Category: West Bengal

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Opposition attacks govt over Bengal train accident

Siliguri: Rescue operations underway after a goods train hit the Kanchanjunga Express travelling from Silchar, Assam to Sealdah, West Bengal from behind, in Darjeeling on Monday, June 17, 2024.Three compartments of the express train derailed under the impact of the collision. (IANS)

As news of the accident spread, social media platforms quickly became the battleground for political figures to express their outrage and demands for accountability…reports Asian Lite News

The Kanchenjunga Express tragedy in Bengal has reignited opposition fury, fresh from their recent gains in the general election. The accident, involving the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express, saw three coaches derail near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, when a goods train collided with it from behind. The incident resulted in nine fatalities and left 50 others injured. The severity of the situation could have been much worse if not for the placement of the parcel and guard’s coaches at the rear of the train.

As news of the accident spread, social media platforms quickly became the battleground for political figures to express their outrage and demands for accountability. Former railway ministers, including Lalu Yadav and Mamata Banerjee, alongside leaders from the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, were particularly vocal. They accused the government of gross negligence and demanded immediate responsibility be taken for the tragic incident.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attempted to address the situation by visiting the accident site in the afternoon. He acknowledged the gravity of the accident and assured that rescue operations were complete and efforts were now focused on restoration. However, he also called for a halt to political discourse, stating, “This is not the time for politics.”

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who served as the railway minister during two different terms under the UPA and NDA governments, criticized the current administration for prioritizing electioneering over railway safety and passenger amenities. She highlighted issues such as dirty bathrooms and poor bedding conditions, reflecting on the broader neglect of railway staff and infrastructure.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Yadav, who managed the railway portfolio during UPA’s first term, was quick to question the accountability for repeated railway accidents. His post on X (formerly Twitter) questioned who would take responsibility for the continuous accidents plaguing the country’s railways.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge spearheaded his party’s attack, accusing the BJP-led government of turning the Railway Ministry into a platform for self-promotion rather than addressing safety concerns. He emphasized that it is the duty of a responsible opposition to highlight the government’s failings, calling today’s tragedy a stark reminder of the alleged mismanagement.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for government accountability and improved safety measures. Priyanka Gandhi’s post underscored growing concerns about passenger safety, translating her message from Hindi to point out the consequences of central government negligence over the past decade. Senior Congress leader Deepender Hooda also reiterated these points to the media, criticizing the central government’s handling of railway safety.

Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) drew a comparison with past ministers, highlighting how Nitish Kumar resigned as Union railway minister following the 1999 Gasal train accident, contrasting this with Ashwini Vaishnaw’s tenure, which has seen multiple accidents without similar accountability. The NCP accused the current administration of using the railway ministry for promoting the Modi government rather than ensuring passenger safety.

The official Congress handle also detailed a list of major train accidents over the last decade, pointing to a consistent pattern of negligence and mismanagement. The opposition’s unified stance highlights a significant political pressure on the current government to address the systemic issues within the Indian Railways and take concrete steps towards improving safety and accountability.

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Mamata announces Rs 2,900 cr aid for farmers

Chief Minister announced that West Bengal is releasing ₹293 crore to aid 2.10 lakh farmers impacted by adverse Rabi weather…reports Asian Lite News

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced the release of Rs 2900 crore in financial assistance to 1.05 crore farmers of the state.

She added that the West Bengal government is also releasing Rs 293 crore for 2.10 lakh farmers who suffered crop losses due to adverse weather conditions during the current Rabi season.

“I am happy to announce that (apart from providing Rs. 2,900 cr. assistance to 1 crore 5 lakh farmers and bargadars across the state under the Krishak Bandhu Natun Scheme), we are also releasing today onwards a sum of Rs 293 crore directly to the bank accounts of our 2.10 lakh farmers who suffered crop losses due to adverse weather conditions during current Rabi season. This is done under our unique Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB) which is our unique crop insurance scheme where the State Government pays the entire premium for all crops,” she said in a post on X.

“Since inception in 2019, 3133 crore have reached the bank accounts of the affected one crore farmers! Jai Bangla!,” she said in the post.

“For cultivable land of one acre onwards, a farmer gets Rs 10000, and for lesser quantum of land, proportionate amount with minimum being Rs 4000 per year. Since inception in 2019, a sum of Rs 18,234 crore has thus reached the farmers’ accounts,” she said in another post.

“In addition, for a farmer dying between 18 and 60, his family gets death compensation of Rs 2 lakh. Total 1,12,000 bereaved families in West Bengal have received total Rs 2240 crore in last few years on this account. We are committed to our farmers’ economic betterment and social security,” she added in the post.

Yogyashree scheme

CM Banerjee asserted that the “Yogyashree” scheme, designed to offer free-of-cost training to SC/ST students of the state for admission in engineering and medical courses would now be extended to boys and girls of Minority, OBC and General categories also.

Taking to X, CM Mamata Banerjee shared, “We are proud that our “Yogyashree” scheme, which we started to provide completely free-of-cost training to SC/ST students of the state for admission in engineering and medical courses, has been yielding increasingly greater and greater benefits for our SC/ST boys & girls. Now we shall also include the boys and girls of Minority, OBC and General categories in this scheme.”

She further said that training would be provided from Class onwards for better preparation.

She further shared, “In 2024 alone these “Yogyashree” trainees got 23 ranks (including 13 IIT seats) in JEE (Advanced), 75 ranks in JEE (Main), 432 ranks in WBJEE, and 110 ranks in NEET. These achievements in these tough competitive examinations are better than even the earlier years’ results. In consideration of the value of this critical training support to our disadvantaged boys and girls, we have increased the number of centres in the State now to 50 and number of our supported trainees to 2000 and the training will be given from Class XI onwards for better preparation.”

She emphasised this scheme would bring out engineers and doctors in large numbers from the weaker section of the society.

“Let our boys and girls from the weaker sections be engineers and doctors in larger numbers. We shall now include students of Minority, OBC, and General categories in this scheme. Kudos to them!,” she further posted. (ANI)

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Modi, Didi spar in Bengal

The verbal war came ahead of the seventh phase of the general elections on June 1, when nine seats in state capital Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas are scheduled to go to the polls…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Mamata Banerjee clashed during the campaign trail in the battleground state of West Bengal on Tuesday as the two leaders addressed multiple rallies and held road shows to canvass voters ahead of the final phase of the general elections this weekend.

Speaking at two rallies in Baruipur and Barasat, Modi accused the Trinamool Congress government of appeasement politics and deceiving young people from other backward classes (OBC), pointing to a recent Calcutta high court ruling that scrapped OBC certificates to 77 groups since 2010. He also held a road show in north Kolkata.

Hours later, Banerjee, who held two foot marches cutting through the heart of Kolkata and addressed a rally, hit back as she reiterated her opposition to the controversial court order and accused Modi of lying to the people of India.

The verbal war came ahead of the seventh phase of the general elections on June 1, when nine seats in state capital Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas are scheduled to go to the polls. This is a crucial phase for both the Bharatiya Janata Party, which performed impressively in other parts of the state but drew a blank here in 2019, and the TMC, which is looking to defend its fortress in south Bengal.

With just four days to go, Modi slammed the TMC for apparently attacking the judiciary over the high court verdict. “I was taken aback. Questions are now being raised on the intention of the judges and the judiciary. I want to ask the TMC whether they would now unleash its goons on the judges. The entire nation is seeing how the TMC is throttling the judiciary,” Modi said at Barasat in North 24 Parganas.

Without naming Banerjee, Modi said the court exposed the “treachery” of the TMC. “The party snatched the rights of OBC youth to support its appeasement politics and vote jihad. The TMC has betrayed the OBCs of West Bengal,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said “he didn’t allow any scam to take place at the Centre”.

“Ten years ago, I gave a guarantee: Na khaunga, na khaane dunga. I didn’t allow a single scam to take place at the Centre in these 10 years. Now Modi is giving another guarantee to the country and to West Bengal in particular. Jisne khaya hai, use bahar nikalunga aur jiska khaya hai usko main lautaunga,” he said in Barasat.

Last week, the Calcutta high court scrapped OBC certificates awarded to 77 communities since 2010, an overwhelming majority of them Muslim, in West Bengal. observing that such reservations were “illegal”.

“Religion indeed appears to have been the sole criterion” for declaring these communities as OBCs, the court said, adding that it “is of the view that the selection of 77 classes of Muslims as backwards is an affront to the Muslim community as a whole”.

The state government has said that it will move the Supreme Court against the verdict.

“It is quite evident that TMC doesn’t like those who expose its treachery and lies. I am astonished to see how the party is questioning the judiciary. Don’t they have any faith in the judiciary and our Constitution?” Modi asked.

Hours later, Banerjee hit back.

“A few days back 1.5 million OBC certificates were scrapped. I don’t accept this order. I am a lawyer too. I can’t say anything against judges but I can speak against the judgment,” Banerjee said on Tuesday evening in Behala.

“He will be able to call himself Prime Minister for another week or so. After that he will have to use the word former. Today he said he monitored the cyclone from Delhi. It is a blatant lie. Does it suit him? Telling lies is not the PM’s constitutional right,” Banerjee said.

She was referring to the Modi’s statements in Barasat, where the Prime Minister said: “We all faced the cyclone with the blessings of Goddess Kali. The Union government was constantly monitoring it. I was also in constant touch. NDRF and other teams did a good job. The Centre is providing all help to the state.”

In the evening Modi held his first-ever road show in Kolkata. The vibrant cavalcade started from the Shyambazar crossing. He paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at a statue at Shyambazar before starting his roadshow.

The roadshow terminated at the ancestral residence of Swami Vivekananda on Simla Street in North Kolkata, with people thronging the route.

Banerjee, meanwhile, walked 9km in her two roadshows. In the first, she walked from Birati Banik More to Airport gate number two on Jessore Road. In the second, Banerjee walked from Entally Market in the northern part of the city to Ballygunge Phari in south Kolkata.

Earlier in the day, the PM mounted an attack on the TMC on multiple fronts, including alleged appeasement politics, corruption, opposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act, recent controversies involving some monks, and allegations of sexual assault on women in Sandeshkhali.

“The Trinamool has started abusing Hindu monks and ascetics. Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are respected all over the world. But TMC has started abusing them to carry forward its agenda of vote jihad,” he said.

He was referring to Banerjee’s statements on May 18 in which she had accused a section of monks of helping the BJP, prompting a raft of criticism. Banerjee later said that she wasn’t against the organisations.

Later in the day, in Baruipur, Modi asked the people to vote for the BJP.

“Ask 100 people as to which government is coming to power, 90 would tell you that the Modi government is coming. If it is certain that the Modi government is coming so why waste votes? Your votes should be used to strengthen the government at the Centre.”

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Didi’s offer to cook food for PM stirs row

Bongaon: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses an election rally for the Lok Sabha polls in Bongaon on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Photo: IANS)

The CPI(M) weighed in, hinting at a possible political alliance between the TMC and the BJP, while criticizing both Banerjee and Modi for intertwining politics with religion…reports Asian Lite News

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s unconventional offer to “cook food” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ignited a flurry of reactions across the political spectrum. Banerjee’s invitation, delivered with a hint of sarcasm, has been met with a blend of skepticism and support from various quarters.

Banerjee’s gesture came as a response to Prime Minister Modi’s recent remark accusing RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav of consuming fish during a Hindu fasting period. During an election rally, Banerjee took a dig at Modi’s alleged interference in dietary choices and expressed her willingness to prepare a meal for him.

While Banerjee’s supporters laud her culinary skills and defend her stance on individual dietary autonomy, critics, particularly from the BJP, have questioned the underlying motives. Former BJP state president Tathagata Roy mocked Banerjee’s offer, suggesting she first extend it to her lieutenant Firhad Hakim.

“Mamata Banerjee wants to feed Modi ji with fish and rice cooked by her. Good proposal. But before that, why doesn’t she first offer pork chop to her lieutenant Firhad Hakim? It will serve three purposes, secularism will be asserted, it will show charity begins at home and the fritters will also be praised,” Roy posted on X.

The CPI(M) weighed in, hinting at a possible political alliance between the TMC and the BJP, while criticizing both Banerjee and Modi for intertwining politics with religion. However, the TMC stood by Banerjee, emphasizing her defense of India’s religious and cultural diversity.

In the midst of these divergent perspectives, the debate over Banerjee’s offer underscores broader issues of political rhetoric, individual rights, and the delicate balance between religious freedom and political agendas in India.

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Attack on probe team heat up Bengal politics

Bhupatinagar, Apr 06 (ANI): Protestors allegedly tried to stop the NIA team from taking the accused persons along with them while carrying out an investigation in connection with the Bhupatinagar, East Medinipur blast case, in Bhupatinagar on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

Modi also said that the situation in the state is such that “the court has to intervene” in various matters…reports Asian Lite News

The political slugfest over alleged attacks on officials belonging to central probe agencies in West Bengal intensified on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of “shielding extortionists and corrupt leaders”, and chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the federal agencies were working as “extended arms” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre.

While Modi alleged that the TMC wants a free licence for corruption and violence in Bengal, the state’s ruling party claimed the BJP is trying to “manage the referee” through use of central agencies to “keep out the players” during the electoral clash in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The two-way tirade came a day after a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was allegedly attacked by locals in East Midnapore district during raids in connection with its probe into the 2022 Bhupatinagar blast case.

While NIA said one of its officers was injured and a vehicle was damaged in the alleged attack in Bhupatinagar, Banerjee said the villagers acted in “self-defence” as the probe agency officials barged into several houses in the early hours of Saturday.

Saturday’s incident bore similarities of an attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5, when they went to search the house of TMC strongman and zilla parishad leader Shahjahan Sheikh in connection with a ration distribution scam.

Addressing a mega rally at Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri, Modi said: “The TMC government seeks to have a free pass for looting and terror in Bengal. To shield its extortionist and corrupt leaders, the TMC orchestrates attacks on central investigative agencies when they come here.”

He added: “The TMC is a party that disrespects India’s Constitution and Rule of Law. TMC’s syndicate Raj prevails in Bengal.”

Modi also said that the situation in the state is such that “the court has to intervene” in various matters.

The Calcutta high court has transferred the probe into the attack on the ED team in Sandeshkhali to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Modi claimed that ED has attached properties worth ₹3,000 crore from “corrupt” TMC leaders in various graft cases in Bengal and that suggestions are being taken on ways to return the money to those who have given it.

He urged the gathering at Dhupguri to “teach the TMC a lesson in these elections” so that “deposits of its candidates get forfeited”. “I guarantee you that the money looted by corrupt leaders will be given back to the poor people who had to give money to get jobs,” he said.

His remarks came on a day Banerjee, who is also the president of TMC, alleged that central probe agencies were working as “extended arms” of the BJP.

“Agencies such as the NIA, ED and CBI are being used to harass TMC leaders. They are carrying out raids without prior information, and barging into homes. What would women do if someone entered their house when everyone was asleep in the dead of night?” she said, as she accused the central agency of mounting the attack on Saturday.

Addressing a rally in Purulia district, she also alleged that central agencies were “asking TMC leaders to either join the BJP or face action”. “NIA is keeping us under surveillance,” she alleged.

The Centre had sent 136 teams to the state to find alleged irregularities by TMC leaders, she said. “But, what came out in the investigation? Please issue a white paper,” she demanded.

TMC national spokesperson Kunal Ghosh hit out at the BJP, saying they want to oust the ruling party from the poll battle by managing the “referee” and playing on an “empty field”.

“You have seen what NIA is doing in Bhupatinagar. On one hand, top leaders are being disturbed and on the other hand, they are trying to empty the booths. They (BJP) want to manage the referee (NIA), get them to the field and keep out the players (TMC) so that they can play on an empty field,” he told a press conference in Kolkata.

He also claimed that people have come to know that NIA is being used as the cadre of the BJP. “Why is the public so furious? This is because people now know that NIA is being used as a BJP cadre. They are spreading violence in the area. Old cases are being dug up before polls. They are conducting raids, nabbing the accused and threatening people,” he said.

ALSO READ-Congress CEC meet finalises candidates for 12 Bengal LS seats  

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Congress CEC meet finalises candidates for 12 Bengal LS seats  

The Congress has already announced candidates for 82 Lok Sabha seats. In its first list, the party declared the names of 39 candidates, while in its second list, the names of 43 candidates were announced...reports Asian Lite News

Congress has finalised the names of candidates for 12 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, sources said on Tuesday. The finalisation of names was done after Congress held a meeting of its Central Election Committee on Tuesday.

“Discussions took place for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal by the screening committee,” said Congress leader Jaivardhan Singh.

The Congress has already announced candidates for 82 Lok Sabha seats. In its first list, the party declared the names of 39 candidates, while in its second list, the names of 43 candidates were announced.

Voting for Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in all seven phases. The Trinamool Congress has already announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats, while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats.

Earlier today, the Congress Working Committee held a detailed discussion on the manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, which has a heavy thrust on the party’s ‘nyay’ agenda and authorised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to grant it final approval.

Addressing a press conference after the CWC meeting, Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh said that the party will build on the momentum of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, during which the party announced five guarantees and a plan has been prepared to take the message of guarantees at the grassroots level.

“The meeting we had today was not just for our manifesto but for our ‘nyay patra’. Congress is absolutely ready for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In the meeting today, there were discussions on our agenda. For the last 63 days, Rahul Gandhi has been talking about our five Nyay and has announced 25 guarantees. This is not just a simple manifesto but an important ‘nyay patra’ so that the people of our country can see a better future,” he said.

The meeting of the CWC, the party’s highest decision-making body, was held days after the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections. The Lok Sabha polls and assembly polls in four states will be held from April 19 to June 1 and the results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)

Kerala Congress urges EC to change polling date  

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) acting president, MM Hassan, on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reschedule the polling in the southern state, which is scheduled to take place on March 26, as it coincides with a Friday.

“Considering the inconvenience to a certain section of the people regarding the election day, which is Friday, we have urged the Election Commission to change the date. In Kerala, Friday and Sunday will be inconvenient to various sections of the community. So we urge to change this 26th day to another date,” MM Hassan said.

“I have sent an email to the Central Election Commission and the UDF chairman. The opposition leader has also sent mail to the election commissioner for the same,” he added.

Meanwhile, as the Lok Sabha is nearing, one of the most high-profile constituencies in this Lok Sabha election is Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Three-time MP from the constituency Shashi Tharoor of the Congress is up against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP and a strong left candidate in Pannyan Raveendran a former MP.

Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency comprises six Assembly segments: Nemom, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Parassala, Vattiyoorkav, and Kazhakkoottam. Being the state with the highest literacy rate in the country, Kerala holds 20 Lok Sabha seats.

MM Hassany.

Congress’ Shashi Tharoor believes that his work over the last 15 years in the constituency will speak for itself.

In 2019 general elections, Tharoor emerged victorious, gathering 416131 votes (41.4 per cent) of total votes, followed by BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan–416131 votes (31.4) and Communist Party of India’s C. Divakaran–258556 votes (25.7).

Similarly, in 2014, Shashi Tharoor emerged victorious, defeating BJP candidate O. Rajagopal.

The BJP has fielded Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress MP Tharoor. This is the first time that Chandrasekhar has been fielded for Lok Sabha polls.

He also served as a national spokesperson for the BJP.

Kerala will hold elections in a single phase on April 26. There are 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala and the BJP has never won a parliamentary seat in the state.

Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 353 seats, the UPA stood at 91, and others won 98. (ANI)

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Mamata Suffers Injury After Fall

Mamata Banerjee was hospitalised on Thursday evening after she reportedly slipped at her home in South Kolkata and injured her forehead….reports Asian Lite News

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was admitted to a hospital in Kolkatta on Thursday evening after she reportedly slipped at her home in South Kolkata and injured her forehead, has been released from the hospital after her condition turned stable.

The Chief Minister was taken back to her home in Kalighat by her nephew and Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee from the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital on Sunday night.

Before leaving the hospital, Abhishek Banerjee told mediapersons that the condition of the Chief Minister is stable now, adding that the doctors put four stitches on her forehead.

Party insiders claimed that despite her condition being stable, the doctors had advised her to stay at the hospital for the night. However, the Chief Minister was keen to get discharged and return to her home, the sources said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, issued a message on X wishing the Chief Minister a speedy recovery.

“I pray for a quick recovery and the best health for Mamata Didi,” the message read.

As per the information shared by the Trinamool, the Chief Minister had tripped while taking a walk at her residence on Thursday evening. The social media cell of the Trinamool had also released a photograph in which the Chief Minister could be seen bleeding from her forehead.

‘Push’ from behind?

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee might have been pushed from behind at her residence on Thursday evening, following which she fell and sustained injuries on her forehead, the Director of S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital, Manimoy Bandopadhyay, said on Thursday night.

Almost an hour after the Chief Minister was released from the hospital and taken back to her residence in Kalighat, Manimoy Bandopadhyay made this explosive statement while speaking to mediapersons.

“The Chief Minister was brought to the hospital at around 7.30 p.m. She fell down probably because of a push from behind. She received a deep injury on her forehead. There was profuse bleeding from that wound,” the S.S.K.M. Director said.

He also said that the Chief Minister was treated by specialists from the neurosurgery, general medicine, and cardiology departments.

“A number of medical examinations like electrocardiogram and CT scan were conducted. The hospital authorities advised her to stay back. But she insisted on returning home,” Manimoy Bandopadhyay said

The Chief Minister will be brought to the hospital again on Friday for further medical checkup. She has been kept under medical observation at her residence.

Rahul, Kharge Wish Speedy Recovery

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wished a speedy recovery to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who sustained a ‘major injury’ after a fall at her residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat on Thursday.

Taking to his official X handle, Rahul Gandhi posted, “Wishing Mamata-ji strength and a very swift recovery.”

Kharge, too, posted from his X handle, “I wish the best of health and complete recovery to West Bengal Chief Minister and Founder Chairperson, AITMC, Mamata Banerjee.”

Another PMC MP Turns Rebel After Denied Ticket

After Arjun Singh, another sitting Trinamool Congress MP has turned rebel after being denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections by the party leadership.

Sunil Kumar Mondal, the sitting Trinamool MP from the Bardhaman-East constituency, on Thursday expressed his displeasure over the party not renominating him for the Lok Sabha polls.

Instead, the Trinamool has fielded Sharmila Sarkar, a practising doctor and a fresher in politics, as the party nominee from Bardhaman-East this time.

Mondal claimed that a section of the district leadership of the party misled the top Trinamool leadership against him, which cost him a chance to get renominated.

“The district president, and an influential member of the state Cabinet from the district wanted me to blindly follow their orders, which was not possible for me,” he said.

He also claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee often praises leaders who mislead and at times even backstab her.

On Sharmila Sarka, Mondal said that he is not aware of what kind of experience she has in public service.

“She is a fresher (in politics). I don’t know how she will strike a chord with the district leadership of the party,” Mondal said.

Since the Trinamool announced its candidates for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, there has been a wave of infighting in the party.

First, Trinamool state General Secretary and actress-turned-politician Sayantika Banerjee resigned from her party post. After that, the sitting Lok Sabha member from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, turned rebel after being denied renomination, stating that he would join the BJP in Delhi on Friday.

There are also talks that the sitting MP from Tamluk, Dibyendu Adhikari, might join the BJP on Friday. Adhikari, the younger brother of Suvendu Adhikari, BJP’s leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, was denied a ticket by the Trinamool.

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Didi Says No To CAA, NRC In Bengal

The CM also targeted the BJP-led central government over the issue of Manipur violence, saying the Centre sent over 400 teams to Bengal….reports Asian Lite News

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that her government will not allow the implementation of CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) or NRC (National Register of Citizens) in the state.

The CM also targeted the BJP-led central government over the issue of Manipur violence, saying the Centre sent over 400 teams to Bengal. “How many teams did you send to Manipur, where our sisters were burned?” she asserted.

CM Banerjee, while addressing the TMC Mahila Wing Rally in Kolkata, said, “We will not allow CAA, nor NRC, nor the politics of dividing Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, nor the false politics of dividing the Matua community, nor the false politics of dividing Hindus and Muslims. We do not accept this. They sent over 400 teams to Bengal. How many teams did you send to Manipur, where our sisters were burned?”

Earlier in February, the West Bengal Chief Minister said that the government will not implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) initiative and will provide separate cards to those whose Aadhaar card is deactivated.

“Those who are playing with the Aadhaar cards and trying to deprive people of their rights, people will throw them out of power. We will issue a separate card that will help to protect the citizen’s rights. We have prepared a portal named ‘Aadhaar Grievance Portal of West Bengal Government’. Those whose Aadhaar card has been deactivated should inform us as soon as possible so that they continue to enjoy their democratic, social and economic rights,” CM said.

The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while speaking at the Republic TV Summit 2024 on Thursday, reiterated that the Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented before the Lok Sabha elections.

The Union Home Minister said, “This will be implemented before the elections…this is the law of the country, no one can stop it, this is set in stone, this is the reality.”

Shah also batted for the Uniform Civil Code, saying that this is not only the agenda of the BJP, but also the vision of the constitutional assembly and is included in Article 44 of the constitution.

“Unfortunately, UCC has been associated with religion. Today I want to tell the people of the country that UCC is not just the agenda of BJP, but since 1950 we have been saying that when we come to power, we will bring UCC to this country. Since 1950, ‘Uniform Civil Code’ has been a part of our manifesto. If you expect the State to be secular, then the laws of the State must also be secular. Personal laws based on religious domination can never give us a secular State,” Home Minister Amit Shah said. (ANI)

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Reliance’s $2.4Bn Bengal Plan

Mukesh Ambani said India is racing ahead to become $10 trillion economy by 2030, and Bengal alone has the potential to become a trillion-dollar economy in the near future…reports Asian Lite News

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, announced the group’s intention to inject an extra Rs 20,000 crore into West Bengal within the next three years.

Speaking at the seventh edition of Bengal Global Business Summit, Mukesh Ambani said the additional investment will be in the areas of digital life solutions, retail and bio-energy.

Mukesh Ambani said India is racing ahead to become $10 trillion economy by 2030, and Bengal alone has the potential to become a trillion-dollar economy in the near future.

“Today, from this podium, let me assure you that Reliance will leave no stone unturned to accelerate Bengal’s growth. Bengal has been one of the largest investment destinations for Reliance. After you invited me, Reliance has invested close to Rs. 45,000 crores in West Bengal. Today, I am happy to announce that we plan to invest an additional Rs. 20,000 crores in the next three years,” he said.

“These will be in three areas: First is to further enhance digital life solutions aimed at augmenting livelihoods in Bengal, and providing quality education, healthcare, and agricultural solutions at scale. JIO is about to complete the world’s fastest 5G rollout in India before the end of this year that is 2023. And we have covered most parts of Bengal,” he added.

He said Reliance Retail is also increasing its footprint in the state. “Our network of nearly 1000 Retail stores will expand to over 1200 within the next two years. Our retail business is supporting hundreds of MSMEs. We are bringing national fame to many regional brands of Bengal.

“Thanks to Jio Mart, 5.50 lakh kirana merchants in the State have been brought under the umbrella of modern organised retail, bringing them higher productivity, income and benefits of scale. We currently operate nearly 20 lakh square foot of warehouses in Bengal. And this will increase manifold,” Mukesh Ambani said.

He said Reliance has become India’s largest Bio-Energy producer, based on the company’s own indigenous developed technology.

“We target to establish 100 compressed biogas (CBG) plants in the next three years, consuming 5.5 million tonnes of agricultural residue and organic waste. We will also help farmers to grow energy plantations on a large scale. This would help mitigate nearly 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions and produce 2.5 million tonnes of organic manure annually,” he said.

“We are planning to set up CBG plants in Bengal that will enable Bengal farmers to increase their incomes. With our current and new investments in these three businesses, Reliance will march together with the great people of Bengal towards a future of shared prosperity, technological innovation, inclusivity, and harmony,” he added.

Mukesh Ambani lauded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying the state is today standing taller — more vibrant and more confident of scaling greater summits of success in the future–and this “transformation has taken place because of your visionary, strong and determined leadership”.

“Which is why, the people of Bengal have chosen you to lead them again and again…,” he added.

The RIL Chairman and MD said a prosperous Bengal will again become India’s gateway to South-East and Far-East Asia.

He also said that the Reliance Foundation “is deeply committed to participate in the resurgence of a Glorious Bengal”.

“Reliance Foundation has taken up an ambitious project to renovate and restore the famous Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, which is the seat of the reigning deity of Bengal. We are in the process of repairing the entire Temple Complex including the centuries old heritage structures and restoring the same to their original glory.”

Mukesh Ambani said Reliance Foundation is working together with the state government to make Biswa Bangla’s “high-quality handicrafts and handloom products available throughout all our retail channels across India”.

He said Reliance Foundation plans to set up a training institute in Bengal with the cooperation of the state government for the benefit of the younger generation of craftsmen.

Mukesh Ambani said he has no hesitation in recommending Bengal “as an ideal investment destination to all fellow investors and global businessmen”.

The seventh edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) kicked off with grandeur on Tuesday.

This summit serves as a cornerstone event for the West Bengal government, bringing together global corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, business delegations, academia, and think tanks to explore strategic alliances and gain insights into the state’s “burgeoning industrial ecosystem”. (ANI)

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Bengal Business Summit to Host ‘Largest Ever’ UK Delegation

Amongst the upcoming flagship projects in the state, Jangal Sundari Karmnagari Industrial Township is being setup over 4,000 acres in Purulia…reports Asian Lite News

The upcoming Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) is poised to host the United Kingdom’s largest-ever delegation, with a notable presence from diverse businesses and institutions. Scheduled for November 21-22 in Kolkata, the event will welcome a 55-member delegation representing the UK. The British Deputy High Commission expressed enthusiasm, noting the anticipation of fostering stronger economic ties.

Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India, is eager to lead this substantial delegation, expressing hopes that the summit will provide opportunities for British businesses to expand in Bengal and vice versa. Among the companies participating are tech firms like Teknobuilt, AirNode, SmartViz, Xworks Tech, Hy-Met Limited, Cambridge Carbon Capture, and GreenEnco, along with established engineering companies such as Mott Macdonald.

Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India, highlighted the commitment to fulfilling the promises outlined in the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, aiming to transform trade and investment between the two nations. In the previous edition of BGBS in 2022, 49 senior figures from the UK actively participated, underlining the growing importance of such events in fostering bilateral economic cooperation.

“West Bengal has been rapidly transforming itself into an economic powerhouse. With a combination of strategic geographical advantages, proactive government policies, skilled human resources, and a vibrant business environment, West Bengal has emerged as a key player in India’s economic growth story,” BGBS said in a statement.

“It is among the leading exporters with 12% of the country’s leather and 10% of iron & steel exports. MSMEs form the vital base of the industrial pyramid and West Bengal has the country’s second highest number of MSMEs (about 90 lakh units) which accounts for 14% of India’s MSMEs.”

Amongst the upcoming flagship projects in the state, Jangal Sundari Karmnagari Industrial Township is being setup over 4,000 acres in Purulia. Mining operations at Deocha-Pachami-Dewanganj- Harinsigha, the second largest coal block in the world is expected to start soon. We have ready-to-Invest Industrial Infrastructure with 200+ Industrial Parks/ Estates spread over an area of around 10,000 acres.

A 200-acre IT and Electronics Park (Silicon Valley) is being set up at Rajarhat. Three Industrial Growth Corridors are being developed at: Dankuni- Raghunathpur; Dankuni-Kalyani; Dankuni-Haldia to augment the pace of industrialization in Bengal. The state has two large container and bulk handling ports at Kolkata and Haldia and a new deep-sea port is coming up at Tajpur.

Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) is the flagship summit of the Government of West Bengal. The summit envisions to bring together corporate leaders, business delegations, entrepreneurs, academia, and think-tanks from around the globe with the purpose of making strategic and business alliances as well as to learn about the industrial ecosystem and business friendly initiatives of the state.

The 7th Bengal Global Business Summit will have Plenary Sessions, Parallel Global Conferences, Sectoral sessions for focus sectors, Country sessions with partner countries, B2Bs and B2Gs meetings to expand networks and meet potential partners.

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