim vote banks in his speeches.

    “Why no complaint has been filed against Narendra Modi who talk about Hindu and Muslim (vote bank) every day. How many complaints have been lodged against those who had uttered the word mini Pakistan during the Nandigram campaigns?” Mamata asked.

    BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, who contested against Mamata in Nandigram, uttered the phrase ‘mini Pakistan’ in his speech while accusing the CM of practising appeasement politics.

    Mamata said she will continue criticising CRPF’s interference till it stops working for the BJP.

    Referring to Commission’s first notice, Mamata had on Thursday said the EC can issue 10 notices to her but her reply will be the same.

  • ‘Won’t change my stance against communal division of votes’: Mamata replies to EC

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA:  Mamata Banerjee has replied to the Election Commission’s notice the way she can.

    Asked to show cause for violating the model code of conduct by allegedly asking the Muslim community to vote en bloc for TMC in the Assembly elections, the West Bengal chief minister said the EC can serve as many notices it wants.

    She will continue to raise her voice against any attempt to divide voters on communal lines.

    The poll panel had on Wednesday issued a notice to Banerjee for violating the model code of conduct, after she allegedly urged the Muslim community to vote en block for the TMC at a public meeting in Tarakeshwar.

    The TMC supremo, during her campaign in the Domjur Assembly seat, also sought to know why no complaint has been registered against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he often makes references to Hindu and Muslim votebanks in his speeches.

    “You (EC) can issue 10 showcause notices to me but my reply will be the same. I will always speak against any division in Hindu, Muslim votes. I will always stand against division of voters along religious lines.

    “Why has no complaint been filed against Narendra Modi, who every day talks about Hindu and Muslim (votebanks)? How many complaints have been lodged against those who had uttered the word ‘mini Pakistan’ during the Nandigram campaigns?” Mamata said.

    Blaming BJP for “spreading lies” about Section 144 in an entire constituency, Mamata said: “They (BJP) spreads lies to create panic. In reality, Section 144 is in force within 200 metres of a booth. But they are doing this to prevent our voters from going to polling stations.” She asked polling agents to protest against “misdeeds” by BJP.

    Making light of Modi’s ‘Didi o Didi’ barb during his rallies, Banerjee said “Everyone has his or her own style of speaking, own rhetoric. Keep mocking me as many times as you want. But if you cross the lakshman rekha, it will only be a reflection of your personality.”

    Maintaining that the BJP has deployed men and machinery to hound political opponents, she claimed that national channels are also being forced to telecast news suiting the party’s interests.

    Describing TMC turncoat and BJP candidate from Domjur, Rajib Banerjee, as a “traitor”, the ruling camp supremo said, “He has betrayed those who had voted for him in 2016. I am sorry I could not see his true colours back then,” she said.

    The fesity leader, while addressing a public meeting in Sreerampur, Hooghly district, further claimed that central forces might visit villages to intimidate people, and asked voters to be on their guard.

    She said that the paramilitary personnel are working at behest of Home Minister Amit Shah.

    “I have great respect for the central paramilitary forces but they are working on the instructions of Amit Shah. They are committing atrocities on villagers on the eve of the polling day, and also on the day of voting. Some are even harassing women. They are asking people to vote for the BJP,” she claimed.

    Banerjee called upon the state police force and said, “Your job is to ensure free and fair polls, please be stern with trouble-makers and keep your integrity intact. Do not bow your heads before Delhi.”

    Asking villagers to file complaint in case of any unwarranted use of force by the paramilitary personnel, the chief minister said, “If the police station refuses to lodge an FIR, inform us.

    Hitting out at the BJP for “spreading misinformation about promulgation of section 144″, the TMC supremo said, They (BJP) peddle lies to create panic.

    In reality, prohibitory orders are in force within 200 metres of a booth. They do so to prevent voters from going to polling stations.”

    The CM asked polling agents to protest against the “misdeeds of the BJP and the security forces”.

    Accusing the BJP of having imposed “article 356-like (President’s rule) situation” in Bengal, with the EC taking arbitrary decisions, Banerjee said “District magistrates and director generals of police have been removed. They have also asked a top retired police officer not to occupy any post after superannuation. However, the poll panel did not mind appointing retired officers to oversee elections here.”

    Earlier in the day, during her address in Balagarh, the CM asked voters not to turn West Bengal into “another Gujarat” by voting for the saffron party.

    “If you wish to protect the oldest Durga puja in Guptipara (part of the Balagarh seat), and if you wish to protect our festivals, please ensure BJP’s defeat,” she said.

    Banerjee reaffirmed that her dispensation is committed to protecting the sanctity of Rathyatra in Mahesh, Christmas fervour at Bandel Church, Santhal festivals in Jangalmahal.

    The TMC boss, in a bid to woo the electorate in Behala, also stated that the Joka-B B D Bagh metro line was conceived during her stint as railway minister.

    Continuing her tirade against the BJP government at the Centre, she said plans were made to “impose COVID-19 lockdown in the state during the voting phase to stop people from exercising their franchise, but the idea could not be implemented as I had strongly opposed it.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Bengal polls 2021: Mamata Banerjee asks voters to be on guard, fears intimidation by central forces

    By PTI
    BALAGARH: Apprehending that a section of central paramilitary forces may visit villages to intimidate people, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked voters to be on guard.

    Addressing a public meeting here in Hooghly district, Banerjee alleged central forces are working on instructions of the “Union Home Ministry run by Amit Shah.”

    “I have respect for the central paramilitary forces but they are working on instructions from Delhi. They are committing atrocities on villagers before polling day, some of them are even harassing women. They are asking people to vote for BJP. We will not allow this to continue,” the TMC chief said.

    Banerjee called upon the state police force “to keep vigil and not to bow their heads before Delhi.

    “Your job is to ensure free and fair polls, please be stern with trouble makers and keep your integrity intact.”

    Asking villagers to lodge FIRs at local police station in case of any excess committed by central forces, the chief minister said, “If the police station refuses to accept the FIRs, inform us”.

    Blaming BJP for “spreading lies about promulgation of section 144 in an entire constituency,” the TMC supremo said, “They (BJP) spreads lies to create panic. In reality, section 144 is in force within 200 metres of a booth. But they are doing this to prevent our voters from going to polling stations.”

    Banerjee asked polling agents to be vocal and to protest any “misdeed by BJP and security forces”.

    Asking voters not to turn West Bengal into “another Gujarat” by voting for the saffron party, she said, “If you wish to protect the oldest Durga puja in Guptipara, if you wish to protect our festivals like Durga Puja, please ensure the defeat of BJP.”

    Banerjee, who iterated the TMC government’s commitment to protect the heritage Rathyatra in Mahesh, the celebrations at Bandel Church, the unique Santhal festivals in Jangalmahal, chanted ‘Chandi Mantra’ while wrapping up her speech.

    Banerjee said the candidate for the reserved Balagarh seat Manoranjan Byapari is chairman of state-run Dalit Sahitya Academy.

    She exuded confidence that Byapari would always stand by the marginalised in the constituency.