News Analysis India

Tag: Trinamool

  • SSC scam: BJP takes out rally in Kolkata to protest against school jobs irregularities

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The BJP’s West Bengal unit on Thursday took out a rally here to protest against alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government-sponsored and-aided schools.

    Led by BJP’s state president Sukanta Majumdar and other senior party leaders, the protest march – Kolkata Chalo – began at College Street and culminated at Rani Rashmoni road in central Kolkata.

    “The corruption in School Service Commission is just the tip of the iceberg. The entire TMC and its government are knee-deep in corruption. Partha Chatterjee and other corrupt leaders should be put behind bars,” Majumdar said.

    The state government on Thursday removed Chatterjee, who was on July 23 arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged school jobs scam, from the ministry with immediate effect.

    Carrying posters and placards, the BJP activists shouted slogans against the Mamata Banerjee government and its education department.

    They demanded that the culprits behind the alleged scam should be put behind bars.

    Chatterjee held the portfolios of commerce and industry, parliamentary affairs, information technology and electronics, public enterprises and industrial reconstruction in the state cabinet.

    He was the state education minister when the alleged scam took place.

    The Enforcement Directorate is probing into the money trail involved in the irregularities in recruitment at schools.

    Crores of rupees in cash along with other items were allegedly recovered from the residence of a woman, who is considered to be a close associate of Chatterjee.

    PTI could not independently verify the information.

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

    KOLKATA: The BJP’s West Bengal unit on Thursday took out a rally here to protest against alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government-sponsored and-aided schools.

    Led by BJP’s state president Sukanta Majumdar and other senior party leaders, the protest march – Kolkata Chalo – began at College Street and culminated at Rani Rashmoni road in central Kolkata.

    “The corruption in School Service Commission is just the tip of the iceberg. The entire TMC and its government are knee-deep in corruption. Partha Chatterjee and other corrupt leaders should be put behind bars,” Majumdar said.

    The state government on Thursday removed Chatterjee, who was on July 23 arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged school jobs scam, from the ministry with immediate effect.

    Carrying posters and placards, the BJP activists shouted slogans against the Mamata Banerjee government and its education department.

    They demanded that the culprits behind the alleged scam should be put behind bars.

    Chatterjee held the portfolios of commerce and industry, parliamentary affairs, information technology and electronics, public enterprises and industrial reconstruction in the state cabinet.

    He was the state education minister when the alleged scam took place.

    The Enforcement Directorate is probing into the money trail involved in the irregularities in recruitment at schools.

    Crores of rupees in cash along with other items were allegedly recovered from the residence of a woman, who is considered to be a close associate of Chatterjee.

    PTI could not independently verify the information.

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

  • With regional cuisines and morning tea, suspended MPs spend night in Parliament complex

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Braving mosquitoes and the heat, some of the suspended MPs like CPI’s Santosh Kumar, AAP’s Sanjay Singh spent the night beside the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex.

    TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present on the site till post midnight With no permission for a tent granted by the authorities, five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 MPs, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.

    “50 hour non-stop dharna by Opposition MPs. 21 hours done. 29 hours to go.”

    “Revoke suspension of 24 MPs. Discuss,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.

    In the morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protest will continue.

    The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.

    They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session.

    The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.

    The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    “Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action: Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue.

    Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.

    While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.

    “Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50-hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.

    “There’s a 170% increase in the suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.

    “We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.

    The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.

    “The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.”

    “It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”

    Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.

    In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.

    However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing the price rise.

    With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.

    Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties was created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.

    While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK.

    Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.

    On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.

    Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.

    In fact, parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.

    The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.

    From curd rice to ‘gajar ka halwa’, Opposition parties arrange regional cuisine for 50-hour protest

    From curd rice and idli-sambhar to chicken tandoori, ‘gajar ka halwa’ and fruits, Opposition parties are taking turns to arrange regional cuisine for MPs on a 50-hour relay protest against their suspension and demanding discussion on price rise.

    In a show of solidarity and political strength, the Opposition parties have come together to create a duty roster for the protest with every party taking responsibility for making arrangements, including food, for those sitting on the dharna.

    The roster is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group, keeping everyone in the loop about the day’s arrangements.

    Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members started the protest inside the Parliament complex on Wednesday, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.

    The MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through the night, said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended.

    Those suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    The parties which will be a part of the protests include the TMC, DMK, AAP, TRS, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, CPIM, CPI, JMM and the Kerala Congress.

    Sources said the parties have decided that they will try to arrange regional cuisines for the MPs for their meals.

    On Wednesday, the MPs had idli-sambhar for breakfast which was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.

    The lunch of curd rice was also arranged by the DMK.

    The menu for dinner is roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori, courtesy of the TMC.

    DMK’s Kanimozhi, who was instrumental in planning the roster, came to the protest site carrying ‘gajar ka halwa’, while TMC arranged for fruits and sandwiches.

    On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS for lunch and the AAP would arrange dinner.

    The AAP was also in charge of erecting a tent for the MPs to shield them from the scorching sun but permission for it was denied by the authorities.

    Sources said that the parties have taken it upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns sitting at the protest site for one to two hours in support of those who have been suspended.

    Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Mahua Majhi and leaders of Nationalist Congress Party — none of whose members have been suspended — have given their time to sit with the protesting MPs as a mark of solidarity.

    The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request for a tent being denied by authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.

    The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.

    Opposition leaders said the authorities have fully cooperated with them to arrange a security team and cleaning staff for the protesting MPs.

    Arrangements have also been made for their exit and entry.

    While Congress and the other opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed that they had come together on the issue of price rise.

    Senior Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh visited the protest site and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the opposition parties.

    NEW DELHI: Braving mosquitoes and the heat, some of the suspended MPs like CPI’s Santosh Kumar, AAP’s Sanjay Singh spent the night beside the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex.

    TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present on the site till post midnight With no permission for a tent granted by the authorities, five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 MPs, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.

    “50 hour non-stop dharna by Opposition MPs. 21 hours done. 29 hours to go.”

    “Revoke suspension of 24 MPs. Discuss,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.

    In the morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protest will continue.

    The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.

    They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session.

    The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.

    The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    “Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action: Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue.

    Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.

    While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.

    “Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50-hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.

    “There’s a 170% increase in the suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.

    “We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.

    The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.

    “The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.”

    “It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”

    Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.

    In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.

    However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing the price rise.

    With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.

    Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties was created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.

    While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK.

    Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.

    On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.

    Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.

    In fact, parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.

    The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.

    From curd rice to ‘gajar ka halwa’, Opposition parties arrange regional cuisine for 50-hour protest

    From curd rice and idli-sambhar to chicken tandoori, ‘gajar ka halwa’ and fruits, Opposition parties are taking turns to arrange regional cuisine for MPs on a 50-hour relay protest against their suspension and demanding discussion on price rise.

    In a show of solidarity and political strength, the Opposition parties have come together to create a duty roster for the protest with every party taking responsibility for making arrangements, including food, for those sitting on the dharna.

    The roster is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group, keeping everyone in the loop about the day’s arrangements.

    Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members started the protest inside the Parliament complex on Wednesday, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.

    The MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through the night, said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended.

    Those suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    The parties which will be a part of the protests include the TMC, DMK, AAP, TRS, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, CPIM, CPI, JMM and the Kerala Congress.

    Sources said the parties have decided that they will try to arrange regional cuisines for the MPs for their meals.

    On Wednesday, the MPs had idli-sambhar for breakfast which was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.

    The lunch of curd rice was also arranged by the DMK.

    The menu for dinner is roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori, courtesy of the TMC.

    DMK’s Kanimozhi, who was instrumental in planning the roster, came to the protest site carrying ‘gajar ka halwa’, while TMC arranged for fruits and sandwiches.

    On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS for lunch and the AAP would arrange dinner.

    The AAP was also in charge of erecting a tent for the MPs to shield them from the scorching sun but permission for it was denied by the authorities.

    Sources said that the parties have taken it upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns sitting at the protest site for one to two hours in support of those who have been suspended.

    Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Mahua Majhi and leaders of Nationalist Congress Party — none of whose members have been suspended — have given their time to sit with the protesting MPs as a mark of solidarity.

    The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request for a tent being denied by authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises.

    The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.

    Opposition leaders said the authorities have fully cooperated with them to arrange a security team and cleaning staff for the protesting MPs.

    Arrangements have also been made for their exit and entry.

    While Congress and the other opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed that they had come together on the issue of price rise.

    Senior Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh visited the protest site and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the opposition parties.

  • ‘Anyone proven guilty must be punished, but media trials unacceptable’: Mamata on SSC scam

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Days after senior West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the school recruitment scam, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday slammed the media for allegedly launching a “malicious campaign” against her party.

    Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said that anyone proven guilty by the court must be punished, but probe “agencies must not be used to malign political parties”.

    “”When you run a big institution, there can be mistakes. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose once said that people have the right to make blunders. If anyone has committed any mistake, and it is proven legally, he or she must be punished. “But I am against any malicious media campaign. The media is playing the role of kangaroo (court). A senior judge also said that recently,” she said.

    Addressing a programme of private firm Titagarh Wagons at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Banerjee lashed out at a section of the media for allegedly trying to act like courts and pronounce judgments even before a person is legally proven guilty.

    “The Chief Justice of India recently pointed out that the media is playing the role of kangaroo courts.

    They don’t want any development to happen in Bengal and only want to defame our state,” she said.

    Banerjee was referring to recent comments by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana that agenda-driven debates and kangaroo courts being run by the media are detrimental to the health of democracy.

    Without elaborating, the TMC supremo claimed that she knows those journalists who have taken “undue benefits”.

    About ED raids carried out on July 22 at the houses of around a dozen people, including Chatterjee and another minister, in connection with its investigation into the school jobs scam, Banerjee wondered what prompted the central agency to do it just a day after the TMC’s mega rally in Kolkata.

    She said, “”They (BJP) were afraid after seeing the turnout (in the rally). They (ED) came in the dead of night and the wee hours. Did they find everything in one day?” Banerjee said she does not have any problem with investigative agencies doing their job. But I will not tolerate ruining the perception of any political party in the name of an investigation, especially by those who have looted the country. This is not a good sign for our country,” she said.

    The TMC leader said she is against central agencies being used by the BJP to malign opposition parties.

    Banerjee claimed that the BJP will not return to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    “If I were not confident, I would not have said this. But what is the calculation, where will the seats come from, and how will they come? I don’t know. (However), even astrologers are predicting the BJP’s downfall,” she said.

    Banerjee said the level of “intolerance and cruelty” against the opposition has surpassed that of the British era.

    In an apparent reference to the suspension of 19 opposition members from Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, she said, “These days, if you protest against something, you get suspended. If people raise their voices, they are either suspended or slapped with court cases.”

    She also claimed that businessmen and opposition leaders were also being “threatened by agencies at the behest of the ruling BJP” at the Centre.

    The chief minister also cautioned the saffron camp that if it tries to dislodge the West Bengal government “as it did in Maharashtra”, the party would get a befitting reply.

    After dislodging the government in Maharashtra, the BJP has been trying to carry out similar operations in Jharkhand and other states, including West Bengal.

    “Let me remind them that this is the land of the Royal Bengal Tiger; if they try to interfere, a befitting reply will follow. I warn them not to think about Bengal,” the TMC boss added.

    KOLKATA: Days after senior West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the school recruitment scam, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday slammed the media for allegedly launching a “malicious campaign” against her party.

    Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said that anyone proven guilty by the court must be punished, but probe “agencies must not be used to malign political parties”.

    “”When you run a big institution, there can be mistakes. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose once said that people have the right to make blunders. If anyone has committed any mistake, and it is proven legally, he or she must be punished. “But I am against any malicious media campaign. The media is playing the role of kangaroo (court). A senior judge also said that recently,” she said.

    Addressing a programme of private firm Titagarh Wagons at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Banerjee lashed out at a section of the media for allegedly trying to act like courts and pronounce judgments even before a person is legally proven guilty.

    “The Chief Justice of India recently pointed out that the media is playing the role of kangaroo courts.

    They don’t want any development to happen in Bengal and only want to defame our state,” she said.

    Banerjee was referring to recent comments by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana that agenda-driven debates and kangaroo courts being run by the media are detrimental to the health of democracy.

    Without elaborating, the TMC supremo claimed that she knows those journalists who have taken “undue benefits”.

    About ED raids carried out on July 22 at the houses of around a dozen people, including Chatterjee and another minister, in connection with its investigation into the school jobs scam, Banerjee wondered what prompted the central agency to do it just a day after the TMC’s mega rally in Kolkata.

    She said, “”They (BJP) were afraid after seeing the turnout (in the rally). They (ED) came in the dead of night and the wee hours. Did they find everything in one day?” Banerjee said she does not have any problem with investigative agencies doing their job. But I will not tolerate ruining the perception of any political party in the name of an investigation, especially by those who have looted the country. This is not a good sign for our country,” she said.

    The TMC leader said she is against central agencies being used by the BJP to malign opposition parties.

    Banerjee claimed that the BJP will not return to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    “If I were not confident, I would not have said this. But what is the calculation, where will the seats come from, and how will they come? I don’t know. (However), even astrologers are predicting the BJP’s downfall,” she said.

    Banerjee said the level of “intolerance and cruelty” against the opposition has surpassed that of the British era.

    In an apparent reference to the suspension of 19 opposition members from Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, she said, “These days, if you protest against something, you get suspended. If people raise their voices, they are either suspended or slapped with court cases.”

    She also claimed that businessmen and opposition leaders were also being “threatened by agencies at the behest of the ruling BJP” at the Centre.

    The chief minister also cautioned the saffron camp that if it tries to dislodge the West Bengal government “as it did in Maharashtra”, the party would get a befitting reply.

    After dislodging the government in Maharashtra, the BJP has been trying to carry out similar operations in Jharkhand and other states, including West Bengal.

    “Let me remind them that this is the land of the Royal Bengal Tiger; if they try to interfere, a befitting reply will follow. I warn them not to think about Bengal,” the TMC boss added.

  • ‘Can’t just say we don’t have numbers so we won’t fight election’: Margaret Alva on contesting V-P polls

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The joint Opposition candidate for the vice presidential election Margaret Alva may be fighting a lost battle with numbers firmly stacked against her and due to the growing disunity among non-BJP parties, but she has said she is hardly perturbed and feels the numbers can always swing.

    “We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers, so we won’t fight an election,” she added.

    With less than a fortnight to go for the August 6 vice presidential election, the former governor told PTI in an interview Mamata Banerjee has “enough time” to rethink her party Trinamool Congress’ decision to abstain from the poll.

    The multi-term parliamentarian also shared her thoughts about the changes she has witnessed over the years in public life.

    “It is frightening when I look around,” she says.

    “You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?” she says.

    Alva will launch her campaign for the poll Monday afternoon, meeting MPs of various parties in the Central Hall of Parliament Excerpts from the interview:

    The numbers in the electoral college are clearly stacked against the Opposition and some ask why contest a losing battle?

    Because the numbers are stacked against us, we should not fight the election? I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now in the electoral college.

    We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge.

    I was approached by the opposition parties to be their representative in this election, and though I had gone back to Bangalore and settled in, I thought this challenge had to be faced and I said yes.

    We all understand winning and losing are part of an election.

    The Opposition TMC has said that they will abstain from the vice presidential poll. How do you see their position?

    I am aghast at that announcement. Mamata (Banerjee) has been leading the entire movement to unite the Opposition. She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind.

    Does this not expose disunity in the Opposition?

    It’s like a family quarrel. There are sometimes differences, different perceptions, and maybe different situations. But, we will sit and talk and sort it out. She is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen.

    She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win.

    The recent presidential poll has also exposed a lot of chinks in the Opposition. There was cross-voting in several states in favour of NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu.

    The same thing can happen and votes can come to this side. Cross-voting is something which has become the rule of the day. The idea of electing a tribal woman, I think, played a very important part and she deserves to become the President.  I congratulate her.

    She was the first tribal woman candidate and I am the first woman vice presidential candidate from the South.

    What is your objective in contesting this vice presidential poll knowing already what the outcome would be?

    The objective is not mine. The Opposition parties wanted a person who was acceptable to all of them and they requested me to be their candidate. And though the numbers are stacked against the Opposition at the moment, I said yes and accepted the challenge.

    We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers so we don’t fight an election. And in an election like this, the numbers can swing.

    Yashwant Sinha, the Opposition candidate in the recently-concluded presidential poll, alleged there was the use of money power in the election.

    The tragedy is that in today’s democratic system, it is not the mandate of the people that prevails. Take Karnataka, take Maharashtra, take Madhya Pradesh. In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework.

    You have been an accomplished politician and served as governor of four states. Do you think it would reflect better on national unity if the president and vice president were elected by consensus?

    I agree. The government should, therefore, think of supporting me.

    It would have been good if a consensus would have been worked out for both these posts by negotiating with all the parties.

    How do you view the emphatic win of Droupadi Murmu?

    I think it was a foregone conclusion because the MLAs also voted and the BJP had also the states. Yet, I must say Mr Sinha put up a very impressive fight. He raised issues and points which are of concern to the country today. There are always differences of opinion, even between the BJP and its allies on many issues.

    Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together. Before the general elections, I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024. There might be ups and downs, differences. But the intention is clear. They are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected.

    We do not want a one-party rule.

    You have been a presiding officer in both the Houses of Parliament, what do you have to say on the politics of disruptions emerging as a regular feature in Parliament.

    It is very unfortunate.

    But the point is why are there disruptions? It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the Opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the House.

    You can’t just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion, without any kind of consideration. Even budgetary grants have been passed without debate in the House. And this is the taxpayers’ money, which the representatives must have a say.

    How can democracy function like this? The government’s slogan seems to be either my way or no way. For the last three days, they have been asking for a discussion on the GST. Things like foodstuffs being taxed and prices going up because of new GST rules. You don’t allow a discussion and you don’t want to hear a point of view which is different from yours.

    It is the people suffering outside – common people, the voter, the taxpayer.

    There have also been questions about the need for an upper house, and it has been projected as an obstructionist House.

    The Upper House has seen stalwarts, who stood up, who fought, who differed, who attacked the government, and Indira Gandhi or whoever they wanted as prime minister. But there was debate, there was the right to speak and you’ve listened.

    After all, what is Parliament but a chamber for discussion, debate, and for working out compromises and consensus? The majority votes, let them vote, but the point of view of the minority in the House cannot be brushed aside.

    They are elected representatives of their states, of their constituencies.

    Your opponent has been a former Governor of West Bengal. Your assessment.

    He has been a Governor, I have been a Governor. He has been a lawyer and so am I. Well, he has been fighting a woman (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) in the state, and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars. He has also been an MP and a minister.

    He has also been known for his strong political positions.

    Therefore, he is being rewarded. I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind, once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can’t sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional.

    It is rather strange that none of your children is in politics, whereas you come from a political family.

    My youngest son is in politics. My parents-in-law were the first couple in Parliament, both were freedom fighters.

    What is your take on dynastic politics, because the prime minister has been attacking family-based parties.

    How many are there in the BJP? I don’t want to name them.

    Every single political party has its quota of family members who either succeed or come in after their parents or grandparents. If a doctor’s son or a lawyer’s son can join his profession, or a businessman’s son joins his business, what is wrong in family members coming in (politics).

    But they must come in by merit. They have to fight elections. They have to be accepted by the people. In a democracy, if the people elect you, you are in and if the people reject you, you are out. Both Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were defeated in the 1977 elections. The ultimate barometer is acceptance by people.

    Did you always want to be in politics or was it just by chance?

    I never imagined I would get into politics, though I was very active in the student movement. I married into a political family and came to Delhi. I had no intention, when I got married, of getting into politics.

    The 1969 split of the Congress sort of ignited young people to support Indira Gandhi. My mother-in-law died at that time and there was tremendous pressure to step in. The rest is history.

    How do you look back at your innings in politics?

    I must say that it was a different world when we came in. There was idealism, there was a commitment that we felt we had to fulfil. They were the early years of India’s independence. There were problems, but the spirit of a united nation without differences of community and religion. Caste politics has always been there.

    But, it wasn’t what it is today. There was tolerance, there was acceptance, there was understanding. If I may say so, a tolerant society. Today, it is frightening when I look around. It’s a different world altogether.

    You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time? Look at the Central Hall of Parliament.

    It was a place where you fought in the House but came out and sat together and joked, had a cup of coffee or tea or dosa together, and joked about the fight in the House.

    Now, people are afraid to sit. I had a couple of BJP friends with whom I had a cup of tea and I was told they were asked what they were talking about with me.

    Who has been your political mentor?

    Let me be honest – Indira Gandhi. She handpicked me for Parliament, after having heard me on a public platform in the state. And, of course, my parents-in-law with whom I worked very closely.

    But let me make it very clear that after the 1969 split, I have risen from a block president, which is the lowest unit of the Congress party, and have held every post and became a general secretary.

    But the opportunity was given to me by my party and its leadership. I became an MP, a minister and a general secretary.

    Hard work, commitment, and honest politics have been my watchword.

    NEW DELHI: The joint Opposition candidate for the vice presidential election Margaret Alva may be fighting a lost battle with numbers firmly stacked against her and due to the growing disunity among non-BJP parties, but she has said she is hardly perturbed and feels the numbers can always swing.

    “We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers, so we won’t fight an election,” she added.

    With less than a fortnight to go for the August 6 vice presidential election, the former governor told PTI in an interview Mamata Banerjee has “enough time” to rethink her party Trinamool Congress’ decision to abstain from the poll.

    The multi-term parliamentarian also shared her thoughts about the changes she has witnessed over the years in public life.

    “It is frightening when I look around,” she says.

    “You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?” she says.

    Alva will launch her campaign for the poll Monday afternoon, meeting MPs of various parties in the Central Hall of Parliament Excerpts from the interview:

    The numbers in the electoral college are clearly stacked against the Opposition and some ask why contest a losing battle?

    Because the numbers are stacked against us, we should not fight the election? I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now in the electoral college.

    We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge.

    I was approached by the opposition parties to be their representative in this election, and though I had gone back to Bangalore and settled in, I thought this challenge had to be faced and I said yes.

    We all understand winning and losing are part of an election.

    The Opposition TMC has said that they will abstain from the vice presidential poll. How do you see their position?

    I am aghast at that announcement. Mamata (Banerjee) has been leading the entire movement to unite the Opposition. She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind.

    Does this not expose disunity in the Opposition?

    It’s like a family quarrel. There are sometimes differences, different perceptions, and maybe different situations. But, we will sit and talk and sort it out. She is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen.

    She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win.

    The recent presidential poll has also exposed a lot of chinks in the Opposition. There was cross-voting in several states in favour of NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu.

    The same thing can happen and votes can come to this side. Cross-voting is something which has become the rule of the day. The idea of electing a tribal woman, I think, played a very important part and she deserves to become the President.  I congratulate her.

    She was the first tribal woman candidate and I am the first woman vice presidential candidate from the South.

    What is your objective in contesting this vice presidential poll knowing already what the outcome would be?

    The objective is not mine. The Opposition parties wanted a person who was acceptable to all of them and they requested me to be their candidate. And though the numbers are stacked against the Opposition at the moment, I said yes and accepted the challenge.

    We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers so we don’t fight an election. And in an election like this, the numbers can swing.

    Yashwant Sinha, the Opposition candidate in the recently-concluded presidential poll, alleged there was the use of money power in the election.

    The tragedy is that in today’s democratic system, it is not the mandate of the people that prevails. Take Karnataka, take Maharashtra, take Madhya Pradesh. In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework.

    You have been an accomplished politician and served as governor of four states. Do you think it would reflect better on national unity if the president and vice president were elected by consensus?

    I agree. The government should, therefore, think of supporting me.

    It would have been good if a consensus would have been worked out for both these posts by negotiating with all the parties.

    How do you view the emphatic win of Droupadi Murmu?

    I think it was a foregone conclusion because the MLAs also voted and the BJP had also the states. Yet, I must say Mr Sinha put up a very impressive fight. He raised issues and points which are of concern to the country today. There are always differences of opinion, even between the BJP and its allies on many issues.

    Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together. Before the general elections, I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024. There might be ups and downs, differences. But the intention is clear. They are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected.

    We do not want a one-party rule.

    You have been a presiding officer in both the Houses of Parliament, what do you have to say on the politics of disruptions emerging as a regular feature in Parliament.

    It is very unfortunate.

    But the point is why are there disruptions? It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the Opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the House.

    You can’t just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion, without any kind of consideration. Even budgetary grants have been passed without debate in the House. And this is the taxpayers’ money, which the representatives must have a say.

    How can democracy function like this? The government’s slogan seems to be either my way or no way. For the last three days, they have been asking for a discussion on the GST. Things like foodstuffs being taxed and prices going up because of new GST rules. You don’t allow a discussion and you don’t want to hear a point of view which is different from yours.

    It is the people suffering outside – common people, the voter, the taxpayer.

    There have also been questions about the need for an upper house, and it has been projected as an obstructionist House.

    The Upper House has seen stalwarts, who stood up, who fought, who differed, who attacked the government, and Indira Gandhi or whoever they wanted as prime minister. But there was debate, there was the right to speak and you’ve listened.

    After all, what is Parliament but a chamber for discussion, debate, and for working out compromises and consensus? The majority votes, let them vote, but the point of view of the minority in the House cannot be brushed aside.

    They are elected representatives of their states, of their constituencies.

    Your opponent has been a former Governor of West Bengal. Your assessment.

    He has been a Governor, I have been a Governor. He has been a lawyer and so am I. Well, he has been fighting a woman (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) in the state, and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars. He has also been an MP and a minister.

    He has also been known for his strong political positions.

    Therefore, he is being rewarded. I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind, once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can’t sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional.

    It is rather strange that none of your children is in politics, whereas you come from a political family.

    My youngest son is in politics. My parents-in-law were the first couple in Parliament, both were freedom fighters.

    What is your take on dynastic politics, because the prime minister has been attacking family-based parties.

    How many are there in the BJP? I don’t want to name them.

    Every single political party has its quota of family members who either succeed or come in after their parents or grandparents. If a doctor’s son or a lawyer’s son can join his profession, or a businessman’s son joins his business, what is wrong in family members coming in (politics).

    But they must come in by merit. They have to fight elections. They have to be accepted by the people. In a democracy, if the people elect you, you are in and if the people reject you, you are out. Both Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were defeated in the 1977 elections. The ultimate barometer is acceptance by people.

    Did you always want to be in politics or was it just by chance?

    I never imagined I would get into politics, though I was very active in the student movement. I married into a political family and came to Delhi. I had no intention, when I got married, of getting into politics.

    The 1969 split of the Congress sort of ignited young people to support Indira Gandhi. My mother-in-law died at that time and there was tremendous pressure to step in. The rest is history.

    How do you look back at your innings in politics?

    I must say that it was a different world when we came in. There was idealism, there was a commitment that we felt we had to fulfil. They were the early years of India’s independence. There were problems, but the spirit of a united nation without differences of community and religion. Caste politics has always been there.

    But, it wasn’t what it is today. There was tolerance, there was acceptance, there was understanding. If I may say so, a tolerant society. Today, it is frightening when I look around. It’s a different world altogether.

    You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time? Look at the Central Hall of Parliament.

    It was a place where you fought in the House but came out and sat together and joked, had a cup of coffee or tea or dosa together, and joked about the fight in the House.

    Now, people are afraid to sit. I had a couple of BJP friends with whom I had a cup of tea and I was told they were asked what they were talking about with me.

    Who has been your political mentor?

    Let me be honest – Indira Gandhi. She handpicked me for Parliament, after having heard me on a public platform in the state. And, of course, my parents-in-law with whom I worked very closely.

    But let me make it very clear that after the 1969 split, I have risen from a block president, which is the lowest unit of the Congress party, and have held every post and became a general secretary.

    But the opportunity was given to me by my party and its leadership. I became an MP, a minister and a general secretary.

    Hard work, commitment, and honest politics have been my watchword.

  • ED questions former Bengal Education Minister in SSC scam, seizes Rs 20 crore from aide

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA:  A day after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of misusing central agencies against her party leaders, Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths arrived at former education minister and party secretary general Partha Chatterjee’s house in Kolkata on Friday and interrogated him for nearly 10 hours over alleged irregularities in recruitment of teachers in schools through the School Service Commission. 

    The ED recovered Rs 20 crore from one of the locations, owned by a woman known to Chatterjee. “During the course of searches, the ED recovered Rs 20 crore cash from the residential premises of Arpita Mukherjee. The sum is suspected to be proceeds of SSC scam,” ED stated.

    ED teams, comprising 80 personnel, conducted simultaneous raids at 13 locations, including houses of state minister Paresh Adhikari in Cooch Behar and former advisor of SSC’s screening committee Santi Prasad Sinha.

    Chatterjee, who is now the commerce and industries minister, has been interrogated by the CBI twice in this case.

    While he could not be contacted, Adhikari said, “I am in Kolkata. I heard that ED officials reached my house but I don’t know the details.’’

    Besides, they carried out simultaneous raids in the houses of former advisor of the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) Shanti Prasad Sinha, ex-president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Kalyanmoy Ganguly and nine others, the official said.

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

    The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam.

    “ED is carrying out search operations at various premises linked to recruitment scam in the West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Primary Education Board,” the agency said on its official Twitter handle.

    The agency shared four photographs of piles of cash in the denomination of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 besides a number of sealed packets inside a room, without disclosing the quantity or the owner of the place.

    ED sources, however, said that around Rs 20 crore in cash and more than 15 mobile phones were seized from the residence of a woman, a close associate of Chatterjee, in the city’s Tollygunge area following a raid there in the evening, an official said.

    It is learnt that she has acted in several Bengali, Odia and Tamil films in recent years.

    At least 7-8 ED officials reached the Naktala residence of Chatterjee, the former education minister, at around 8:30 am with a few CRPF personnel keeping guard outside.

    They questioned him for more than 11 hours about the alleged scam.

    At one point of time, the senior Trinamool Congress leader complained of uneasiness following which a team of doctors from the state-run SSKM Hospital were called by the ED sleuths, a source said.

    “An ECG was conducted on the minister and his condition was stable,” said the source, who is close to the minister.

    During the interrogation, ED officials took away mobile phones of the minister’s personal assistant as well as the security guards.

    Chatterjee, currently industries and commerce minister, held the education portfolio when the scam was allegedly pulled off.

    He was interrogated by the CBI twice earlier, once on April 26 and then on May 18.

    Raids were also conducted at the residence of one of Chatterjee’s close associates at Pingla in Paschim Medinipur district, an official of the ED said, though he declined to comment whether the raid was in connection with the probe into the same scam or not.

    The agency sleuths, who raided Adhikari’s residence at Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar district questioned his family members including his daughter Ankita Adhikari in his absence, he stated.

    Ankita recently lost her job as an assistant teacher at a government school where she was appointed through the SSC two years ago after it was found “illegal” by the high court.

    Adhikari who had also been grilled by the CBI earlier told reporters in Kolkata he could not get in touch with his family over the phone.

    “They did not intimate us about the visit to our house today. I am in Kolkata in connection with the July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally of the TMC. Had I been around, I would have treated them to muri (puffed rice),” he said.

    ED sleuths also carried out simultaneous raids at the residences of former chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, Manik Bhattacharya, as well as the board’s interim-president Ratna Chakraborty Bagchi, who is also its secretary.

    The TMC described the concerted raids as a “ploy” by the BJP government at the Centre to harass political opponents.

    “This raid by ED, a day after the spectacular Martyrs’ Day rally that created ripples all over the country, is nothing but an attempt to harass and intimidate leaders of the TMC. “The CBI has already interrogated them (ministers) as part of a court directive and they are cooperating. Now, the ED is being invoked only to discredit them. The money laundering issue is being invented by the BJP,” senior TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim said.

    The BJP, however, alleged that the TMC aided large-scale anomalies in the recruitment process of teachers at the primary, upper primary and secondary levels since coming to power in the state.

    “TMC leaders and people close to them duped lakhs of qualified youths and handed over their jobs to ineligible ones. The CBI and ED are progressing on the right path. More skeletons will tumble out of the cupboard. The BJP has no role to play in the issue,” the saffron party’s national vice-president, Dilip Ghosh, added.

    (With PTI Inputs)

    KOLKATA:  A day after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of misusing central agencies against her party leaders, Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths arrived at former education minister and party secretary general Partha Chatterjee’s house in Kolkata on Friday and interrogated him for nearly 10 hours over alleged irregularities in recruitment of teachers in schools through the School Service Commission. 

    The ED recovered Rs 20 crore from one of the locations, owned by a woman known to Chatterjee. “During the course of searches, the ED recovered Rs 20 crore cash from the residential premises of Arpita Mukherjee. The sum is suspected to be proceeds of SSC scam,” ED stated.

    ED teams, comprising 80 personnel, conducted simultaneous raids at 13 locations, including houses of state minister Paresh Adhikari in Cooch Behar and former advisor of SSC’s screening committee Santi Prasad Sinha.

    Chatterjee, who is now the commerce and industries minister, has been interrogated by the CBI twice in this case.

    While he could not be contacted, Adhikari said, “I am in Kolkata. I heard that ED officials reached my house but I don’t know the details.’’

    Besides, they carried out simultaneous raids in the houses of former advisor of the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) Shanti Prasad Sinha, ex-president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Kalyanmoy Ganguly and nine others, the official said.

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

    The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam.

    “ED is carrying out search operations at various premises linked to recruitment scam in the West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Primary Education Board,” the agency said on its official Twitter handle.

    The agency shared four photographs of piles of cash in the denomination of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 besides a number of sealed packets inside a room, without disclosing the quantity or the owner of the place.

    ED sources, however, said that around Rs 20 crore in cash and more than 15 mobile phones were seized from the residence of a woman, a close associate of Chatterjee, in the city’s Tollygunge area following a raid there in the evening, an official said.

    It is learnt that she has acted in several Bengali, Odia and Tamil films in recent years.

    At least 7-8 ED officials reached the Naktala residence of Chatterjee, the former education minister, at around 8:30 am with a few CRPF personnel keeping guard outside.

    They questioned him for more than 11 hours about the alleged scam.

    At one point of time, the senior Trinamool Congress leader complained of uneasiness following which a team of doctors from the state-run SSKM Hospital were called by the ED sleuths, a source said.

    “An ECG was conducted on the minister and his condition was stable,” said the source, who is close to the minister.

    During the interrogation, ED officials took away mobile phones of the minister’s personal assistant as well as the security guards.

    Chatterjee, currently industries and commerce minister, held the education portfolio when the scam was allegedly pulled off.

    He was interrogated by the CBI twice earlier, once on April 26 and then on May 18.

    Raids were also conducted at the residence of one of Chatterjee’s close associates at Pingla in Paschim Medinipur district, an official of the ED said, though he declined to comment whether the raid was in connection with the probe into the same scam or not.

    The agency sleuths, who raided Adhikari’s residence at Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar district questioned his family members including his daughter Ankita Adhikari in his absence, he stated.

    Ankita recently lost her job as an assistant teacher at a government school where she was appointed through the SSC two years ago after it was found “illegal” by the high court.

    Adhikari who had also been grilled by the CBI earlier told reporters in Kolkata he could not get in touch with his family over the phone.

    “They did not intimate us about the visit to our house today. I am in Kolkata in connection with the July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally of the TMC. Had I been around, I would have treated them to muri (puffed rice),” he said.

    ED sleuths also carried out simultaneous raids at the residences of former chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, Manik Bhattacharya, as well as the board’s interim-president Ratna Chakraborty Bagchi, who is also its secretary.

    The TMC described the concerted raids as a “ploy” by the BJP government at the Centre to harass political opponents.

    “This raid by ED, a day after the spectacular Martyrs’ Day rally that created ripples all over the country, is nothing but an attempt to harass and intimidate leaders of the TMC. “The CBI has already interrogated them (ministers) as part of a court directive and they are cooperating. Now, the ED is being invoked only to discredit them. The money laundering issue is being invented by the BJP,” senior TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim said.

    The BJP, however, alleged that the TMC aided large-scale anomalies in the recruitment process of teachers at the primary, upper primary and secondary levels since coming to power in the state.

    “TMC leaders and people close to them duped lakhs of qualified youths and handed over their jobs to ineligible ones. The CBI and ED are progressing on the right path. More skeletons will tumble out of the cupboard. The BJP has no role to play in the issue,” the saffron party’s national vice-president, Dilip Ghosh, added.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • BJP takes out rally in Mahua Moitra’s constituency, seeks her arrest for remarks on Goddess Kali

    By PTI

    KRISHNA NAGAR: Leader of Opposition in Bengal and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Monday took out a rally in TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s Krishnanagar constituency to protest against her recent remarks on Goddess Kali.

    Adhikari and several BJP leaders, during the rally, raised slogans against Moitra and sought her arrest for “hurting sentiments” of Hindu devotees.

    Addressing the rally, he said, “Despite several complaints, the police and the state administration have been mute spectators. The people of this country and the Hindu devotees won’t tolerate the insult of Goddess Kali.”

    “The TMC government and the state police have been very active in seeking action against Nupur Sharma. But they have not taken any step against Moitra. There can’t be a different set of rules for BJP and TMC leaders. We will wait for a few days and then move the court,” the saffron camp MLA said.

    The parliamentarian triggered a controversy last week as she said that she had every right as an individual to imagine Goddess Kali as a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting goddess, and that each person had his or unique way of offering prayers.

    The TMC had condemned the remark and said that it did not endorse the TMC MP’s views in any way.

    Moitra is a first-time MP from the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat.

    Taking to Twitter later in the day, Adhikari said, “We reverentially worship Goddess Kaali as Shakti, primordial, nurturing, destructive (towards evil forces) also loving & benevolent. @AITCofficial MP Mohua Moitra’s abhorrent comments & her obnoxious portrayal & characterization of Maa Kaali has offended all Hindus devotees.”

    He claimed that the police inaction against Moitra went on to show Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party’s “disregard for Hindu Bengali sentiments”.

    “@WBPolice’s inaction against her proves @MamataOfficial’s acquiescence & brazen disregard for Hindu Bengali sentiments. To protest against disrespect to Maa Kaali & shielding Ms Moitra, led a procession & addressed a rally today at Krishnanagar; Nadia, her Electoral Constituency.” Adhikari wrote.

    Responding to the allegations, senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said the saffron camp was trying to politicise the issue.

    “The party has condemned Moitra’s remark and has stated that it doesn’t support it. The BJP is still trying to politicise the issue by mixing religion with politics,” he added.

    On Sunday, too, BJP’s IT cell chief and the party’s Bengal unit co-incharge Amit Malviya accused the CM of defending Moitra’s “obnoxious portrayal” of the deity.

    The Krishnanagar MP, without taking any name, had hit back saying that she “would advise BJP Troll-In-Charge for Bengal to tell his masters to stop commenting on things they have no clue about”.

    on Monday urged BJP to stop politicising the issue and refrain from mixing religion with politics.

    The BJP then wondered why no disciplinary action was taken against Moitra for her comment made on July 5 that that she had every right as an individual to imagine Goddess Kali as a meat-eating and alcohol-accepting deity, as each person had their unique way of offering prayers.

    The altercation between the two parties began afresh after the BJP’s IT chief Amit Malviya on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks reverentially about the goddess, while “a TMC MP insults her” and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, instead of acting against her, defends her “obnoxious portrayal” of Maa Kali.

    While virtually addressing a programme of Ramakrishna Mission on Sunday, Modi said Goddess Kali’s blessings are always with the country, which is moving ahead with a spiritual energy for the welfare of the world.

    Shortly after Malviya posted his statement on Twitter, Moitra hit back without naming anyone.

    “Would advise BJP Troll-In-Charge for Bengal to tell his masters to stop commenting on things they have no clue about. Didi O Didi got them the boot. Now Maa O Maa will get them a foot on their chest,” she tweeted.

    She was referring to the “Didi o Didi” taunt used by BJP leaders to mock West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is commonly referred to as Didi (elder sister) by her supporters, during the campaigning for the 2021 assembly polls.

    In a fresh tweet, Malviya who is also West Bengal’s co-in-charge, then claimed that Moitra is not obeying the party’s diktat on the issue.

    The TMC has earlier condemned the MP’s controversial comment.

    “Smarting under public rebuke from Mamata Banerjee, TMC MP is using repeat defiance on the issue of Maa Kaali to humiliate her, diminish her stature as a leader, knowing fully well that she wouldn’t be able to act against her, for fear of angering her Muslim vote bank,” he tweeted.

    Senior TMC MP Sougata Roy on Monday asked who is Malviya to comment on this matter.

    “The party has already condemned what Moitra had said. The party does not support what she said. But we don’t need lessons from the BJP. They should stop mixing religion with politics,” Sougata Roy said.

    West Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya wondered why the TMC is yet to take any disciplinary action against Moitra.

    “Neither Mahua Moitra has been summoned by the police nor any disciplinary action being taken against her. It seems the TMC has issued a statement condemning her remarks is a farce,” he said.

    Moitra made the controversial remarks at a conclave on July 5.

    She was responding to a question in connection with the outrage over a film poster, which shows a woman dressed as the deity smoking a cigarette and holding a pride flag.

    Police complaints have been made against Moitra for the remarks in various states.

  • ‘Why should we back Murmu in presidential poll?’ Trinamool MP on BJP letter seeking support

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Veteran TMC MP Saugata Roy on Friday said that he and other parliamentarians of his party have received a letter from the Bengal BJP leadership, seeking their support for NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.

    Roy, in the same breath, also said that lawmakers of his party would vote for joint non-BJP candidate Yashwant Sinha.

    Murmu, who had been touring states for electioneering, is scheduled to visit Kolkata to meet BJP MPs and MLAs from West Bengal.

    “We have received a letter signed by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of the opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari, urging us (TMC MPs) to support NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu for presidential polls. They have claimed that Murmu’s victory is certain, and we all should vote for her to strengthen democratic and constitutional norms,” Roy said.

    The veteran TMC MP, however, ruled out any possibility of backing Murmu.

    “Why should we support the NDA candidate when the opposition parties together have fielded Yashwant Sinha? We will vote for Sinha,” he said.

    Last month, Majumdar and Adhikari had written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to support Murmu in the July 18 presidential poll.

    The Bengal BJP had in June announced that it would write to all the TMC MPs and MLAs, seeking their support for the NDA nominee.

    Last week, Banerjee had said that Murmu, a tribal BJP leader from Odisha, could have been a consensus candidate had the saffron party discussed with the opposition parties before fielding her.

  • Will not rest till pro-Jihadi Mamata government is ousted, says Suvendu, Trinamool hits back

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday termed the TMC government in West Bengal as “pro-jihadi” and said he will not give up his fight against it till it is ousted and a “nationalist government” comes to power in the state.

    Adhikari and senior BJP leaders took part in a rally from Golpark to Hazra crossing during the day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

    His comment drew sharp reaction from the TMC which said it smacks of “frustration” of Adhikari and the saffron camp, which failed to clinch power in West Bengal despite the high pitch poll campaign.

    “We all know how Syama Prasad Mookerjee had fought and gave his life demanding the removal of special provisions in Kashmir. Drawing inspiration from his fight, the BJP in Bengal will continue its fight until the pro-Jihadi TMC government is ousted from power,” Adhikari said addressing the rally.

    “The day is not far away when we will succeed in ensuring a nationalist government comes to power in Bengal,” Adhikari said addressing the rally.

    The BJP leader also said “anti-national elements” are having a “free run” in West Bengal under the TMC regime.

    “The TMC government to appease its vote bank has turned into a mute spectator and is allowing these anti-national elements to call the shot. This situation has to change and we (BJP) will change it,” he said.

    Hitting back, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said Adhikari’s comments reflect his frustration as his dreams of becoming chief minister were “shattered” after the defeat that BJP suffered in the hands of Mamata Banerjee’s party in the state poll last year.

  • Mamata government to hand out loans to 67 lakh women SHGs ahead of panchayat polls

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA:  Hoping to strike a cord with women prior to the panchayat poll next year, the state government on Monday decided to provide financial assistance to 67 lakh women by offering them loan via self-help groups.

    Women proved to be the Trinamool Congress’ strong vote-bank in last year’s Assembly elections.

    As per plan, financial aid of Rs 17,000 crore will be given to 6.69 lakh self-help groups. In the previous financial year, the volume of financial assistance was Rs 13,000 crore.

    Prior to the 2021 elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had promised to give monthly dole for women homemakers.  

    After TMC won for a third straight term, she launched the ‘Lakhir Bhandar’, which offers monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 for SC and ST women, and Rs 500 for others.

    According to a TMC leader, “The promise before the Assembly elections proved to be her masterstroke in consolidating women votes in TMC’s favour. Now, the additional Rs 4,000 crore grant for self-help groups is aimed to retain this support for the panchayat polls.”

    The self-help groups in south Bengal districts will be given a target of over Rs 1,000 crore each.

    “These districts are considered our bastions,’’ said the leader.

  • ‘What about Adhikaris, Scindias and Vijayvargiyas?’ Trinamool mocks Shah’s vow to end ‘dynasty rule’

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Slamming Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his comment that the BJP will end “family rule” in West Bengal and Telangana, the TMC on Sunday asserted that people of the eastern state rejected the “divisive politics” of the saffron camp in the assembly elections last year and voted the Mamata Banerjee-led party to power for the third consecutive term.

    In his address at the BJP national executive meeting in Hyderabad, Shah called for ending the politics of dynasty, casteism and appeasement.

    He also said the party will end “family rule” in Telangana and West Bengal and form governments in states where power has so far remained out of its reach.

    Reacting to Shah’s comments, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “If the BJP holds a mirror to itself, the party will see how it has been abetting politics of dynasty. It inducted the entire Adhikari family of Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district in its fold – Suvendu and his two brothers – and Amit Shah had invited Suvendu’s father Sisir Adhikari in his public meeting. And what about the Scindia family and Kailash Vijayvargiya’s son? In Trinamool Congress, no such things happen.”

    He also claimed that “Shah, whose dream to occupy power in West Bengal was not fulfilled in 2021”, is yet to “digest the humiliating defeat” in the last year’s assembly polls.

    “His comments stem from frustration and desperation,” the TMC leader said.

    The TMC won 213 assembly seats in the last year’s polls, while the BJP bagged 77.

    Later, several saffron camp legislators joined the ruling party.

    Briefing reporters on the Shah’s speech, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the union home minister cited the BJP’s win in a series of polls to assert that it underlined people’s approval of the party’s “politics of development and performance”.

    Ghosh also criticised Sarma for “making political statement at the BJP’s national executive meeting at a time when people of his state are affected by floods”.

    “When Assam is reeling under major floods, and lakhs of people are hit by the deluge, the chief minister of the state is busy with making political statement at his party’s meet instead of standing by the side of those who elected him. Here lies the difference between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP”.