News Analysis India

Tag: Nandigram

  • Calcutta HC to hear Mamata’s petition challenging Nandigram poll result on June 24

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Friday adjourned hearing to June 24 in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s petition challenging the election of Leader Of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram.

    The matter was mentioned by Banerjee’s lawyer before the court of Justice Kaushik Chanda as per the list for hearing.

    Justice Chanda asked the petitioner’s lawyer to serve copies of the election petition to the opposite parties and fixed the matter for hearing on Thursday.

    In her petition, the Trinamool Congress chief accused BJP MLA Adhikari of committing corrupt practises as envisaged under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

    Banerjee also claimed in the petition that discrepancies were committed in the counting process.

  • Trawler capsizes in river near Nandigram, one dead, three missing

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: A trawler capsized in the Haldi river in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, killing a fisherman, while three others were missing, an official said on Sunday.

    The incident happened on Saturday night near Nandigram when the trawler with 14 fishermen on board was anchored at the mouth of a canal where it meets the Haldi river, he said.

    The fishermen had anchored the trawler as they wanted to have dinner before setting out for fishing, he added.

    The trawler toppled due to high tide, and the fishermen fell into the river.

    Ten of them either managed to swim to safety or were rescued, while four others went missing, the official said.

    A body was fished out in the early hours of Sunday, he said.

    A search is underway for those missing, the official said.

  • Mamata Banerjee to be sworn in as Bengal CM on May 5; will move court over Nandigram verdict

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for a third consecutive term on May 5, senior party leader Partha Chatterjee confirmed.

    The newly-elected MLAs of the Trinamool Congress unanimously elected Banerjee as the legislative party leader at a meeting here, its secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.

    The TMC legislators elected the speaker in the outgoing House, Biman Banerjee, as the pro-tem speaker in the new Assembly.

    “The newly-elected members will take oath in the Assembly from May 6,” Chatterjee told reporters at the party headquarters here after the meeting of the legislators.

    The BJP emerged as the main opposition party with 77 seats under its belt, while incumbent TMC has won 213 of the 292 seats where polling was held in eight phases in March and April.

    ALSO READ | West Bengal Assembly Election results: Nandigram swung like a pendulum

    The party is set to return for a third term after registering a resounding win overall but Nandigram remained a bone of contention with a neck-and-neck tussle between CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.

    ALSO WATCH:

    Banerjee, who lost to Adhikari in the constituency by a narrow margin, has decided to move court over the verdict after the Election Commission refused its request for a recount.

    READ MORE HERE | Mamata loses Nandigram but wins election ‘khela’ of the decade in Bengal at a canter

    “How come the EC reversed the Nandigram result after formally announcing it? We will move court, she said at a press meet. 

    The TMC supremo also stated that this is the first time she didn’t receive a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was spearheading BJP’s campaign in the poll-bound state.

    It is for the second time in succession that Banerjee powered her party to two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

    Importantly, Trinamool Congress has refrained from celebrations amid surging coronavirus cases in the state and decided to hold a victory march once the pandemic is over.

    (With inputs from Online Desk)

  • West Bengal Assembly Election results: Nandigram swung like a pendulum

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: Nandigram, the epicentre of the high-octane West Bengal Assembly elections in East Midnapore, witnessed a nail-biting drama on who would be the winner Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or her once trusted lieutenant-turned-foe Suvendu Adhikari.

    The drama continued till the last round when news of Mamata’s victory came in, but minutes later, Suvendu’s victory by 1,956 votes was announced.

    While the returning officer rejected Trinamool’s request for a recount, the party asked the chief election officer to reconsider it.

    Accepting the verdict in Nandigram: Mamata

    Hinting at her defeat, Mamata said in the evening that she was not happy with the counting process in Nandigram.

    “I accept the verdict in Nandigram. I offer my salaam to the people of Nandigram. I will move to court, if necessary, to review the result. It is a minor issue for a party that is wining in 221 seats,” she said. Mamata had changed her constituency and decided to contest in Nandigram to take on Suvendu in his home turf.

    The decision bolstered the morale of Trinamool’s supporters not only in East Midnapore, but also across the state. She, on, Sunday pointed out that some “small sacrifices’’ are sometimes required for larger gains.

    “Whatever has happened has happened for the good. I won’t have to visit such a long distance to look after the constituency,’’ she said while referring to Nandigram. In the first five rounds, Suvendu secured a lead of more than 10,000 votes but the Trinamool camps appeared relaxed.

    They said the rounds covered the areas dominated by Hindu voters. After the sixth round, Mamata started gaining votes and both the candidates started overpowering each other after every alternate round.

    The tension among the supporters of the TMC and the BJP reached its peak when Suvendu secured a lead of just six votes after the 16th of a total of 17 rounds. In the last round, the rebel TMC leader and BJP’s star candidate secured his win. The TMC, however, demanded recounting in Nandigram.

  • Mamata loses Nandigram but wins election ‘khela’ of the decade in Bengal at a canter

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Soon after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee injured her left foot in Nandigram, allegedly at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party, she often referred to herself as a wounded Bengal tiger.

    Ranged against her was the combined might of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda and the seemingly unstoppable BJP election juggernaut. But in the end, it was the saffron party that was left to licks its wounds as Mamata won the election ‘khela’ of the decade at a canter.

    The Trinamool Congress sealed a bigger mandate than in 2016 in the state. The BJP, its principal rival, was way behind with less than even 100 seats and far short of its projected tally of 200.

    The election results were also a reversal of the 2019 Lok Sabha election results, where when translated into assembly seats, the BJP was ahead in 121. These results had upped the BJP’s tail and it had hoped to build on it to mount a challenge this time around, especially after it made deep inroads into the Dalit-dominated Junglemahal area and north Bengal.

    In Junglemahal, the BJP led in 21 of the 27 seats in 2019, in north Bengal the saffron party had led in 35 of the 54 seats. But this time, the results got reversed. The Trinamool won 20 seats in Junglemahal and 27 in north Bengal.

    A prominent feature of the West Bengal elections was that it became a two-horse race between the Trinamool and the BJP, reducing the Left Front and the Congress as mere also-rans. The Left, which ruled the state for 34 years before Mamata’s advent, and the Congress failed to open their accounts.

    Bengal Poll Results Highlights | Didi and Joy Bangla reign despite Suvendu trumping Mamata in Nandigram

    Their candidates fell like nine pins even in their strongholds of Murshidabad, Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur, comprising 49 seats. The Trinamool secured leads in 38 seats mainly because of the consolidation of the minority voters, who are a deciding factor in the region.

    The traditional minority vote bank of the Congress and the Left in the four districts shifted its loyalty to the ruling party because of the BJP’s Hindutva rhetoric.

    The saffron party also paid the price for fielding as many as 148 Trinamool turncoats, including 18 MLAs.

    This had resulted in two things: one, it put off many voters as they viewed the Trinamool leaders as highly corrupt.

    “If the BJP had to field the same corrupt leaders then how is it different from the Trinamool” was the common refrain among the voters.

    Second, the Trinamool turncoats angered many of the older saffron party workers, who had toiled against the ruling party and its corruption. This had even led to violence in the run-up to the elections.

    The Trinamool also appeared to have successfully portrayed the BJP as a party of outsiders. Time and again Mamata had asked voters to choose between a local woman, meaning herself, and the Hindi-speaking leaders of the BJP.

    Congratulations to Mamata Didi for @AITCofficial’s win in West Bengal. The Centre will continue to extend all possible support to the West Bengal Government to fulfil people’s aspirations and also to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. @MamataOfficial
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021

    Utter ruin for Congress and the Left Front

    For the first time since Independence, the Left Front and Congress failed to secure victory in a single seat in West Bengal. 

    In 2016, Left had won 26 seats and Congress 44. Inspired by that, they again formed an alliance. Perhaps including the Indian Secular Front headed by a Muslim cleric made them unpopular with the voters. 

    The tally of both parties has come down to zero. Now, the Left Front has no representative in the Lok Sabha and the state Assembly. For a party that ruled Bengal for 36 years, this is one massive fall. 

  • WB polls: Election Commission warns Suvendu Adhikari for March 29 speech

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Election Commission of India has warned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari over a speech delivered by him on March 29, for which he had filed a reply on April 9.

    The Election Commission has advised him to desist from using such statements while making public utterances when Model Code of Conduct is in force.

    An order from the EC stated, “Whereas, the Commission has issued a notice dated April 8 to Suvendu Adhikari, candidate of BJP from 210-Nandigram Assembly Constituency for violation of provisions contained in clause (2) and (3) of Part 1 of ‘General Conduct of Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates’ during ongoing General Election to Legislative Assembly of West Bengal.”

    Whereas the Commission has received a reply from Suvendu Adhikari to the aforesaid Notice on April 9 and whereas Suvendu Adhikari in the aforesaid reply, has inter-alia submitted the following:-

    He firmly believes in free, fair and impartial election where there is no ill will between candidates and no personal attack is made while criticism the political opponents.

    He respectfully states that he had no malafide intention to criticize anyone personally or make any offensive or derogatory statement against anyone. he has always remained cautious and refrained from making any statements which would hurt anyone. In addition, he has never appealed to the citizens in caste or communal lines for securing votes.

    He reiterates that he has not violated any provision of MCC, however, he will be more careful in future. His party and himself have firm belief and respects democracy and democratic institutions like Election Commission of India and would abide by any directives of ECI.

    Whereas, the Commission has carefully considered the reply and is of the considered view that Suvendu Adhikari has violated Para 2 and 3 of Part 1 ‘General Conduct of Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates.

    Now therefore the Commission hereby warns Suvendu Adhikari and advises him to desist from using such statement while making public utterances during the period when the Model Code of Conduct is in force.

    Nandigram witnessed a high-voltage “Khela” (game of power) on Thursday in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls.

    The constituency witnessed a direct contest between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her former ministerial colleague Suvendu Adhikari, who had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in December last year.

  • ‘Factually incorrect’: EC on Mamata’s claims about presence of outsiders at Nandigram polling booth

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In a strongly worded rejoinder to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission has rejected her claim about the presence of outsiders at a polling booth in Nandigram as “factually incorrect” and “devoid of substance”.

    The EC sent the letter to Banerjee on Saturday in response to a complaint filed by her on April 1, when polling was held in Nandigram, alleging irregularities in the polling process.

    In its point-by-point rejoinder, the EC said Banerjee’s letter regarding booth capturing and the presence of outsiders at a polling booth in Boyal was “preceded by a massive coverage all over the country which showed dozens of audio-visual shots of your being in this polling station and literally hurling an avalanche of allegations on some officials working with the government of West Bengal itself, paramilitary forces and eventually the Election Commission”.

    Citing reports received from the ground, including its observers, the poll body said, “It is self-evident from the perusal of all the reports that the allegations mentioned in your hand-written note are factually incorrect, without any empirical evidence whatsoever and devoid of substance.”

    The commission said it is a matter of deep regret that a “media narrative was sought to be weaved hour after hour to misguide the biggest stakeholders, which is the voters, by a candidate who also happens to be CM of the state”.

    At least this should have been appreciated that the “side show” was fraught with immense potential to have an adverse impact on law and order across West Bengal and may be in some other states, it said.

    “And all this was being done when the election process was/is on. There could not have been a greater misdemeanour,” the letter stated.

    Banerjee, who is contesting the polls from Nandigram, had visited a polling booth in Boyal when polling was underway on April 1.

    According to Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab, wheelchair-bound Banerjee was stuck in the booth for almost two hours as two groups raised slogans against each other.

    A large number of CAPF personnel and senior officers reached there and brought out the chief minister after bringing the situation under control.

    Later, Banerjee blamed outsiders for creating trouble.

    She also accused the EC of not acting on complaints of alleged irregularities in the polling process in Nandigram lodged by her party, Trinamool Congress.

  • Mamata Banerjee looking for second seat to contest, claims BJP President JP Nadda

    By ANI
    GUWAHATI: BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is ‘losing from Nandigram’ and her own people told him that she is ‘searching for another seat to contest’.

    “This is their strategy and they know better about it, but we have information that she is searching ( for another seat) and their people have said so to me. However, I cannot take a guarantee of this as they know it. But she is losing Nandigram, this is certain,” he said.

    On Thursday, Nandigram witnessed a direct contest between Mamata and her former colleague Suvendu Adhikari, who had joined the BJP in December last year.

    Nandigram is the home turf of Adhikari, while Mamata is contesting from Nandigram and not from her home turf Bhabanipur constituency.

    Exuding confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will come to power in West Bengal, the BJP president said that the people of the state are eager to oust the Trinamool Congress-government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “lock, stock and barrel”.

    “We are forming the government there (West Bengal). But the poll results of West Bengal will be shocking. The people of Bengal are eager to dismiss the rule of Mamata Banerjee lock, stock and barrel,” he said.

    “In the first two phases, TMC has been wiped out and BJP is coming. In Nandigram, BJP is winning clearly,” Nadda added.

    The first two phases of assembly polls have been held in West Bengal and the third phase is slated for April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

  • BJP seeks EC action against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for ‘violating’ poll norms in Nandigram

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A BJP delegation Friday met Election Commission officials here and demanded action against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging she violated elections norms in her Nandigram constituency while votes were being cast during the second phase of polling on Thursday.

    The delegation comprised Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, and the party’s national media incharge Anil Baluni.

    “For the first time in the country’s history, a chief minister sat on a dharna in a polling booth when polling was on. Before she (Mamata Banerjee) sat on her dharna, 74 per cent votes were polled in Nandigram and the polling was by and large peaceful,” Javadekar told reporters after meeting the EC officials here.

    He further alleged as soon as the Trinamool Congress chief sat on the “dharna”, her party workers started pelting stones at the polling booth.

    “We have given all proofs including photographs of her misconduct. A chief minister, which is a constitutional post, sitting on a dharna while the polling was on is against democracy and also against the Election Commission’s norms for polling. Therefore, we have demanded urgent action against her from the poll panel,” Javadekar said.

    The BJP leader also hit out at both the TMC and the Congress for questioning the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines, saying as soon as these parties sense their defeats, they start looking for something to blame their defeat on.

    Later in a tweet, Bhupender Yadav said, “Met poll panel officials with party leaders seeking action against Mamata Banerjee for protesting at a polling booth and provoking TMC workers to disturb peace. Her name must be removed from TMC’s star campaigner list for peaceful polls.”

    The BJP has also demanded action against about DMK supremo MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi for his “indecent” remarks against late BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj.

    Udhayanidhi raked controversy by saying that both Jaitley and Swaraj died due to political pressure.

    Chief Minister Banerjee on Thursday visited several booths across the high-profile Nandigram constituency, where she is pitted against her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, as sporadic incidents of violence and allegations of booth jamming marred the voting process in the second phase.

    Both Banerjee and Adhikari fanned out to various polling booths in Nandigram to take stock of the situation after reports of stray violence and booth ‘jamming’, a bid by workers of one party to crowd out voters from a polling booth by forming long queues.

  • Bengal polls: ‘Not your party’s member’, Mamata hits back at Modi over second seat contest dig

    By PTI
    DINHATA: Asserting that she was winning the election from Nandigram, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that she does not need his “suggestion” on contesting from any other seat.

    The prime minister had on Thursday asked Banerjee to clarify whether there is truth in the “rumours” that she was going to file the nomination for another seat going to the polls in the last phase, maintaining that the TMC chief has admitted defeat in Nandigram.

    “I want to tell the prime minister to control his home minister first and then try to control us.

    We are not your party’s members that you will control us,” Banerjee said at an election rally in Dinhata in the north Bengal district of Coochbehar.

    “I am not your party’s member that you will suggest me to contest from another seat. I have contested from Nandigram and will win from there,” she added.

    At a rally in Uluberia on Thursday, Modi said that the people of Bengal are prepared if she goes anywhere else to contest, anticipating defeat in Nandigram, where she was up against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, her former close aide.

    Banerjee, who began her north Bengal tour with the rally here, alleged that the election is not being conducted by the Election Commission but by Amit Shah, the Home Minister.

    She alleged that the central forces were being used to intimidate the voters.

    “I want more than 200 seats, since anything less than that will mean they (BJP) will buy the ‘gaddars’ (traitors),” Banerjee said, apparently admitting that TMC MLAs may be up for grabs if her party wins by a slender margin in the elections for the 294-member assembly.