News Analysis India

Tag: Trinamool

  • Trinamool observes ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’ across Bengal; takes out rallies against Central agencies

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The TMC on Tuesday observed ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’ with party leaders organising football matches to promote sports, and taking out rallies against the alleged biased functioning of central agencies in West Bengal.

    ‘Khela Hobe’ (the game is on) had been the battle cry of the Trinamool Congress during the assembly polls last year when the party defeated the BJP to storm back to power for the third consecutive term.

    Last year, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee announced that August 16 would be observed as ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’.

    “I want to extend my heartfelt wishes on #KhelaHobeDibas. After the exemplary success of the event last year, we look forward to greater participation by the youth today. Let this day uphold the zeal of our young citizens, who are the most credible harbingers of progress!” Banerjee tweeted on Tuesday.

    Football matches were organised to promote sports and as a mark of respect to 16 people who died in a stampede during a football match at the Eden Gardens here in 1980.

    “All the party leaders were instructed to organise programmes at every block of the state,” senior TMC leader Tapas Ray said.

    The TMC took out rallies in various parts of the state, questioning the impartiality of the probe agencies.

    Carrying posters and placards, activists of the ruling party rallied in various parts of the state, demanding an unbiased probe by the ED and the CBI.

    “We doubt the way in which central agencies function. We have seen that no action is being taken against BJP leaders facing allegations of corruption. However, they are very prompt when acting against opposition leaders,” a TMC leader said.

    The TMC took out a massive rally in the Manicktala area of the city.

    Party workers were seen wearing masks resembling BJP leaders allegedly facing graft charges.

    On Thursday morning, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Birbhum district president of TMC, Anubrata Mondal, from his residence in the Bolpur area for allegedly not cooperating in its probe into the cattle smuggling case.

    Partha Chatterjee, now suspended TMC leader, was arrested on July 23 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a school recruitment scam.

    Meanwhile, the BJP has been opposing announcing August 16 as ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’ claiming that the Muslim League had launched its Direct Action Day and began the Great Calcutta Killings on August 16 in 1946.

    A BJP delegation led by its state president Sukanta Majumdar met West Bengal Governor La Ganesan at Raj Bhavan during the day and claimed that the occasion was an attempt to intimidate the opposition cadres across the state.

    “In the name of ‘Khela Hobe’, the ruling party had unleashed terror across the state after the 2021 assembly polls,” he said.

    KOLKATA: The TMC on Tuesday observed ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’ with party leaders organising football matches to promote sports, and taking out rallies against the alleged biased functioning of central agencies in West Bengal.

    ‘Khela Hobe’ (the game is on) had been the battle cry of the Trinamool Congress during the assembly polls last year when the party defeated the BJP to storm back to power for the third consecutive term.

    Last year, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee announced that August 16 would be observed as ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’.

    “I want to extend my heartfelt wishes on #KhelaHobeDibas. After the exemplary success of the event last year, we look forward to greater participation by the youth today. Let this day uphold the zeal of our young citizens, who are the most credible harbingers of progress!” Banerjee tweeted on Tuesday.

    Football matches were organised to promote sports and as a mark of respect to 16 people who died in a stampede during a football match at the Eden Gardens here in 1980.

    “All the party leaders were instructed to organise programmes at every block of the state,” senior TMC leader Tapas Ray said.

    The TMC took out rallies in various parts of the state, questioning the impartiality of the probe agencies.

    Carrying posters and placards, activists of the ruling party rallied in various parts of the state, demanding an unbiased probe by the ED and the CBI.

    “We doubt the way in which central agencies function. We have seen that no action is being taken against BJP leaders facing allegations of corruption. However, they are very prompt when acting against opposition leaders,” a TMC leader said.

    The TMC took out a massive rally in the Manicktala area of the city.

    Party workers were seen wearing masks resembling BJP leaders allegedly facing graft charges.

    On Thursday morning, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Birbhum district president of TMC, Anubrata Mondal, from his residence in the Bolpur area for allegedly not cooperating in its probe into the cattle smuggling case.

    Partha Chatterjee, now suspended TMC leader, was arrested on July 23 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a school recruitment scam.

    Meanwhile, the BJP has been opposing announcing August 16 as ‘Khela Hobe Dibas’ claiming that the Muslim League had launched its Direct Action Day and began the Great Calcutta Killings on August 16 in 1946.

    A BJP delegation led by its state president Sukanta Majumdar met West Bengal Governor La Ganesan at Raj Bhavan during the day and claimed that the occasion was an attempt to intimidate the opposition cadres across the state.

    “In the name of ‘Khela Hobe’, the ruling party had unleashed terror across the state after the 2021 assembly polls,” he said.

  • Union Minister Subhas Sarkar accuses Mamata government of ‘not allowing’ him to hoist national flag

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Union Minister Subhas Sarkar on Saturday alleged that he was “not allowed” by the West Bengal government to hoist the national flag at a correctional home in Paschim Medinipur district as part of the Centre’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ initiatives.

    He claimed that the state officials were initiated about his visit to the Midnapore Central Correctional Home but he found “no arrangements were made to hoist the tricolour” there.

    “When I stepped into the premises, I found no arrangements were made to hoist the national flag.

    It shows the West Bengal government’s apathy and indifference towards the sacrifice of our heroes,” he told reporters outside the jail compound.

    Sarkar, the union minister of state for education, said he would not blame the correctional home authorities as they “followed the directives of the state government and there was apparently no communication about the August 13 programme”.

    “Despite all official communication, including my telephonic talk with the chief secretary, I was not given permission to celebrate the event and pay my tributes to the martyrs of West Bengal at the Midnapore Central Jail (Midnapore Central Correctional Home),” he posted on his official Facebook page.

    ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and ‘Har ghar tiranga’ initiatives have been taken by the Centre to celebrate 75 years of Independence.

    Responding to Sarkar’s comments, TMC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said “nothing could be more ridiculous than such a statement on his part.”

    The TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP claimed that Sarkar created the controversy to show the state government in poor light as “everywhere in the state, arrangements are made to hoist the tricolour”.

    “We should not learn about patriotism or how to show respect to the country’s freedom fighters from the BJP,” he added.

    KOLKATA: Union Minister Subhas Sarkar on Saturday alleged that he was “not allowed” by the West Bengal government to hoist the national flag at a correctional home in Paschim Medinipur district as part of the Centre’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ initiatives.

    He claimed that the state officials were initiated about his visit to the Midnapore Central Correctional Home but he found “no arrangements were made to hoist the tricolour” there.

    “When I stepped into the premises, I found no arrangements were made to hoist the national flag.

    It shows the West Bengal government’s apathy and indifference towards the sacrifice of our heroes,” he told reporters outside the jail compound.

    Sarkar, the union minister of state for education, said he would not blame the correctional home authorities as they “followed the directives of the state government and there was apparently no communication about the August 13 programme”.

    “Despite all official communication, including my telephonic talk with the chief secretary, I was not given permission to celebrate the event and pay my tributes to the martyrs of West Bengal at the Midnapore Central Jail (Midnapore Central Correctional Home),” he posted on his official Facebook page.

    ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and ‘Har ghar tiranga’ initiatives have been taken by the Centre to celebrate 75 years of Independence.

    Responding to Sarkar’s comments, TMC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said “nothing could be more ridiculous than such a statement on his part.”

    The TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP claimed that Sarkar created the controversy to show the state government in poor light as “everywhere in the state, arrangements are made to hoist the tricolour”.

    “We should not learn about patriotism or how to show respect to the country’s freedom fighters from the BJP,” he added.

  • Pavan Varma quits Trinamool, party says move won’t have any impact

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Former Rajya Sabha MP Pavan K Varma on Friday resigned from the Trinamool Congress, nearly nine months after joining the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

    Varma, a former JD(U) MP, had joined TMC in November last year in the presence of Banerjee during her visit to the national capital.

    “Dear @MamataOfficial Ji, Please accept my resignation from the @AITCofficial. I want to thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me, and for your affection and courtesies. I look forward to remaining in touch. Wishing you all the best, and with warm regards, Pavan K. Varma,” he tweeted.

    Varma was appointed TMC national vice-president and spokesperson in December 2021.

    However, after the formation of the new office bearers’ committee in February this year, he was not given any formal post in the party.

    Repeated calls to contact him went unanswered.

    The TMC, however, declined to attach much importance to Varma quitting the party, contending that it won’t have any impact.

    “He was a diplomat who joined the JD(U) and was sent to the Rajya Sabha. After he was denied a second term, he left the party and joined the TMC. Maybe he aspired to get an RS berth from the TMC. As it did not happen, he has now decided to quit,” senior TMC MP Sougata Roy said.

    Roy, without naming anyone, added: “Those who come up from the grassroots are the ones committed to the party unlike those who come from other fields.”

    Varma’s joining was perceived to be a part of TMC’s national expansion plans, which fell flat following its flop show in the Goa assembly polls and the Tripura civic elections.

    KOLKATA: Former Rajya Sabha MP Pavan K Varma on Friday resigned from the Trinamool Congress, nearly nine months after joining the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

    Varma, a former JD(U) MP, had joined TMC in November last year in the presence of Banerjee during her visit to the national capital.

    “Dear @MamataOfficial Ji, Please accept my resignation from the @AITCofficial. I want to thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me, and for your affection and courtesies. I look forward to remaining in touch. Wishing you all the best, and with warm regards, Pavan K. Varma,” he tweeted.

    Varma was appointed TMC national vice-president and spokesperson in December 2021.

    However, after the formation of the new office bearers’ committee in February this year, he was not given any formal post in the party.

    Repeated calls to contact him went unanswered.

    The TMC, however, declined to attach much importance to Varma quitting the party, contending that it won’t have any impact.

    “He was a diplomat who joined the JD(U) and was sent to the Rajya Sabha. After he was denied a second term, he left the party and joined the TMC. Maybe he aspired to get an RS berth from the TMC. As it did not happen, he has now decided to quit,” senior TMC MP Sougata Roy said.

    Roy, without naming anyone, added: “Those who come up from the grassroots are the ones committed to the party unlike those who come from other fields.”

    Varma’s joining was perceived to be a part of TMC’s national expansion plans, which fell flat following its flop show in the Goa assembly polls and the Tripura civic elections.

  • Arrests of Anubrata, Partha: BJP to take out march to Nabanna against ‘corrupt’ Mamata government

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Upping the ante in the fight against the TMC, following the arrest of two of its leaders, the Bengal BJP has given the call for march to ‘Nabanna’ – the state secretariat – on September 7 in protest against the “corrupt” TMC regime.

    Addressing a rally in Esplanade area here, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should “step down” following the arrest of senior minister Partha Chatterjee and party leader Anubrata Mondal in corruption cases.

    TMC strongman Anubrata Mondal was arrested by CBI for allegedly not cooperating in its probe in a cattle smuggling case on Thursday, just three weeks after the Enforcement Directorate picked up another heavyweight leader Partha Chatterjee in a school recruitment scam.

    “The state is presently witnessing the most corrupt government since independence. Senior minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested in School Service Commission scam, and another TMC leader, Anubrata Mondal, was held in a cattle smuggling case. The chief minister, being the head of the government and the party, must step down immediately,” Majumdar said.

    Chatterjee, who was arrested on July 23 by the ED in a school recruitment scam, was stripped of his cabinet portfolios and party posts within five days of his arrest.

    He is presently in judicial custody.

    Mondal has been remanded in 10-day custody of the CBI.

    “We have decided to take out a march to Nabanna on September 7, seeking the resignation of the CM. The march will held in protest against the corrupt government of the state. Lakhs of people across the state will join the protest,” he said.

    Speaking at the programme, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said the day is not far when the cabinet meeting of the West Bengal government will be held inside the jail compound.

    “In near future, the top brass of the ruling TMC would be behind bars on corruption charges. The arrest of Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mondal is just the beginning; the party will lose many more wickets in the days to come,” he said.

    Reacting sharply to their comments, TMC MP Santanu Sen accused the saffron camp of trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the state.

    “The BJP, out of frustration in Bengal, is now trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the state. Our party has made it very clear that it will not compromise on the issue of corruption or any wrongdoings,” he said.

    The TMC, during the day, took out protest rallies in various parts of the state, accusing the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) of acting as “frontal organizations” of the BJP at the Centre.

    KOLKATA: Upping the ante in the fight against the TMC, following the arrest of two of its leaders, the Bengal BJP has given the call for march to ‘Nabanna’ – the state secretariat – on September 7 in protest against the “corrupt” TMC regime.

    Addressing a rally in Esplanade area here, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should “step down” following the arrest of senior minister Partha Chatterjee and party leader Anubrata Mondal in corruption cases.

    TMC strongman Anubrata Mondal was arrested by CBI for allegedly not cooperating in its probe in a cattle smuggling case on Thursday, just three weeks after the Enforcement Directorate picked up another heavyweight leader Partha Chatterjee in a school recruitment scam.

    “The state is presently witnessing the most corrupt government since independence. Senior minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested in School Service Commission scam, and another TMC leader, Anubrata Mondal, was held in a cattle smuggling case. The chief minister, being the head of the government and the party, must step down immediately,” Majumdar said.

    Chatterjee, who was arrested on July 23 by the ED in a school recruitment scam, was stripped of his cabinet portfolios and party posts within five days of his arrest.

    He is presently in judicial custody.

    Mondal has been remanded in 10-day custody of the CBI.

    “We have decided to take out a march to Nabanna on September 7, seeking the resignation of the CM. The march will held in protest against the corrupt government of the state. Lakhs of people across the state will join the protest,” he said.

    Speaking at the programme, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said the day is not far when the cabinet meeting of the West Bengal government will be held inside the jail compound.

    “In near future, the top brass of the ruling TMC would be behind bars on corruption charges. The arrest of Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mondal is just the beginning; the party will lose many more wickets in the days to come,” he said.

    Reacting sharply to their comments, TMC MP Santanu Sen accused the saffron camp of trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the state.

    “The BJP, out of frustration in Bengal, is now trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the state. Our party has made it very clear that it will not compromise on the issue of corruption or any wrongdoings,” he said.

    The TMC, during the day, took out protest rallies in various parts of the state, accusing the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) of acting as “frontal organizations” of the BJP at the Centre.

  • ‘Nitish now in front row of Opposition camp along with Mamata’: Shatrughan Sinha

    By PTI

    PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stands in the “front row” of the opposition camp along with Mamata Banerjee and others to end the “Modi raj” in the country in the 2024 general election, former BJP leader and now Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha said on Wednesday.

    Sinha said the JD(U) leader has given the BJP a taste of its own medicine after it dislodged governments of opposition parties in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

    On who among Kumar and Banerjee could emerge as the opposition face against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next Lok Sabha poll, the actor-politician told PTI that the people of the country and leaders of the opposition parties would decide it at an “appropriate” time.

    Sinha, who had served as a cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, has become a Lok Sabha member from Asansol in West Bengal recently from Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC).

    Popularly called “Bihari Babu”, the actor-politician bid goodbye to the BJP after being denied a ticket from his native Patna Sahib seat in the 2019 general election.

    Before parting ways with the saffron party, Sinha had on several occasions targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home minister Amit Shah using the barb “one man party and two men army” against them.

    After leaving the BJP, Sinha had unsuccessfully contested from the Patna Sahib constituency on a Congress ticket in 2019.

    After lying low in the Congress, he switched over to Trinamool Congress and Banerjee chose him for the by-election in the Asansol Lok Sabha seat vacated by Babul Supriyo.

    “Better late than never, Nitish Kumar has given the BJP a taste of its own medicine that it administered in Madhya Pradesh and now in Maharashtra using its money power,” Sinha alleged.

    He was in his native place Patna on the day Kumar took oath as chief minister of Bihar for the eighth time along with deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav.

    “Due to his bold decision, Kumar today stands in the front row in the opposition camp along with Banerjee and others to lead the downfall of ‘Modi raj’ in the next Parliamentary election,” he said.

    Opposition parties have claimed the JD(U) breaking ranks with the BJP and joining hands with the RJD, Congress and others is an indication of the change in Indian politics, asserting that their vision to fight the saffron party and its “politics of intimidation” has gained momentum.

    Kumar, who has dumped the BJP for the second time after severing ties in 2013 and reconciling in 2017, is being talked about in the political circles as a probable opposition face against Modi in 2024 but many still view the JD(U) leader with suspicion citing his numerous ‘U-turns’.

    Also several other opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have hinted at prime ministerial ambitions.

    “The people of the country and the leaders of the opposition parties would decide who would be the face against Modi in the 2024 general election,” Sinha, who had earlier served as Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib twice and also as Rajya Sabha MP on two occasions from the saffron party, said.

    The newly elected TMC MP from Asansol praised Banerjee and reiterated she would be a “game changer” in the next general election.

    Talking about BJP forming its governments in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra after defection in Congress and Shiv Sena respectively, Sinha said, “They (the BJP) had been indulging in the toppling game using money power”.

    “After khela (game) in West Bengal, the BJP has been cut to size following khela in Bihar,” he said using the famous punchline of the TMC during the West Bengal assembly polls in 2021.

    Sinha had served in the Vajpayee cabinet along with both Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee and had on several occasions highlighted his cordial relationship with both of them.

    The septuagenarian Parliamentarian had praised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for fighting the BJP and defeating it comprehensively in the assembly polls in the eastern state in 2021.

    PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stands in the “front row” of the opposition camp along with Mamata Banerjee and others to end the “Modi raj” in the country in the 2024 general election, former BJP leader and now Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha said on Wednesday.

    Sinha said the JD(U) leader has given the BJP a taste of its own medicine after it dislodged governments of opposition parties in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

    On who among Kumar and Banerjee could emerge as the opposition face against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next Lok Sabha poll, the actor-politician told PTI that the people of the country and leaders of the opposition parties would decide it at an “appropriate” time.

    Sinha, who had served as a cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, has become a Lok Sabha member from Asansol in West Bengal recently from Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC).

    Popularly called “Bihari Babu”, the actor-politician bid goodbye to the BJP after being denied a ticket from his native Patna Sahib seat in the 2019 general election.

    Before parting ways with the saffron party, Sinha had on several occasions targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home minister Amit Shah using the barb “one man party and two men army” against them.

    After leaving the BJP, Sinha had unsuccessfully contested from the Patna Sahib constituency on a Congress ticket in 2019.

    After lying low in the Congress, he switched over to Trinamool Congress and Banerjee chose him for the by-election in the Asansol Lok Sabha seat vacated by Babul Supriyo.

    “Better late than never, Nitish Kumar has given the BJP a taste of its own medicine that it administered in Madhya Pradesh and now in Maharashtra using its money power,” Sinha alleged.

    He was in his native place Patna on the day Kumar took oath as chief minister of Bihar for the eighth time along with deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav.

    “Due to his bold decision, Kumar today stands in the front row in the opposition camp along with Banerjee and others to lead the downfall of ‘Modi raj’ in the next Parliamentary election,” he said.

    Opposition parties have claimed the JD(U) breaking ranks with the BJP and joining hands with the RJD, Congress and others is an indication of the change in Indian politics, asserting that their vision to fight the saffron party and its “politics of intimidation” has gained momentum.

    Kumar, who has dumped the BJP for the second time after severing ties in 2013 and reconciling in 2017, is being talked about in the political circles as a probable opposition face against Modi in 2024 but many still view the JD(U) leader with suspicion citing his numerous ‘U-turns’.

    Also several other opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have hinted at prime ministerial ambitions.

    “The people of the country and the leaders of the opposition parties would decide who would be the face against Modi in the 2024 general election,” Sinha, who had earlier served as Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib twice and also as Rajya Sabha MP on two occasions from the saffron party, said.

    The newly elected TMC MP from Asansol praised Banerjee and reiterated she would be a “game changer” in the next general election.

    Talking about BJP forming its governments in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra after defection in Congress and Shiv Sena respectively, Sinha said, “They (the BJP) had been indulging in the toppling game using money power”.

    “After khela (game) in West Bengal, the BJP has been cut to size following khela in Bihar,” he said using the famous punchline of the TMC during the West Bengal assembly polls in 2021.

    Sinha had served in the Vajpayee cabinet along with both Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee and had on several occasions highlighted his cordial relationship with both of them.

    The septuagenarian Parliamentarian had praised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for fighting the BJP and defeating it comprehensively in the assembly polls in the eastern state in 2021.

  • Cattle smuggling: Doctor advises rest to Trinamool’s Anubrata Mondal ahead of his CBI appearance

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: A day after he skipped CBI appearance in connection with a cattle smuggling case citing medical check-up as reason, TMC leader Anubrata Mondal was on Tuesday advised rest “for a few days” by a doctor who examined him at his Bolpur residence.

    Mondal, who is in his 60s, is scheduled to appear before CBI sleuths again on Wednesday in connection with the probe, after having skipped Monday’s session.

    Dr Chandranath Adhikari, who examined Mondal, said that he advised the TMC Birbhum district president to take “rest at home for a few days”, after taking into consideration his physical and psychological condition.

    “He has an infection on his fistula. Besides, he also suffers from diabetes, obesity, acute mental anxiety and depression,” Adhikari told reporters.

    The TMC leader, who often made headlines for his off-the-cuff remarks on various issues, has been asked by the CBI to appear before it on several occasions in connection with its probe into the cattle scam.

    In the past, too, Mondal skipped summonses citing ill health.

    Earlier in the day, a CBI official said that the agency had sent officers to Mondal’s residence to “ensure that Mondal received the summons personally”.

    “We have asked him to come to our Nizam Palace office in the city on Wednesday morning around 11 am,” the official told PTI.

    Mondal returned to Bolpur from Kolkata on Monday night, following his medical check-up at SSKM hospital.

    Doctors at the hospital had said that the TMC leader does not require admission.

    He has been questioned twice thus far by the central agency, which in the recent past also conducted raids at various locations in the district in connection with the case.

    His bodyguard Saigal Hossain was arrested by the probe agency in June.

    KOLKATA: A day after he skipped CBI appearance in connection with a cattle smuggling case citing medical check-up as reason, TMC leader Anubrata Mondal was on Tuesday advised rest “for a few days” by a doctor who examined him at his Bolpur residence.

    Mondal, who is in his 60s, is scheduled to appear before CBI sleuths again on Wednesday in connection with the probe, after having skipped Monday’s session.

    Dr Chandranath Adhikari, who examined Mondal, said that he advised the TMC Birbhum district president to take “rest at home for a few days”, after taking into consideration his physical and psychological condition.

    “He has an infection on his fistula. Besides, he also suffers from diabetes, obesity, acute mental anxiety and depression,” Adhikari told reporters.

    The TMC leader, who often made headlines for his off-the-cuff remarks on various issues, has been asked by the CBI to appear before it on several occasions in connection with its probe into the cattle scam.

    In the past, too, Mondal skipped summonses citing ill health.

    Earlier in the day, a CBI official said that the agency had sent officers to Mondal’s residence to “ensure that Mondal received the summons personally”.

    “We have asked him to come to our Nizam Palace office in the city on Wednesday morning around 11 am,” the official told PTI.

    Mondal returned to Bolpur from Kolkata on Monday night, following his medical check-up at SSKM hospital.

    Doctors at the hospital had said that the TMC leader does not require admission.

    He has been questioned twice thus far by the central agency, which in the recent past also conducted raids at various locations in the district in connection with the case.

    His bodyguard Saigal Hossain was arrested by the probe agency in June.

  • ‘Plot being hatched to kill me, have written to CM’: Trinamool MLA Idris Ali

    By PTI

    BHAGOBANGOLA: A day after his house was ransacked, TMC MLA Idris Ali on Tuesday claimed that a section of party workers in his constituency was “hatching a plot to kill him” and he wrote to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to apprise her of the situation.

    Ali’s house was vandalised on Monday by his party’s workers, who accused him of taking money for allotting posts in TMC’s local organisation.

    Claiming that the allegation was “baseless”, the Bhagobangola MLA asserted that some local leaders were trying to place people with dubious backgrounds into the party’s block-level organisation.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the police arrested two local TMC leaders for their alleged involvement in the incident.

    “I have written to our party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, demanding immediate arrest of the accused. A local TMC leader and his supporters have been hatching a plot for quite some time to kill me as I have objected to their illegal activities in the area. Yesterday, when they attacked my house, they also threatened to kill me,” he told reporters.

    A police team has been deputed at his residence in the Bhagobangola area of Murshidabad district, following the vandalism.

    A local TMC leader had alleged that Ali was sidelining party old-timers over the last few years.

    “Ali hardly understands local political equations and is trying to thrust his arbitrary decisions on everyone,” he said.

    TMC’s district chairman Abu Taher Khan had said he would look into the complaints.

    BHAGOBANGOLA: A day after his house was ransacked, TMC MLA Idris Ali on Tuesday claimed that a section of party workers in his constituency was “hatching a plot to kill him” and he wrote to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to apprise her of the situation.

    Ali’s house was vandalised on Monday by his party’s workers, who accused him of taking money for allotting posts in TMC’s local organisation.

    Claiming that the allegation was “baseless”, the Bhagobangola MLA asserted that some local leaders were trying to place people with dubious backgrounds into the party’s block-level organisation.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the police arrested two local TMC leaders for their alleged involvement in the incident.

    “I have written to our party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, demanding immediate arrest of the accused. A local TMC leader and his supporters have been hatching a plot for quite some time to kill me as I have objected to their illegal activities in the area. Yesterday, when they attacked my house, they also threatened to kill me,” he told reporters.

    A police team has been deputed at his residence in the Bhagobangola area of Murshidabad district, following the vandalism.

    A local TMC leader had alleged that Ali was sidelining party old-timers over the last few years.

    “Ali hardly understands local political equations and is trying to thrust his arbitrary decisions on everyone,” he said.

    TMC’s district chairman Abu Taher Khan had said he would look into the complaints.

  • ‘Money recovered by ED does not belong to me’: Partha Chatterjee once again claims ‘conspiracy’ against him

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Arrested Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, who is at the centre of a multi-crore school jobs scam, on Sunday claimed that the money recovered during Enforcement Directorate raids does not belong to him, and time will tell who are “conspiring” against him.

    As he deboarded a vehicle after being taken to ESI Hospital at Joka for a medical check-up, and was approached by reporters with questions regarding the scam, Chatterjee said, “The money (recovered) is not mine.”

    Asked further if anybody was conspiring against him, he said: “You will get to know when the time comes.”

    Chatterjee had on Friday asserted that he was a victim of a conspiracy and expressed unhappiness over the Trinamool Congress’ decision to suspend him.

    “This decision (to suspend me) could influence an impartial probe,” he had said.

    About the move to remove him from the ministry, Chatterjee, once considered a close confidante of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said, “Her (Banerjee’s) decision is right.”

    Chatterjee, 69, was relieved of his duties as minister-in-charge of various departments and suspended from the TMC on Thursday.

    He was also removed from all party posts.

    One of his close aides, Arpita Mukherjee, has also been arrested by the ED after crores of rupees in cash were seized from her residences in parts of the city.

    The TMC leadership has taken exception to his comments, contending that Chatterjee was himself responsible for his fate.

    “Why was he silent for the last few days after his arrest? He has every right to approach the court and prove his innocence. The party has nothing to do with this scam,” TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh had said on Thursday.

    The CBI, as directed by Calcutta High Court, is probing the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group-C and -D staff, as well as teachers in government-sponsored and -aided schools on the recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission.

    The ED is looking into the money trail involved in the scam.

    KOLKATA: Arrested Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, who is at the centre of a multi-crore school jobs scam, on Sunday claimed that the money recovered during Enforcement Directorate raids does not belong to him, and time will tell who are “conspiring” against him.

    As he deboarded a vehicle after being taken to ESI Hospital at Joka for a medical check-up, and was approached by reporters with questions regarding the scam, Chatterjee said, “The money (recovered) is not mine.”

    Asked further if anybody was conspiring against him, he said: “You will get to know when the time comes.”

    Chatterjee had on Friday asserted that he was a victim of a conspiracy and expressed unhappiness over the Trinamool Congress’ decision to suspend him.

    “This decision (to suspend me) could influence an impartial probe,” he had said.

    About the move to remove him from the ministry, Chatterjee, once considered a close confidante of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said, “Her (Banerjee’s) decision is right.”

    Chatterjee, 69, was relieved of his duties as minister-in-charge of various departments and suspended from the TMC on Thursday.

    He was also removed from all party posts.

    One of his close aides, Arpita Mukherjee, has also been arrested by the ED after crores of rupees in cash were seized from her residences in parts of the city.

    The TMC leadership has taken exception to his comments, contending that Chatterjee was himself responsible for his fate.

    “Why was he silent for the last few days after his arrest? He has every right to approach the court and prove his innocence. The party has nothing to do with this scam,” TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh had said on Thursday.

    The CBI, as directed by Calcutta High Court, is probing the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group-C and -D staff, as well as teachers in government-sponsored and -aided schools on the recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission.

    The ED is looking into the money trail involved in the scam.

  • SSC scam: ED begins process of freezing bank accounts of arrested Bengal Minister’s associate

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun the process of freezing at least three bank accounts of suspended TMC leader Partha Chatterjee’s associate Arpita Mukherjee, where they have found at least Rs 2 crore, a senior official of the agency said on Saturday.

    Bank accounts belonging to several “shell companies” of Mukherjee are also under ED scanner, he said.

    “The process of freezing Mukherjee’s three bank accounts has started. A total of around Rs 2 crore has been found in these accounts. We suspect these accounts were used to carry out several transactions and further probe is underway,” the official said.

    He said a decision on freezing the bank accounts of the “shell companies” is yet to be taken, while refusing to divulge the amount in those accounts.

    “We have sought the details of these bank accounts from authorities concerned. After going through the accounts, we will decide our next course of action,” he said.

    The ED sleuth said the agency will continue grilling Mukherjee to know whether she has any more bank accounts.

    Chatterjee’s bank accounts are also being checked, sources said.

    Interrogation of both Mukherjee and Chatterjee is underway since morning, they said.

    Both Chatterjee, who has been stripped of his ministerial and party duties, and Mukherjee, from whose two flats ED has seized Rs 50 crore in cash besides jewellery and foreign currency, will be in the custody of the central agency till August 3.

    The duo was arrested on July 23 for their alleged involvement in the school jobs scam, where genuine candidates were allegedly sidestepped with names that did not appear on the merit list.

    ED is probing the money laundering aspect of the scam.

    When taken to ESI Hospital in Joka area in south Kolkata on Friday, Chatterjee alleged he was a “victim of conspiracy”, but TMC has asserted that he was “solely responsible for his fate”.

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun the process of freezing at least three bank accounts of suspended TMC leader Partha Chatterjee’s associate Arpita Mukherjee, where they have found at least Rs 2 crore, a senior official of the agency said on Saturday.

    Bank accounts belonging to several “shell companies” of Mukherjee are also under ED scanner, he said.

    “The process of freezing Mukherjee’s three bank accounts has started. A total of around Rs 2 crore has been found in these accounts. We suspect these accounts were used to carry out several transactions and further probe is underway,” the official said.

    He said a decision on freezing the bank accounts of the “shell companies” is yet to be taken, while refusing to divulge the amount in those accounts.

    “We have sought the details of these bank accounts from authorities concerned. After going through the accounts, we will decide our next course of action,” he said.

    The ED sleuth said the agency will continue grilling Mukherjee to know whether she has any more bank accounts.

    Chatterjee’s bank accounts are also being checked, sources said.

    Interrogation of both Mukherjee and Chatterjee is underway since morning, they said.

    Both Chatterjee, who has been stripped of his ministerial and party duties, and Mukherjee, from whose two flats ED has seized Rs 50 crore in cash besides jewellery and foreign currency, will be in the custody of the central agency till August 3.

    The duo was arrested on July 23 for their alleged involvement in the school jobs scam, where genuine candidates were allegedly sidestepped with names that did not appear on the merit list.

    ED is probing the money laundering aspect of the scam.

    When taken to ESI Hospital in Joka area in south Kolkata on Friday, Chatterjee alleged he was a “victim of conspiracy”, but TMC has asserted that he was “solely responsible for his fate”.

  • ‘Silly Souls’: Mahua Moitra’s quip at BJP for accusing Congress MPs of eating chicken near Gandhi statue

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Friday took a dig at the BJP for alleging that Congress MPs protesting under the Gandhi statue in Parliament complex ate chicken.

    The demonstration is being held against the suspension of 24 MPs — 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.

    Without taking any names, Mitra hit out at BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who raised the issue on Thursday, and Union Minister Smriti Irani, whose 18-year-old daughter has been accused of running an “illegal bar” in Goa by the Congress.

    “BJP’s hired help commenting on what food suspended MPs eat on dharna. Silly Souls! Don’t you know your masters serve both tongue & cheek ?!” she tweeted.

    “Silly Souls” is the name of the place being linked to Irani’s daughter.

    Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress of insulting Mahatma Gandhi by consuming chicken while sitting under the statue of the seeker of non-violence.

    “Far from discussing public issues, insulting the great personalities of the country has become a habit of the Congress,” he said in Hindi.

    The TMC served tandoori chicken to the protesting MPs on Wednesday, and fish fry on Thursday.

    It is, however, not clear if the Congress leaders ate any of the non-vegetarian food.

    NEW DELHI: TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Friday took a dig at the BJP for alleging that Congress MPs protesting under the Gandhi statue in Parliament complex ate chicken.

    The demonstration is being held against the suspension of 24 MPs — 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.

    Without taking any names, Mitra hit out at BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who raised the issue on Thursday, and Union Minister Smriti Irani, whose 18-year-old daughter has been accused of running an “illegal bar” in Goa by the Congress.

    “BJP’s hired help commenting on what food suspended MPs eat on dharna. Silly Souls! Don’t you know your masters serve both tongue & cheek ?!” she tweeted.

    “Silly Souls” is the name of the place being linked to Irani’s daughter.

    Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress of insulting Mahatma Gandhi by consuming chicken while sitting under the statue of the seeker of non-violence.

    “Far from discussing public issues, insulting the great personalities of the country has become a habit of the Congress,” he said in Hindi.

    The TMC served tandoori chicken to the protesting MPs on Wednesday, and fish fry on Thursday.

    It is, however, not clear if the Congress leaders ate any of the non-vegetarian food.