News Analysis India

Tag: West Bengal

  • mamata banerjee: Mamata Banerjee ‘mute spectator’ to violence against women in West Bengal: BJP

    New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday charged that ‘jungle raj’ prevailed in West Bengal and demanded resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the state was rocked by protests and clashes over the claims of sexual harassment of women in the state’s Sandeshkhali area. Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed there is “complete anarchy and lawlessness” in West Bengal under the TMC rule with Chief Minister Banerjee allegedly providing protection to her party goons who allegedly raped and exploited tribal women in Sandeshkhali.

    “There is jungle raj in West Bengal. Our sisters who belong to the scheduled tribes are being raped and assaulted by the TMC goons and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a mute spectator,” he charged.

    Bhatia said it is clear to every citizen that the rule of law doesn’t exist in West Bengal. “Rather it is the law of anarchic ruler Mamata Banerjee which prevails there,” he said.

    Banerjee has no right to remain in the post and, “If she had even a little bit of shame left , she should immediately tender her resignation,” she said.

    “If you do not resign, don’t underestimate people. You will be uprooted, that is for sure,” the BJP spokesperson added. Bhatia said the BJP will stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims of alleged sexual assault and take their fight for justice forward. The BJP leader alleged that West Bengal government is giving “protection to rapists and weakening police,”

    The situation is so bad that the Calcutta High Court had to take cognisance of it and issue a notice to the state government , he said.

    “Mamata Banerjee has become a ‘bhakshak’ (predator) from a ‘rakshak’ (protector),” Bhatia charged, asking her to step down as chief minister.

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  • ‘Submit Report On Sandeshkhali Violence’: West Bengal Governor Orders Mamata Govt |

    Kolkata: Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal, has become the latest flashpoint of political tension as Governor CV Anand Bose has now demanded a report on Friday’s violence from the Mamata Banerjee-led government. The Raj Bhavan’s directive, coupled with calls for action against the perpetrators, underscored the simmering discontent and accusations swirling around the incident.

    At the heart of the unrest lies a land dispute allegedly involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shivprasad Hazra. Angered by claims of forced land acquisition, villagers, including women leading marches, torched Hazra’s poultry farm. They were demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, accused of orchestrating a land ration allotment scam.

    The heavy police presence deployed to quell the protests proved insufficient to contain the villagers’ fury. The fiery act raised questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and fueled public outrage. “Investigations are underway to determine the cause behind the disturbances in Sandeshkhali over the past three days. All complaints received in the last two days are being thoroughly examined. It is not appropriate to make any statements at the moment, as the matter is under investigation. Adequate police forces are deployed in the area, and the situation is currently under control,” said ADG Law and Order for West Bengal, Manoj Verma.

    While investigations are underway, the blame game has already begun. TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh, pointed fingers at the opposition, claiming CPI(M) and BJP instigated the violence. Two arrests have been made, and Ghosh alleged the unrest is a ploy to divert attention from Mamata Banerjee’s upcoming announcement for MGNREGA workers.

    However, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari painted a different picture. He called the incident a repercussion of the state government’s actions, highlighting concerns about alleged suppression of democracy and silencing of dissent. Adhikari claimed the violence reflects the pent-up anger of the people simmering for years. “We do not support taking the law into one’s hands. What has been happening in the last 12 years there, it seems that democracy is over there. The right to vote and the right to voice one’s opinions is over. Whatever is happening is a normal turn of events. People were angry for a long time and that has come out,” Adhikari said.

    Amidst these opposing narratives, the truth remains under investigation. The Governor’s demand for a report indicates a seriousness to understand the root cause and ensure accountability. However, the political mudslinging threatens to overshadow the voices of the villagers and their grievances.

    Key questions linger: Was the land acquisition legitimate? Did authorities adequately address the villagers’ concerns? Was the violence pre-meditated, or a spontaneous outburst of frustration? Only a transparent and impartial investigation can provide answers and pave the way for a peaceful resolution.

  • Can implement UCC in BJP-ruled states, won’t happen in Bengal: TMC MP Saugata Roy

    On the day when the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill was tabled in the Uttarakhand State Assembly, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can do so in states ruled by their party but it will not be possible in West Bengal.

    “They can implement UCC in BJP-ruled states but it will not happen in West Bengal,” Roy said speaking to reporters at the Parliament premises on Tuesday.

    Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami tabled the Uniform Civil Code 2024 Bill in the State Assembly in Dehradun on Tuesday. The ongoing special four-day session of the assembly began on Monday.Speaking on the ongoing raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi, Roy said that it is an “old game” of the ruling government and it is their “main arm”.

    “That is an old game. ED is the main arm of the government. So they will continue to do so, so far they have not been able to prove any case,” the TMC MP said.

    The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at nearly 10 locations, including the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal secretary, among others connected to the Aam Aadmi Party.According to sources the raids are part of a money laundering probe being conducted by the agency. ED raid is also reportedly underway at the residence of AAP MP ND Gupta in Delhi.Speaking on the One Nation, One Election proposal sent by former President Ramnath Kovind, Roy said, “No. We have said that we are not (supporting One Nation One Election).”

    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was scheduled to attend a meeting on One Nation One Election on Tuesday, cancelled her trip citing the state budget.

    Earlier this month, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s proposal of ‘One nation, One election’, asserting that it would pave the way for “dictatorship and erode India’s diversity.”

    “Are you moving towards a presidential form of government? To put it clearly, it would mean that there is one king, one man, one ruler, one nation, one language, one food, and everything is the same,” CM Banerjee said.

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  • Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra hits roadblock; Mamata Banerjee attacks Congress

    The ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday could not complete the Murshidabad’s Kandi and Birbhum part fully in West Bengal due to the class 10 board examination. Later on, the yatra entered Jharkhand after crossing parts of Birbhum’s Murarai. The Congress leadership, however, emphasised on INDIA bloc’s fight against the BJP-RSS in the country.Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “There is only one party – Congress in the country – which has never supported BJP. That is why the INDIA bloc has been formed as we will fight together and defeat the BJP and RSS ideology. The INDIA bloc parties want to defeat BJP. Mamataji also said her priority is to defeat BJP. If there are differences, those can be ironed out.”In contrast to Congress’ mellowed stance, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee attacked the party and said, “We told Congress to fight 300 Lok Sabha seats across the country and give the rest to the regional parties. But they did not listen to us. They (Congress) came to Bengal and they are tinkling Muslims… BJP does this in the case of Hindus. This cannot happen. No one knows if they will win even 40 seats in the country,” Banerjee said.

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  • In Big Setback To INDIA Bloc, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC To Contest 2024 Polls Alone In Bengal |

    KOLKATA: In a huge setback to the Opposition INDIA bloc, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that her party TMC will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Bengal on all 42 seats. She further stated that TMC will consider a pan-India alliance with the Congress-led INDIA bloc only after the 2024 election results have been declared. Mamata has also reportedly instructed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and supporters to gear up for a fierce electoral battle on all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. During a meeting in Kalighat, Mamata asserted, “Be ready to fight on all seats. I wanted to leave two, but Congress wants twelve.”

    She added, “I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and, in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of the INDIA alliance.” 

    “I gave many proposals but they rejected them from the beginning. From then, we have decided to fight the elections in Bengal alone,” the TMC chief said.

     

    West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says “I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of… pic.twitter.com/VK2HH3arJI
    — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2024

     

    The Bengal Chief Minister also claimed that she had not been informed of Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra passing through Bengal, contrary to claims by the Congress that they had invited INDIA bloc parties to join the Yatra. “They did not even bother to inform me that they would be coming to West Bengal as a matter of courtesy even though I am a part of the INDIA bloc. So there is no relation with me as far as Bengal is concerned” Mamata Banerjee said.

    Warning Shots: TMC’s Seat-Sharing Deadlock

    With seat-sharing discussions with Congress yielding no results, Mamata had earlier cautioned that TMC is prepared to independently contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats if not given the “due importance.” This declaration sets the stage for a potential showdown within the INDIA bloc.

    Strategic Meeting In Murshidabad: Rallying The Troops

    Mamata’s message was delivered during a closed-door organisational meeting of the party’s Murshidabad district unit, known for its significant minority population and historical ties to the Congress. Emphasizing the need for victory in all three Lok Sabha seats in the district, Mamata urged TMC workers to be battle-ready.

    Congress’ Waning Influence: Bengal’s Political Chessboard

    In the 2019 general elections, Congress managed to retain only the Baharampur seat in West Bengal, highlighting its diminishing political foothold. The state’s political dynamics reveal a complex scenario with TMC, Congress, and CPI(M)-led Left Front allying against the BJP, creating rifts within the Opposition.

    The INDIA Bloc Turmoil: TMC’s Offer And Congress’ Rejection

    Tensions escalated as TMC reportedly offered Congress only two seats, a proposal rejected by the grand old party. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, state Congress president, emphasized that Congress would not “beg” for seats. The fallout raises concerns about the unity of the Opposition ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.

    Last week, the TMC abstained from an INDIA bloc virtual meeting, underscoring the necessity for Congress to recognize its limitations in West Bengal. The ruling party emphasized its role in spearheading the state’s political battle, hinting at growing discontent within the alliance.

    Historical Alliances: TMC’s Past Ties With Congress

    The Trinamool Congress had previously allied with Congress in the 2001 assembly polls, 2009 Lok Sabha elections, and the 2011 assembly polls, leading to the ousting of the CPI(M)-led Left Front government after 34 years. The current discord between TMC and Congress adds a new chapter to their political history. With Mamata’s decision to go alone, it now appears that the doors are closed for the Congress in Bengal. For the INDIA bloc, stitching together a formidable alliance has proven to be a stumbling block and it appears that now the alliance may not be able to put together a united front against the BJP.

  • ram mandir: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemns Babri Masjid demolition

    Kolkata: Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee slammed BJP for resorting to vote bank politics ahead of elections and dividing votes on the basis of religion, hinting at Ram Temple consecration ceremony on Monday. Banerjee condemned the Babri Masjid demolition and divisive politics and spoke about religious inclusiveness.

    The Trinamool Supremo kicked off a ‘harmony procession’ on Monday after offering puja to Goddess Kali at Kalighat Temple, on the day of ‘pran pratishtha’ in Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

    “When the election comes, a group of people try to sell the country for the sake of votebank. You (BJP without naming them) are doing politics in time of election…Where were they (BJP) when Babri Masjid was demolished and people died here. Many areas in Kolkata were burning. I provided relief to people voluntarily and helped both Hindu and Muslims. This is history and reality which youth must know,” Mamata Banerjee said while speaking at a public rally following the harmony procession.

  • Mamata Banerjee Announces Holiday On Prakash Purab In Bengal; Will It Benefit TMC?

    West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that the decision is Bengal government’s tribute to Guru Gobind Singh ji.

  • Will fulfil Shah’s Lok Sabha seat target in West Bengal: Majumdar

    The BJP’s West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar has flagged the issue of infiltration and said his party will contest the upcoming general election in the state on the planks of “large-scale corruption” of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the performance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

    “Infiltration is the biggest challenge faced by Bengal and it is a question of how the state can be saved,” Majumdar told ET in an exclusive interview. “The law and order situation is precarious in West Bengal, especially in some parts like the border area of Sandeshkhali. Demography in these bordering regions has completely changed over the years since independence. If we compare the census in 1947 and the last census in 2011, there is a huge change in the demography due to infiltration.”

    Poll Planks”We will fight the Lok Sabha polls on two issues – large-scale corruption of Trinamool Congress and PM Narendra Modi’s performance in the last few years and Modi’s developmental model,” Majumdar said.

    Talking about candidate selection for the upcoming polls, he said, “We will consider certain factors during candidate selection for Lok Sabha polls – whether they are associated with the party’s work actively, ideological background and clean image. These three factors will be considered with utmost importance during candidate selection.”

    While inducting new workers into the party, the BJP aims to focus on fresh faces with a clean image, he said. “Fresh faces will be taken into the party. We will not accept rotten potatoes. We will rather focus on fresh faces and karyakartas (workers) instead of leaders,” he said.The BJP has worked hard to build an organisational base in the state in the past few years, Majumdar said. “We have built a strong organisational structure and the number of people in the booths is far higher than that in 2019. We have become stronger and booths have also been strengthened. We will be able to fulfil the target set by Amit Shah for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.Shah has fixed a target of winning 35 out of the 42 seats in the state in the Lok Sabha polls. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP had won 18 seats, up from two seats in 2014.

    Rohingyas

    “There is a presence of Rohingyas in Sandeshkhali area. People like Shahjahan Sheikh have given place in the area to the Rohingyas in and around the fisheries and they are used by the Trinamool Congress politically. The Trinamool Congress government in Bengal is aware of it but they are silent on the matter. It is an open secret,” Majumdar said, adding that large tracts of areas where fisheries are run in Sandeshkhali and adjacent areas are a haven of illegal and anti-social activities.

    Talking about the central government’s intervention on AITC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, Majumdar said, “It should be an administrative decision as to what kind of central intervention is required to control these kind of incidents. The Centre should intervene in the matter depending on the law of the land.”

    Majumdar had written a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah last Friday, seeking intervention of the Centre and National Investigation Agency probe into the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials who went to raid Sheikh’s residence in connection with alleged Public Distribution System case. The officials were attacked and suffered serious injuries during the attack. “It is not only merely an attack on the Enforcement Directorate but an attack on the Constitution of India and sovereignty of the country,” said Majumdar.

  • Putting Aside Differences, Mamata Banerjee Invites PM Modi To Visit Ganga Sagar Mela |

    Kolkata: Keeping aside her political differences with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday extended a warm invitation to him to visit the Ganga Sagar Mela, an annual celebration during Makar Sankranti. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, she not only emphasized the event’s uniqueness but also appealed for its designation as a ‘National Fair.’

     

    West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appealing to him to declare Ganga Sagar Mela a National Fair. She also requests him to make a visit to Ganga Sagar. pic.twitter.com/hl3VktPYtb
    — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

     

    Unique Significance Of Ganga Sagar Mela

    Mamata highlighted the Ganga Sagar Mela as one of the “largest spiritual human congregations” globally, second only to Kumbh Mela. She described the geographical splendour of the event, taking place at the confluence of the mighty Ganga River and the Bay of Bengal, unmatched in the world. The Sagar Island, where the Mela is held, sits adjacent to the Sundarbans area.

    Historical And Religious Roots

    The Chief Minister delved into the historical roots of the Mela, tracing it back to a time when the Indian Oceanic network connected Eastern Indian trade with ancient Greco-Roman commerce. She underscored the religious significance, stating that the Ganga Sagar Mela has deep mythological and astrological connections, referenced in ancient Indian epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsham.

    A Global Pilgrimage Destination

    Mamata emphasized that Ganga Sagar Mela is the only such event organized on an island not connected to the mainland. Despite this, it attracts pilgrims from across the world and various Indian states, with almost 1 crore pilgrims visiting last year and expectations of surpassing that number this year.

    State Initiatives And Financial Challenges

    The Chief Minister outlined the state government’s initiatives to ensure the smooth and safe movement of pilgrims, fully funded by the state exchequer. She mentioned the substantial expenditures incurred by the state government to organize an event of this magnitude, currently without any contribution from the central government.

    Mamata disclosed that she had previously requested the central government to declare Ganga Sagar Mela as a ‘National Fair,’ equivalent to the recognized Kumbh Mela. However, a decision on this matter is still pending. In 2021, she raised concerns about the disparate financial support from the Centre, citing its funding for Kumbh Mela but not for Ganga Sagar Mela.

    Ganga Sagar Mela 2024

    The Ganga Sagar Mela for the year 2024 is scheduled from January 8-16, promising a spiritual and cultural extravaganza. The Chief Minister’s invitation to Prime Minister Modi not only highlights the cultural richness of the event but also seeks to elevate its status to a national level.

  • Magnitude Of PDS Scam In West Bengal ‘Enormous’, Likely To Be Around Rs 10,000 Cr: ED |

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday made startling revelations, saying that the magnitude of the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam in West Bengal is enormous and its investigation points to a massive scale of corruption. The central agency while claiming that the investigation carried out so far has unveiled the colossal magnitude of the scam said that the proceeds of crime transferred by a suspect are likely to be between Rs 9,000 – 10,000 Crore. Notably, a substantial amount, around Rs 2,000 Crore, is suspected to have been illicitly transferred to Dubai, either directly or through Bangladesh, the agency added.

    “The investigation carried out so far indicates that the magnitude of the scam is enormous, and the proceeds of crime received and further transferred and layered by one suspected person itself are suspected to be at least to the tune of Rs 9,000 – 10,000 Crore and out of that, Rs 2000 Crore were also suspected to be transferred to Dubai either directly or through Bangladesh,” the agency said according to ANI.

     

    On the alleged PDS scam in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate says, “The investigation carried out so far indicates that the magnitude of the scam is enormous, and the proceeds of crime received and further transferred and layered by one suspected person itself are…


    — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024

     

    Trinamool Congress Leader Remanded To ED Custody

    Shankar Adhya, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), who is at the centre of the alleged multi-crore scam in West Bengal, has been remanded to Enforcement Directorate custody for 14 days. He was arrested by the agency following ED searches at properties linked to him and his family members.

    Allegations Of Widespread Corruption

    During the court hearing, the ED asserted that the ration distribution scam involved widespread corruption amounting to at least Rs 10,000 crore. Shockingly, the probe agency revealed that a significant portion of this sum, nearly Rs 2,000 crore, was siphoned off to Dubai through Adhya’s company. The Enforcement Directorate disclosed that Shankar Adhya’s involvement surfaced through a letter from the arrested former Food Minister, Jyotipriya Mallick, who is also implicated in the ration corruption case.

    Foreign Exchange Firms Linked To Adhya Identified

    In response to queries from the court, the ED unveiled that as many as 90 foreign exchange firms connected to Adhya had been identified. Approximately Rs 2,000 crore was allegedly exchanged and sent abroad through these firms, primarily situated in border areas. The ED raised concerns in court about the potential misuse of these funds, questioning the likelihood of “anti-national activities.”

    Attack On ED After Adhya’s Arrest

    Following the arrest of Shankar Adhya, his supporters reportedly attempted to obstruct ED officials from taking him into custody. The situation escalated as supporters, led by women, tried to impede the officers, even resorting to stone-throwing. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel accompanying the ED officials intervened to bring the situation under control.

    This incident marked the second attack on the agency, reminiscent of the one in Sandeshkhali in the neighbouring South 24 Parganas district during a raid at the residence of TMC leader Sahajahan Sheikh in the same case. The challenges faced by the ED highlight the gravity of the allegations and the tense atmosphere surrounding the unfolding investigation.