News Analysis India

Tag: Trinamool Congress

  • Days after third MLA defects, 5 BJP lawmakers from North Bengal skip first post-poll meet

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Amid speculations of defections by BJP leaders in the party’s north Bengal citadel following two back-to-back ones in south Bengal, five BJP MLAs from the region skipped the first party conference of legislators. 

    Out of 29 MLAs, 24 turned up at the conference to discuss strategies to consolidate the party base in the region in the wake of the ruling Trinamool Congress’s aggressive attempt to make inroads in north Bengal.

    The MLAs who skipped the meeting are Ashok Lahiri of Balurghat, Satyen Roy of Gangarampur, Manoj Oraon of Kumargram, Joyel Murmu of Habibpur, and Gopal Saha of Malda.

    “We were surprised when five MLAs did not turn up. One or two MLAs may have problems. But the absence of almost one-fifth of the total MLAs in north Bengal appears to be abnormal when it was the first post-poll party conference of elected MLAs,” said a BJP leader.

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    On Monday, BJP’s Bishnupur MLA Tanmoy Ghosh joined the TMC and the next day Bagda MLA Biswajit Das followed his footprint. Earlier, Mukul Roy, MLA of Krishnangar, had quit BJP to join TMC.

    “Our legislative count has already been reduced to 72 from 77. By-election is yet to be held in seven Assembly constituencies and six of them are located in TMC’s strongholds in south Bengal. If more MLAs shift sides, it will have a massive impact on our electoral performance,” said another BJP leader.

    The absence of five MLAs also triggered a question of whether there is a rift in the party over the issue of statehood for north Bengal as demanded by a section of party functionaries. Alipurduar MP John Barla had recently demanded either separate statehood for the region or its inclusion in the list of Union Territories. While state BJP president Dilip Ghosh backed Barla’s demand, many others in the party did not.  

    “When a section of our party leaders think the demand for statehood will help us to retain our north Bengal stronghold, others believe it may not go down well. If it doesn’t get the support of the common people, retaining north Bengal citadel will be difficult in coming elections which may start with defection from our party,” said another BJP leader.

    Manoj Tigga, the BJP MLA from Madarihat and party’s chief whip in the Assembly, was confident to retain the party’s legislative count in north Bengal. “None of our MLAs will defect from the party and we can vouch for it,” he said.

  • West Bengal moves SC against Calcutta HC order of CBI probe into post-poll violence cases

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court order directing the court-monitored CBI investigation into all heinous cases like rape and murder during the post-poll violence in the state after accepting the recommendations of an NHRC panel.

    The state government in its special leave petition alleged that it did not expect fair and just investigation by the central agency which is busy foisting cases against the functionaries of ruling Trinamool Congress Party.

    Earlier, lawyer Anindya Sundar Das, one of the PIL petitioners on whose plea the High Court August 19 verdict had come, had filed a caveat in the apex court urging that no order be passed without hearing him if the state or other litigant move appeals.

    A five-judge bench of the High Court, headed by Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal, had ordered a CBI investigation in all alleged cases of heinous crimes in West Bengal after the assembly poll results this year in which the ruling TMC came back to power.

    As regards other criminal cases related to post-poll violence, the high court had directed that they be investigated by a Special Investigation Team under the monitoring of the court.

    The high court bench, which also comprised justices I P Mukerji, Harish Tandon, Soumen Sen and Subrata Talukdar, had observed that there were “definite and proved” allegations that complaints of the victims of violence in the aftermath of the West Bengal assembly polls were not even registered.

    Ordering setting up of an SIT to probe all other cases, it had said that it will include Suman Bala Sahoo, Soumen Mitra and Ranveer Kumar, all IPS officers of the West Bengal cadre.

    “All the cases where, as per the report of the Committee, the allegations are about murder of a person and crime against women regarding rape/attempt to rape, shall be referred to CBI for investigation,” it had said.

    The high court has also directed the NHRC committee, constituted by its chairman on a direction by the five-judge bench, and any other commission or authority and the state to immediately hand over the records of the cases to the CBI to carry forward the probe.

    The bench had said it will monitor the investigations by both the CBI and the SIT and asked the two agencies to submit status reports to the court within six weeks.

    It had said that the working of the SIT will be overseen by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court for which a separate order will be passed after obtaining his/her consent.

    In its ruling, the bench had said heinous crimes such as murder and rape “deserve to be investigated by an independent agency which in the circumstances can only be Central Bureau of Investigation.”

    The bench had said the State failed to register FIRs even in some cases of alleged murders.

    “This shows a pre-determined mind to take the investigation into a particular direction. Under such circumstances investigation by an independent agency will inspire confidence to all concerned,” it had noted.

    It had said allegations that the police had not registered a number of cases initially and that some were registered only after the court had intervened or the committee was constituted were found to be true.

    It had observed that the facts in relation to the allegations made in the PILs are “even more glaring” as the incidents are not isolated to one place in the state.

    The NHRC committee had on July 13 submitted its final report to the court.

    An interim report of the NHRC committee had mentioned that Atif Rasheed, a member of the committee, was obstructed from discharging his duty and he and his team members were attacked by some undesirable elements on June 29 in the Jadavpur area on the southern fringe of the city, the court noted.

    The PILs had alleged that people were subjected to assault, made to flee homes and properties were destroyed during the violence in the wake of the assembly elections and sought impartial probe into the incidents.

  • Coal scam: TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira refuses to appear before ED

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Citing Covid pandemic, TMC leader and CM Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira Naroola Banerjee refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s New Delhi office on Wednesday in connecting with a coal smuggling and money laundering case.

    In a letter written to ED’s assistant director Sumat Prakash Jain, Rujira said, “I am a mother of two infants, and travelling to New Delhi physically in the midst of the pandemic will put my and the lives of my children at grave risk.”

    ED served the summon asking Rujira to turn up at the agency’s Delhi office on September 1. In connection with the same case, Abhishek was asked to appear in its Delhi office on September 3. Two other IPS officers, Gyanwant Singh (additional director general, CID) and Shyam Singh (deputy inspector general of police, Midnapore range) were also been asked to report to the agency’s office on September 9 and September 8 respectively.

    Assuring cooperation, Rujira requested the central agency to follow the probe procedure at her Kolkata residence as the ED has its office in the state capital. “It would be convenient to me if you consider asking me to appear before you in Kolkata as and I reside in that city. Besides, as per my understanding, the alleged cause of action of the subject matter of your inquiry too arises out of Bengal,” she wrote.

    The day the central agency served the summon, West Benegal CM had lambasted the BJP-led Centre accusing it to utilise the central agency vindictively. “They failed to fight with the TMC politically and now using CBI and ED against Abhishek. If I want, I can send bagful of evidence showing how BJP leaders looted Bengal’s coal region,” she had said while addressing on the occasion of the foundation day of TMC’s student-wing virtually on August 28.

    The CBI, in February, had questioned Rujira in connection with the coal scam case at her south Kolkata residence. Abhishek’s sister-in-law Maneka Gambhir had also been questioned by the CBI.

  • BJP MLA Tanmoy Ghosh joins TMC in Bengal, alleges ‘vindictive politics’ by saffron party

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Bishnupur MLA Tanmoy Ghosh joined the Trinamool Congress on Monday, alleging that his BJP was indulging in vindictive politics.

    Speaking to reporters, Ghosh claimed that the BJP was also attempting to trigger chaos among the people of West Bengal, because of which he joined the TMC.

    “I urge all to join the TMC for the welfare of West Bengal. There is a need to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,” he said.

    BJP is doing vindictive politics and attempting to create chaos among the people of the state, Ghosh said, adding that these were the reason for him to join the TMC.

    He had switched over to the BJP from TMC in March, days ahead of the state elections.

    Earlier, he was the TMC Youth president of Bishnupur town in Bankura district and also a councillor of the local civic body.

    Welcoming Ghosh to the party fold, state Education Minister Bratya Basu said BJP is trying to take post-poll revenge against the TMC.

    “We will fight the BJP politically. It is also trying to belittle the people of West Bengal,” he said.

    Basu said many BJP leaders are in touch with the TMC.

    “We appeal to all to join the TMC. But, who will be taken in will be decided by the party leadership,” he said.

    The BJP won 77 of the 292 seats of West Bengal assembly that went to the polls.

    The Trinamool Congress won 213 seats, while ISF and GJM bagged one seat each.

    Voting in Jangipur and Samserganj had to be postponed after the death of one candidate each in the two seats.

    BJP MLAs Nisith Pramanik and Jagannath Sarkar resigned to retain their Lok Sabha seats, while Mukul Roy switched over to the TMC.

    However, Roy continues to be a BJP MLA officially.

    Basu said BJP MLAs of Tripura are also in touch with the TMC.

    “When Mamata Banerjee steps in Tripura, there will be a tsunami. BJP leaders of that state are pretty aware of this,” he said.

    “Tripura under BJP has been transformed into a valley of fear,” Basu alleged.

  • Saradha scam: ED files chargesheet against TMC’s Kunal Ghosh, scribe Suman Chattopadhyay

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), as part of its probe into the multi-crore Saradha ponzi scam, filed a supplementary chargesheet on Friday against TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh and senior journalist Suman Chattopadhyay, agency sources said.

    The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court has taken cognisance of the charges framed, the sources in the directorate said.

    “The ED has filed supplementary chargesheet against Kunal Ghosh, his company Strategy Media Plus Communications, and Suman Chattopadhyay and his companies Disha Production and Media and Ekdin Media, before the Special Judge (PMLA), Kolkata, with the prayer for awarding punishment to the accused for committing offence of money laundering and confiscation of attached assets worth Rs 96.55 crore, including Rs 2.67 crore owned by Ghosh and Rs 1.72 crore owned by Chattopadhyay,” one of the sources said.

    Chattopadhyay is also accused in the ICore chit fund scam.

    Both Ghosh and Chattopadhyay faced arrests in the past and are currently out on bail.

    Sudipto Sen, the owner of the now-defunct Saradha group, is serving his time in jail along with his aide Debjani Mukherjee.

    According to the source, Ghosh, who was the CEO of Saradha Media Group, allegedly helped Sen launder proceeds worth over Rs 2,500 crore.

    Chattopadhyay reportedly laundered money through bogus transactions via his two companies.

    The Saradha group of companies has allegedly duped lakhs of people to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore, promising higher rates of returns on their investments.

  • Former West Bengal minister Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, who joined BJP, arrested on corruption charge

    By PTI

    BANKUR A(WEST BENGAL): Former West Bengal minister Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, who had joined the BJP ahead of this year’s assembly elections in the state, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly being involved in financial irregularities of nearly Rs 10 crore, an officer said.

    The former Trinamool Congress MLA from Bishnupur was apprehended following an investigation into allegations of misappropriation of money related to e-tendering and other charges when he was chairman of the local civic body in 2020, the police officer said.

    “An investigation was carried out by the SDPO, Bishnupur into the allegations of financial irregularities of Rs 9.91 crore. Mukherjee was arrested after he failed to give satisfactory answers to queries,” Bankura SP Dhritiman Sarkar told PTI.

    The BJP’s Bishnupur organisational district president Sujit Agasthi claimed that Mukherjee had joined the saffron party before the assembly elections in the state but he was not actively involved. “The allegations against him are of the time when he was in Trinamool Congress. Has the government woken up now?” the BJP leader asked.

  • Tripura BJP MLA asks workers to attack Trinamool Congress leaders in ‘Talibani style’

    By PTI

    AGARTALA: A ruling BJP MLA in Tripura, Arun Chandra Bhowmik, has stoked a controversy by allegedly saying that his party activists should counter Trinamool Congress leaders in “Talibani style” if they land at Agartala airport.

    The saffron camp, however, said it is the MLA’s version and not that of the BJP.

    With an eye on the Tripura Assembly polls in 2023, TMC leaders, including its national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, are visiting the hilly state frequently to try and build a base and an organisation for the party which till now has been confined to West Bengal.

    “The TMC is trying to harm the Biplab Kumar Deb-led government in Tripura that came to power by ending the 25-year-long Communist rule. All these are happening due to the instigation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,” the legislator who represents Belonia constituency said.

    Bhowmik made this remark Wednesday during a felicitation ceremony for newly inducted Union minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pratima Bhowmik at Belonia old town hall in South Tripura district.

    “I appeal to all of you that we need to attack them in Talibani style. We need to attack them once they land at the airport here. We will protect our government led by Biplab Kumar Deb with every drop of blood,” he said.

    A video clip of his comments went viral on the social media inviting wide criticism. Reacting to his remarks, Tripura TMC leader Subal Bhowmik demanded the BJP MLA’s arrest. “West Bengal TMC leaders were harassed last night at a private hotel in Agartala where they are staying. The incident happened after the MLA made this provocative remark,” he claimed.

    BJP Tripura chief spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty said the comment made by Bhowmik is exclusively his own and the party does not take any responsibility. “It is entirely his responsibility. This is not the culture of BJP,” Chakraborty told PTI.

    When contacted, Bhowmik said he had made the remark as an example to justify how to counter the TMC seriously. “I used the word ‘Talibani’ to make it clear that the way the Trinamool Congress is trying to harm the BJP government in Tripura, it needs a strong reaction. Use of the word ‘Talibani’ might have sent a wrong message, but my intention was just to narrate how to counter them seriously,” the BJP legislator said.

    Clashes between the TMC and the BJP have been reported from Tripura over the past few weeks. On his first visit, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s convoy was allegedly attacked by BJP workers in Tripura on August 3.

    The TMC had claimed that two of its youth leaders from West Bengal sustained injuries after being attacked by BJP workers in Dhalai district of the north-eastern state on August 7. The TMC alleged that two of its MPs -Dola Sen and Aparupa Poddar – were attacked twice by BJP supporters in South Tripura district on Independence Day.

    However, the saffron party has denied the allegations, saying the TMC posed no threat to them in the state.

  • Tripura HC refuses to stay police probe against TMC general-secretary Abhishek Banerjee, five others

    By PTI

    AGARTALA: The Tripura High Court on Wednesday refused to put a stay on the investigation against TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and five others for allegedly obstructing police officers from performing their duties, and asked the state government to justify within two weeks why the case should not be quashed.

    A complaint has been registered in Tripura against Banerjee, MP Dola Sen, West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu, TMC’s Tripura leader Subal Bhowmick and two others under section 186 of the IPC for allegedly coming in the way of the police who were carrying out their duties.

    Senior TMC leader Subal Bhowmick subsequently filed a plea before the court seeking dismissal of the case and a stay on the investigation against the TMC leaders. Justice AA Kureshi, while hearing the case, asked the state government to file a reply in two weeks on why the case should not be dismissed, and asked the police to continue with the investigation.

    However, the judge maintained that the police should not submit its final report without consulting the court. Kiran Kumar, the superintendent of police (SP) in Khowai district, had said that a suo moto complaint was filed on August 10 against the TMC leaders, who “misbehaved” with officers on duty two days ago.

    “We booked them on August 10 under Section 186 (obstruction of public servants in the discharge of his public function) and 36 (common intention) of the IPC. The FIR pertains to entry into the Khowai police station. They will be summoned,” the SP had stated.

    At least 14 leaders and workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were arrested in Khowai district on August 8, including those injured in an alleged attack by BJP men the day before, for “flouting COVID-19 norms”.

    Shortly after, the party’s national general secretary, who is also West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and the de facto number 2 in the party, flew to Agartala from Bengal to meet the apprehended workers in Khowai police station.

    Those arrested were later produced before a local court, which granted them bail. In a video that went viral on social media, the TMC national general secretary was seen raising his finger to enquire why his supporters were arrested “after having faced assaults”.

    According to the police, the 14 TMC members were nabbed for venturing out after the imposition of night curfew at 7 pm, in violation of the COVID-19 restrictions. Bhowmik, when approached by reporters during the day, said, “We are happy that the high court has admitted the case. Let the police investigate…the truth will come out.”

  • Sushmita switch won’t affect Opposition unity: TMC

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress on Tuesday said Sushmita Dev joining the party will not impact Opposition unity and asserted that they do not believe in poaching. TMC lawmaker Derek O’Brien said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will join the Opposition meeting called by Sonia Gandhi along with other leaders on August 20.“AITC does not believe in poaching. If there are talented people who share a similar vision and they reach out to us, we welcome them,” said the Rajya Sabha MP.

    On the impact of Dev’s joining TMC on Opposition unity, Brien said, “Today is August 17th and on August 20th, Soniaji has called a meeting. Let me confirm Mamata Banerjee will join the meeting with leaders from other parties. In Parliament, you have seen Opposition working together and everyone among them has a different relationship. Our goal is the same,” he added.On the future strategy for Assam, he said, “Plan for Assam, Tripura or rest of the states will be revealed in September.”

    Dev said her relation with Congress was for 30 years, but she cannot deny her relationship with the West Bengal CM. “Owing to the fact that my father was a former Union minister, we (my family and I) know her for 40 years. I have written to Sonia Gandhiji and sought her blessings. Congress has given me ample opportunities and there is not a single moment that I regret. I have no grievances against Soniaji and Rahulji,” she said.

    On joining TMC, Dev said, “I have joined TMC without any conditions. It is because when a new relationship is built, it can be fostered only on trust and I have complete faith in Mamata Didi. She has epitomised good governance. In addition, her courage against adversity is commendable. A woman leader who can sit on hunger strike for 26 days in support of protesting farmers, it is needless to describe her courage in words.”

  • ‘I haven’t compromised my ideology’: Sushmita Dev after joining TMC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former Congress leader Sushmita Dev on Tuesday said her joining the Trinamool Congress is “unconditional” and she will take any responsibility given to her by party president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

    Dev, who was the chief of the women’s wing of the Congress, joined the TMC in the presence of senior party leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien in Kolkata on Monday.

    “I don’t think I have compromised my ideology in joining the TMC. My joining the TMC is unconditional and I will take any responsibility given to me by Mamata Banerjee,” Dev told reporters here.

    A former MP, Dev was the national spokesperson of the grand old party and the chief of the All India Mahila Congress.

    She sent her resignation letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, sources said, but offered no reason for her quitting.

    “In my 30 years in politics, I haven’t demanded anything from the Congress high command,” Dev said.

    Dev, who sidestepped any question regarding her reasons behind quitting the Congress, said it is wrong to compare Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Abhishek Banerjee and “dig up dirt” on the former.

    ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjee has excellent vision for TMC’s future; hope to be helpful, says Sushmita Dev

    “We don’t know what the future holds. You will see what magic unfolds when both (Rahul Gandhi and Abhishek Banerjee) come together,” she said.

    “I have a long relationship with the Congress and I have written everything about that in my resignation letter. I got many opportunities in Congress and I tried to do justice to all the responsibilities. Many people tried to call me, but I was not available. On August 15, I gave the Congress president my resignation,” she said.

    Showering praises on Mamata Banerjee, Dev said, “I am coming to the TMC office for the first time.

    Mamata Di (Mamata Banerjee) is my idol, and thanks to her for accepting me into the party.

    “Under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, I will make her vision more powerful. Mamata Di’s work in Bengal is inspiring. Several schemes of the Bengal government are praiseworthy and the fighting spirit of Mamata Banerjee is known to everyone. My relationship with Mamata Banerjee is not just political, we have family ties,” she said.

    While neither Dev nor TMC MP and national spokesperson Derek O’Brien sitting beside her through the briefing described what her role would be in the party, sources indicate that she will be given “big responsibilities” in Assam and Tripura where the TMC is spreading its wings.

    Sources said Dev was unhappy with the Congress high command over a few issues, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which she had supported going against the party’s stance.

    Dev, who won the Silchar seat in Assam in 2014, lost in 2019.

    Silchar, a Bengali-dominated area is in favour of the CAA and after its enactment in 2019, but the stand of the Congress against it virtually sealed her fate.

    Sources also indicated that Dev was upset with the handling of the CAA issue in her region by the Congress.

    “Sushmita Dev has never spoken against the Constitution or human rights,” she said when asked about CAA.

    O’Brien, who was asked if the TMC is breaking/poaching from the Congress said the party does not believe in such tactics.

    “If there are talented people who share a similar vision and they reach out to us, we welcome them,” he said.

    On the future strategy for Assam, the party leaders said, “Plan for Assam, Tripura or rest of the states will be revealed in September.”

    Commenting on the impact of Dev joining the TMC on the opposition unity, the Rajya Sabha MP said on August 20, Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting and “reconfirmed” that Mamata Banerjee will be in attendance.

    “In parliament, you have seen opposition working together. Every one among them has a different relationship but our goal is the same,” he said.