Tag: West Bengal Elections 2021

  • ‘Confront BJP-hired goons with ladle and spatula’: Mamata Banerjee tells women in West Bengal

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Alleging that the BJP was bringing in goons from outside to stop people from exercising their franchise in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged women to “confront the hoodlums with ladle, spatula” and other cooking utensils.

    Addressing two public rallies at Narayangarh and Pingla in West Midnapore district, the TMC boss dubbed bte noire Suvendu Adhikari and his family as “traitors”, and claimed that one member of the household was seen distributing money among people on Friday night, hours before 30 assembly constituencies of the state went to polls.

    “Yesterday, one of the Adhikari brothers was seen distributing money…Women in the area caught him red-handed and asked the police to arrest him. They also handed over 30 goons, all hired from outside, to the police,” she said.

    Banerjee asserted that the saffron party’s fate will be sealed after the first phase of polls.

    “The BJP is bringing in goons from outside Bengal to places where the party has some foothold. I will urge the women of the state to come out with ‘hata and khunti’ (ladle and spatula) and confront the hoodlums.”

    Assembly polls LIVE | Mamata questions PM Modi’s Bangladesh visit, says violation of poll code

    She further requested the Election Commission to ensure that the assembly polls are conducted in a fair manner.

    “Delhi’s Amit Shah wants to conduct the polls in Bengal. With due respect to the Election Commission, I urge the poll body to see to it that the elections are held in a free, fair and impartial manner,” the CM underlined, taking a swipe at the home minister.

    The TMC chief also said that she will be putting up in Purba Medinipur’s Nandigram constituency, where polls are scheduled on April 1, to keep an eye on the activities of ‘Mir jafars’ (traitors).

    Three members of the Adhikari family — which wields considerable influence in Purba Medinipur — have quit the TMC and joined the saffron camp over the past few months.

    Banerjee is locked in a fierce battle against her former lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram.

    “I was responsible for giving them plump positions in public offices. they, however, betrayed the TMC and crossed over to the BJP…they were lured with money,” she added.

  • ‘Confront BJP-hired goons with ladla and spatula’: Mamata Banerjee tells women in West Bengal

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Alleging that the BJP was bringing in goons from outside to stop people from exercising their franchise in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged women to “confront the hoodlums with ladle, spatula” and other cooking utensils.

    Addressing two public rallies at Narayangarh and Pingla in West Midnapore district, the TMC boss dubbed bte noire Suvendu Adhikari and his family as “traitors”, and claimed that one member of the household was seen distributing money among people on Friday night, hours before 30 assembly constituencies of the state went to polls.

    “Yesterday, one of the Adhikari brothers was seen distributing money…Women in the area caught him red-handed and asked the police to arrest him. They also handed over 30 goons, all hired from outside, to the police,” she said.

    Banerjee asserted that the saffron party’s fate will be sealed after the first phase of polls.

    “The BJP is bringing in goons from outside Bengal to places where the party has some foothold. I will urge the women of the state to come out with ‘hata and khunti’ (ladle and spatula) and confront the hoodlums.”

    Assembly polls LIVE | Mamata questions PM Modi’s Bangladesh visit, says violation of poll code

    She further requested the Election Commission to ensure that the assembly polls are conducted in a fair manner.

    “Delhi’s Amit Shah wants to conduct the polls in Bengal. With due respect to the Election Commission, I urge the poll body to see to it that the elections are held in a free, fair and impartial manner,” the CM underlined, taking a swipe at the home minister.

    The TMC chief also said that she will be putting up in Purba Medinipur’s Nandigram constituency, where polls are scheduled on April 1, to keep an eye on the activities of ‘Mir jafars’ (traitors).

    Three members of the Adhikari family — which wields considerable influence in Purba Medinipur — have quit the TMC and joined the saffron camp over the past few months.

    Banerjee is locked in a fierce battle against her former lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram.

    “I was responsible for giving them plump positions in public offices. they, however, betrayed the TMC and crossed over to the BJP…they were lured with money,” she added.

  • TMC delegation asks EC to bring back rule which allowed parties to appoint only locals as poll booth agents

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: A Trinamool Congress delegation, led by MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Saturday urged the Election Commission to bring back the rule which enjoined upon political parties to appoint only people, registered as voters in an assembly segment where an election booth was located, as polling agents for that booth.

    The rule had been relaxed last week to allow agents to be appointed from any part of an assembly constituency.

    Bandyopadhyay told reporters after meeting Chief Electoral officer Aariz Aftab that only locals, living in the assembly segment where the booth was located should be appointed as polling agents by parties “as was the practice earlier.”

    Assembly polls LIVE | CPM leader Sushanta Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari’s brother’s car attacked in Bengal

    “After representations by BJP, the Election Commission has changed the long established tradition of asking parties to have polling agents from the same locality and this has caused a lot of problems in the booths in the first phase as many of the agents don’t even know each other,” he said.

    The TMC has hence urged CEO to revert to the earlier practice of having polling agents of the same locality which will also minimise the chance of discrepancies and ensure fair polling in the remaining seven phases, he added.

    To a question on EC reaction to TMC’s demands, Bandyopadhyay said “the CEO listened to our points. But did not say much.”

    Asked if he expected a favourable response from EC, he said “our job is to point out issues to them. We believe in democratic traditions.”

    Reacting to claims by BJP that TMC is scared of the outcome as it is fast losing support, Bandyopadhyay said “after May 2 it will be amply clear who the populace prefers.”

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  • Mamata deprived Bengal farmers of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi benefits: Sambit Patra

    By ANI
    KHARAGPUR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra targetted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over depriving the state farmers of the Central government scheme ‘PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi’.

    “Mamata Banerjee blocked the benefits to farmers envisioned by the central government through PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. Farmers applied, but the state government didn’t approve,” Patra alleged.

    “I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing this from the land of West Bengal that we will implement the Kisan Samman Nidhi in the state when will come to power along with the arrears from the day it was implemented in the rest of the country,” he added.

    He also highlighted that the BJP would give Rs 10,000 yearly to 75 lakh farmers of West Bengal.

    “Central government gives Rs 6000 per year to farmers. If we come to power, our state government will add Rs 4000 to that sum,” Patra further added.

    West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. Counting of votes will take place on May 2.  

  • BJP govt closing down central concerns; PM’s ‘factory of lies’ alone will remain: Mamata

    West Bengal chief minister claimed that BJP governments in the two northeastern states have rendered thousands of government employees jobless.

  • Police register suo motu case in Bengal blast that killed a 7-year-old

    By PTI
    RASIKPUR: Police on Tuesday lodged a suo motu case at Rasikpur police station in Purba Bardhaman district in connection with the death of a child in a bomb blast here, a police officer said.

    A forensic team from Kolkata reached the spot and a large police contingent was deployed there to avoid any tampering of evidence, the officer said.

    Initial probe found that the bombs were kept in an earthen pot though sleuths were yet to detect it.

    “Preliminary probe is being conducted,” he added.

    A seven-year-old boy was killed and another child injured in a crude bomb explosion in Rasikpur’s Subhaspally area of Bardhaman city on Monday.

    Sheikh Afroz (7) and Sheikh Ibrahim (9) were playing near their house when they hit an object in which the crude bombs were kept, leading to the blast, Bardhaman police station’s inspector-in-charge Pintu Saha had said.

    Following the incident, the Election Commission sought a report from the state administration.

     

  • ‘BJP making false poll promise of free ration, will not fulfil it’: Mamata Banerjee tells voters

    By PTI
    KOTULPUR: Hitting out at the BJP over its promise to dole out “free” rice and pulses to people, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the saffron party makes “tall promises” ahead of elections, and never delivers.

    The TMC supremo, who held three poll rallies in Bankura district during the day, claimed that the BJP has “roped in goons to threaten people.

    These goons might visit households and ask women with folded hands to vote for them or face the threat of being herded out”.

    “The BJP peddles lies before elections. They promise rice, pulses, chakri (job), everything. After polls, they are nowhere to be seen. I want to know what happened to the party’s promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of every citizen (before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls).”

    “Be ready with cooking utensils to chase away such elements if they issue a veiled threat,” Banerjee said, addressing the women.

    She claimed that the saffron party has hired ‘borgis’ (plunderers) from outside to “loot votes”.

    Mocking the BJP’s promise of 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, the CM said, “They couldn’t take necessary steps to ensure 33 per cent female representation among elected representatives on different platforms.”

    “On the contrary, the TMC has already made sure that women get 50 per cent representation in panchayat and local bodies. Also 40 per cent of TMC representatives in Parliament are women.”

    The BJP, in its election manifesto released on Sunday, promised “KG to PG” free education, 33 per cent quota in government jobs, free travel in public transport for women, strict enforcement of the new citizenship law, and Rs three- lakh accident cover for farmers The party gave assurance that ‘Annapurna Canteen’ will be set up across the state to provide cooked food three times a day at Rs 5 per meal.

    It also said that subsidised ration would be doled out through the public distribution system — rice or wheat at Rs 1 per kg, dal at Rs 30 per kg, salt at Rs 3 per kg and sugar at Rs 5 per kg.

    Accusing the BJP of issuing diktats over food and clothes in states where the party is in power, the TMC chief said, “They (saffron camp leaders) dictate whether someone should wear a sari or any other attire. They decide if a pregnant woman should eat eggs.”

    If the BJP is elected to power, it will roll out the NPR and NRC exercises and remove names of bona-fide citizens from these registers, she said.

    “The party wants to change the history and geography of India. They change names of educational institutions at will. A cricket stadium in Gujarat has been named after PM Modi. One day they will change the name of our nation.”

    “Narendra Modi will soon be projected as someone bigger than Ambedkar. Even bigger than Tagore,” she claimed.

    Taking potshots at the saffron camp’s vow to free Bengal of corruption, Banerjee said, “We are yet to know the details of the money spent under PM Cares Fund. What all has been going on under the garb of disinvestment is no secret. I, on the other hand, don’t take single paise as salary. I have forfeited my allowance as a former MP, and as an MLA.”

    “Modibabu, you should explain why you are so eager to sell off stakes and close down Coal India, BSNL, MTNL and SAIL. Why you are so keen on closing down nationalised banks,” she pointed out.

    Training guns on the CPI(M) and the Congress, the feisty leader said that the two parties have entered into a deal with the BJP.

    “CPI(M) goons had unleashed terror in Kotulpur, Chomkaitala belts (in the 90s and early 2000), when I was an opposition leader. They had even attacked me when I visited the affected areas to be on side of victims families. Those same CPI(M) harmads (goons) have joined the BJP.”

    Talking about the injury she sustained on her foot during electioneering in Nandigram on March 10, the TMC boss claimed she was victim of a conspiracy hatched by rivals.

    “They had hit my head, my back, my hands and almost every part of my body in the past, you all (people) know that. This time, they (rivals) decided to target my leg to stop me from stepping out of home. But they don’t know Mamata Banerjee well,” she asserted.

    The CM, who addressed her second meeting at Indus, called upon party workers to stay alert when the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are put to test or faulty equipment is replaced.

    “Also, please don’t accept any food and cigarettes from a stranger during the voting exercise. Don’t go anywhere leaving the EVMs unguarded, no matter who asks you to,” she cautioned.

    The CM also urged the electorate to steer clear of people who offer gifts in exchange of votes.

    “I won’t ask you to reject the offer because anything that they are giving you has been bought with misappropriated public money. But do not vote for them,” she insisted.

    In a dig at BJP MP from Asansol Babul Supriyo, who has been fielded by the party from Tollygunje assembly seat, Banerjee, during the third meeting at Barjora, said, “Did he have to flee Asansol and move to Tollygunje, after having not done enough for his Lok Sabha constituency?”

    Apparently referring to TMC turncoats and parliamentarians who have been fielded as BJP candidates, Banerjee noted, “Some people want to achieve everything in life — they want to become MPs, MLAs, councillors as well as panchayat heads. They practise gaddari (betrayal) and rush to Delhi every now and then.”

    The CM further gave assurance that OBC communities which did not figure in Mandal Commission’s list will be registered by the state government, and a panel has been formed to look into the issue.

    She said 250 more madrasas will be set up in the state by her government to impart modern education to Muslim community children, and scholarships worth over Rs 2 crore are already in place for them.

    Banerjee also said that a dedicated freight corridor will be set up connecting several districts of south Bengal.

    It will foster economic activities and generate employment in several areas including Bankura, she added.

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  • ECI bars political appointees in Bengal municipal corporations from work

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has restrained political appointees serving as board administrators of West Bengal municipal corporations, whose term has ended, from discharging their functions until the model code of conduct is in force.

    ECI in its order on Saturday said the decision had been taken to avoid a situation wherein critical functions of the urban local bodies were discharged, thereby affecting a level-playing field during the operation of the model code of conduct or had the potential of giving rise to apprehension in the minds of the voters about the fairness and impartiality of the election process.

    The poll panel passed the order by using its plenary powers under Article 324.

    The Commission directed the Chief Secretary-led committee comprising Principal Secretary, Urban Development, and Principal Secretary Personnel would appoint the government officials to discharge the functions, in accordance with the EC instructions.

    “It is expected of Chief Secretary to ensure a level playing field in all other Municipal Bodies in the State of West Bengal by rigorous reviews of their decisions which can disturb the level playing field,” ECI said in its order.

    The Commission took the decision after it was brought to its notice that the municipal corporations whose terms had ended were being run by the erstwhile chairpersons(s)/mayor(s) who were politically affiliated and had been appointed on completion of their respective elected terms by the Government of West Bengal as Administrator(s)/Head of Board of Administrators.

    Elections to the 294-member state Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2. 

  • TMC’s Firhad Hakim steps down as Kolkata Municipal Corporation Chairman ahead of Bengal polls

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Firhad Hakim on Monday stepped down as the Chairman of Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

    The resignation has come after the Election Commission of India (ECI) has restrained political appointees serving as board administrators of West Bengal municipal corporations, whose term has ended, from discharging their functions until the model code of conduct is in force.

    ECI in its order on Saturday said the decision had been taken to avoid a situation wherein critical functions of the urban local bodies were discharged, thereby affecting a level-playing field during the operation of the model code of conduct or had the potential of giving rise to apprehension in the minds of the voters about the fairness and impartiality of the election process.

    West Bengal is witnessing a high-voltage battle between the BJP and the TMC for the upcoming Assembly polls.

    Elections to the 294-member state Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2. 

  • Mamata calls herself a donkey after Adhikari senior follows son into BJP

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA:  Shortly after Sisir Adhikari, TMC’s Contai MP and father of Suvendu Adhikari, joined the BJP in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called herself a “donkey” for not recognising the “true face” of traitors defecting to the saffron camp.Calling her once-trusted lieutenant Suvendu a traitor, Mamata, while addressing a rally in East Midnapore, said she has heard rumours that Adhikari family’s empire is worth Rs 5,000 crore.

    “Ami ekta boro gadha (I am a big donkey). I failed to recognise the faces of these traitors. I don’t know, but people say their empire is worth Rs 5,000 crore. I was not aware of it. They will use the money to buy votes. But don’t vote for them,” said Mamata.

    The Bengal CM and Suvendu are engaged in a fierce battle as they are facing each other in Nandigram in East Midnapore from where the TMC turncoat was elected in 2016. Suvendu’s father, who was vocal against Mamata and the TMC since his son changed his political alignment, shared the stage with Shah at Egra in the same district and joined the BJP. Suvendu’s brother Dibyendu is a sitting TMC MP in Tamluk in East Midnapore.

    Mamata vowed to probe the wealth of Adhikari family if she returns to power for the third consecutive term.Hitting hard at the Adhikaris, Mamata said the family ruled the district like zamindars (landlords) by taking full control of the area. “Even I was not allowed to hold public meetings in the district. Now my party is free from the traitors and I can visit any place in East Midnapore,” she said.