Hours after the news that Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn 'general consent' accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to exercise its authority in the state broke out, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her AP counterpart has done the right thing.

''Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing in saying that he won't allow Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in his state,'' Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

A 'confidential' government order to this effect, issued by Principal Secretary (Home) A R Anuradha on November 8, was "leaked" late Thursday night.

Banerjee said that BJP is history changer, name changer, note changer, institution changer but not a game changer.&nbsp;

''The country is in danger. BJP project as if they have given birth to the nation but they were nowhere during independence,'' she said.&nbsp;

The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. 
Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.

The recent raids by Income Tax authorities on some business establishments, run by those close to the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, have left Naidu red-faced.

Subsequently, he announced that his government would not provide police cover to the IT officials for conducting the raids.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Hours after the news that Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn 'general consent' accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to exercise its authority in the state broke out, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her AP counterpart has done the right thing.

Hours after the news that Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn 'general consent' accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to exercise its authority in the state broke out, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her AP counterpart has done the right thing. ''Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing in saying that he won't allow Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in his state,'' Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. A 'confidential' government order to this effect, issued by Principal Secretary (Home) A R Anuradha on November 8, was "leaked" late Thursday night. Banerjee said that BJP is history changer, name changer, note changer, institution changer but not a game changer. ''The country is in danger. BJP project as if they have given birth to the nation but they were nowhere during independence,'' she said. The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents. The recent raids by Income Tax authorities on some business establishments, run by those close to the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, have left Naidu red-faced. Subsequently, he announced that his government would not provide police cover to the IT officials for conducting the raids.

Andhra CM has done the right thing by blocking CBI in his state: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres of land in the state and give it to the Centre for constructing barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, officials said Friday.

The move came after the home minister wrote to the chief minister, whose government had been dithering for months over acquiring the land, leading to a delay in construction of a fence along the international border, they said. Singh’s letter to Banerjee, requesting her to acquire and hand over about 300 acres of land, has worked, a Home Ministry official privy to the development said.

The firebrand West Bengal leader enjoys cordial relations with the home minister, who is known to have friends across political parties and acts as an emissary of the Narendra Modi government whenever necessary. With an agreement on handing over the land, the long-delayed construction of the fencing in the West Bengal sector of the India-Bangladesh border is expected to start soon, the official said.

India shares a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh. Of this, 2,216 km falls in West Bengal. The border in the state is infamous for a variety of reasons such as illegal immigration and smuggling of cattle and narcotics. The home minister had sent similar letters to the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Bihar, which helped resolve pending issues related to the acquisition of land in the states, the official said.

The home minister on Friday also reviewed the progress of various projects being undertaken along the borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. During the meeting, it was conveyed to Singh that various projects got delayed due to the non-availability of environment clearances from state governments.

The home minister asked the officials present to pursue the matter with the concerned governments. Singh also reviewed the progress of ongoing projects being executed by the Land Ports Authority of India and the border management division under the Home Ministry.

There was very good progress and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at five border crossing points out of seven approved projects have been completed, an official statement said. Terminals for smooth movement of goods and people at ICP Raxaul and ICP Jogbani on the India-Nepal border, ICP Petrapole and ICP Agartala on the India-Bangladesh border and ICP Attari on India–Pakistan border have been made functional.

At each ICP, facilities have been constructed for customs clearance, immigration, warehouses for storage of goods, approach roads and terminal buildings to adequately handle import and export of goods and entry and exit of people. Work on ICP Moreh on the India-Myanmar border and ICP Dawki on India-Bangladesh border is in advanced stage of completion. The total approved expenditure for the seven ICPs is over Rs 700 crore, the statement said.

The home minister also directed officials to take up construction of an additional 13 ICPs — Hili, Jaigaon, Ghojadanga, Mahadipur, Changrabandha, Fulbari, Rupaidiha, Kawrpuichhuah, Panitanki, Sutarkandi, Sunauli, Banbasa and Bhithamore — and the passenger terminal at Petrapole, the statement said.

Projects have been taken up for construction of 18 coastal border outposts (BOPs) in Gujarat and improvement of border floodlighting in Punjab and Rajasthan. Some floating BOPs have also been approved in Gujarat and West Bengal. To improve coastal security, 121 coastal police stations have been operationalised, 30 jetties have been constructed and biometric cards have been issued to 18.5 lakh fishermen.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres of land in the state and give it to the Centre for constructing barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, officials said Friday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres of land in the state and give it to the Centre for constructing barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, officials said Friday. The move came after the home minister wrote to the chief minister, whose government had been dithering for months over acquiring the land, leading to a delay in construction of a fence along the international border, they said. Singh’s letter to Banerjee, requesting her to acquire and hand over about 300 acres of land, has worked, a Home Ministry official privy to the development said. The firebrand West Bengal leader enjoys cordial relations with the home minister, who is known to have friends across political parties and acts as an emissary of the Narendra Modi government whenever necessary. With an agreement on handing over the land, the long-delayed construction of the fencing in the West Bengal sector of the India-Bangladesh border is expected to start soon, the official said. India shares a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh. Of this, 2,216 km falls in West Bengal. The border in the state is infamous for a variety of reasons such as illegal immigration and smuggling of cattle and narcotics. The home minister had sent similar letters to the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Bihar, which helped resolve pending issues related to the acquisition of land in the states, the official said. The home minister on Friday also reviewed the progress of various projects being undertaken along the borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. During the meeting, it was conveyed to Singh that various projects got delayed due to the non-availability of environment clearances from state governments. The home minister asked the officials present to pursue the matter with the concerned governments. Singh also reviewed the progress of ongoing projects being executed by the Land Ports Authority of India and the border management division under the Home Ministry. There was very good progress and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at five border crossing points out of seven approved projects have been completed, an official statement said. Terminals for smooth movement of goods and people at ICP Raxaul and ICP Jogbani on the India-Nepal border, ICP Petrapole and ICP Agartala on the India-Bangladesh border and ICP Attari on India–Pakistan border have been made functional. At each ICP, facilities have been constructed for customs clearance, immigration, warehouses for storage of goods, approach roads and terminal buildings to adequately handle import and export of goods and entry and exit of people. Work on ICP Moreh on the India-Myanmar border and ICP Dawki on India-Bangladesh border is in advanced stage of completion. The total approved expenditure for the seven ICPs is over Rs 700 crore, the statement said. The home minister also directed officials to take up construction of an additional 13 ICPs — Hili, Jaigaon, Ghojadanga, Mahadipur, Changrabandha, Fulbari, Rupaidiha, Kawrpuichhuah, Panitanki, Sutarkandi, Sunauli, Banbasa and Bhithamore — and the passenger terminal at Petrapole, the statement said. Projects have been taken up for construction of 18 coastal border outposts (BOPs) in Gujarat and improvement of border floodlighting in Punjab and Rajasthan. Some floating BOPs have also been approved in Gujarat and West Bengal. To improve coastal security, 121 coastal police stations have been operationalised, 30 jetties have been constructed and biometric cards have been issued to 18.5 lakh fishermen.

Mamata Banerjee agrees to Rajnath Singh’s request to acquire 300 acres for Bangladesh border fencing

Senior Congress leader and MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Monday questioned the TMC leadership for keeping mum on the Rafale deal and said there is no difference in the functioning of CBI and the CID in West Bengal under BJP and TMC regimes respectively. Chowdhury, who is the former West Bengal PCC president, questioned TMC’s silence on the Rafale deal even as several opposition parties have spoken out against it.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi stepping up offensive against the government for forcing the CBI director to go on leave had dubbed the action as “illegal” and a “panic reaction” to cover up Rafale deal evidence “The functioning of CBI under the BJP regime at the Centre and the CID in the state under the TMC have no difference. Both the agencies are being used by the ruling parties respectively to serve their own political purposes,” Chowdhury said.&nbsp;

He said, “When opposition parties have spoken out against the Rafale scam, TMC has maintained a silence on this issue. Why are they (TMC) not speaking out against the scam? Why isn’t TMC and its supremo Mamata Banerjee attacking BJP and CBI in the same language as other opposition parties and the Congress? What is stopping them from doing so? Is it the fear of Narada and Saradha scam investigation ?”

Banerjee last week had alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has become the BJP’s policing agency. “CBI has now become so-called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) – very unfortunate!” Banerjee had tweeted. Her remarks came amid the ongoing spat between two top officers of the agency. Asked about Banerjee’s comment on CBI, Chowdhury said “Just one-liners won’t do, they (TMC) have to clear their stand. The TMC leadership declined to give much importance to his comment and said the party “does not need any lessons from others”.

Senior Congress leader and MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Monday questioned the TMC leadership for keeping mum on the Rafale deal and said there is no difference in the functioning of CBI and the CID in West Bengal under BJP and TMC regimes respectively.

Senior Congress leader and MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Monday questioned the TMC leadership for keeping mum on the Rafale deal and said there is no difference in the functioning of CBI and the CID in West Bengal under BJP and TMC regimes respectively. Chowdhury, who is the former West Bengal PCC president, questioned TMC’s silence on the Rafale deal even as several opposition parties have spoken out against it. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi stepping up offensive against the government for forcing the CBI director to go on leave had dubbed the action as “illegal” and a “panic reaction” to cover up Rafale deal evidence “The functioning of CBI under the BJP regime at the Centre and the CID in the state under the TMC have no difference. Both the agencies are being used by the ruling parties respectively to serve their own political purposes,” Chowdhury said. He said, “When opposition parties have spoken out against the Rafale scam, TMC has maintained a silence on this issue. Why are they (TMC) not speaking out against the scam? Why isn’t TMC and its supremo Mamata Banerjee attacking BJP and CBI in the same language as other opposition parties and the Congress? What is stopping them from doing so? Is it the fear of Narada and Saradha scam investigation ?” Banerjee last week had alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has become the BJP’s policing agency. “CBI has now become so-called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) – very unfortunate!” Banerjee had tweeted. Her remarks came amid the ongoing spat between two top officers of the agency. Asked about Banerjee’s comment on CBI, Chowdhury said “Just one-liners won’t do, they (TMC) have to clear their stand. The TMC leadership declined to give much importance to his comment and said the party “does not need any lessons from others”.

PM Narendra Modi’s CBI and Mamata Banerjee’s CID have no difference, says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Didi has apparently learned from her mistakes in the recent past. The TMC supremo is eager to prove that she doesn't differentiate between Hindu and Muslims, Bengalis and Non-Bengalis.

TMC swept the West Bengal Panchayat elections in May and the BJP emerged as the main challenger to the party. The CPI-M was at the third position, while the Congress was literally wiped out.&nbsp;

On the one hand, BJP's performance worked as a morale booster for the Saffron party, and a wake-up call for the TMC on the other. Panchayat election was the last significant electoral event before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and BJP has emerged as a strong player.

Mamata, accused of dividing people of the state on the religious lines to secure its vote bank, is trying to balance it out to avoid the backlash of the Hindu community.

Durga Puja&nbsp;

Last year, Banerjee drew massive criticism for her decision to impose restrictions on idol immersion during Durga Puja as it collided with Muharram. The Kolkata high court too slammed the state government for creating a divide between the two communities. “Let them (Hindus and Muslims) live in harmony, do not create a line between them," the court had observed.

To cover up the lapses, the chief minister, this year, announced a grant of Rs 28 Crore to 28,000 Puja committees across the state. This is not all. She also penned a theme song for a popular Durga Puja in the city.

The state government then also urged the Muslim community to avoid displaying weapons in processions during Muharram as this could hurt members of other communities.

Cyber War

To widen the use of social media in the run up for 2019 elections, Didi, last month, announced that her party will form a team of 30,000 'cyber sainiks' to counter BJP IT cell for their alleged vindictive politics.

Mamata said the warriors, without using any foul language, will take on the IT cell members of the BJP for their malicious attempts to defame TMC. According to reports, the warriors will respond to the BJP not just in Bengali but in Hindi as well.

BJP too is all set for the cyber war. Party chief Amit Shah and IT Cell head Amit Malviya met the IT cell members in Kolkata recently and reportedly asked them to take government's plans and policies to masses through social media.

TMC Hindi Wing&nbsp;

TMC has announced opening a Hindi wing in the party for a broader reach. Mamata also announced her desire to open a Hindu University in the state. This is again an effort by TMC to revamp its image and win the confidence of BJP's non-Bengali support base in the state.

Federal Front

Mamata Banerjee has been urging opposition parties to set aside their differences and come together to take on the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Leading the pack to unite the opposition, Mamata has announced a massive anti-BJP rally to be held in Kolkata in January, 2019.

She has also met leaders of regional and opposition parties as her efforts to stitch an anti-BJP alliance. Several top opposition leaders, like &nbsp;Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, have already confirmed their presence.

TMC has also planned to invite BSP Supremo Mayawati, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

With all the above strategies, TMC is attempting to overhaul its image of being a party which indulges in minority appeasement and opportunistic politics.&nbsp;

To counter TMC's strategies, BJP has appointed Mukul Roy as the convener of the party's election management committee in West Bengal. Roy, who had quit the TMC to join BJP, is familiar with Mamata Banerjee's style of working.

Beginning December, the Saffron party will take out three Rath Yatras covering all the 42 parliamentary constituencies of the state. Through these Rath Yatras, the party also plans to reach out to the general people to garner support for Assam’s National Register of Citizens.

BJP is likely to score brownie points over TMC on NRC issue after Banerjee faced flak over her U-turn. Mamata, in 2005, had favoured NRC in West Bengal, claiming that the illegal immigrants in Bangladesh had spelt disaster for West Bengal.

However, this year she opposed the Assam’s National Register of Citizens.

West Bengal is crucial for the BJP for its growth in the Lok Sabha elections and the party is targetting at least 22 seats in the state. Meanwhile, TMC, confident of triggering a revolution by uniting the opposition to defeat the BJP in 2019, is putting its best efforts to maintain its stronghold in the state.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Didi has apparently learned from her mistakes in the recent past. The TMC supremo is eager to prove that she doesn't differentiate between Hindu and Muslims, Bengalis and Non-Bengalis.

Didi has apparently learned from her mistakes in the recent past. The TMC supremo is eager to prove that she doesn't differentiate between Hindu and Muslims, Bengalis and Non-Bengalis. TMC swept the West Bengal Panchayat elections in May and the BJP emerged as the main challenger to the party. The CPI-M was at the third position, while the Congress was literally wiped out. On the one hand, BJP's performance worked as a morale booster for the Saffron party, and a wake-up call for the TMC on the other. Panchayat election was the last significant electoral event before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and BJP has emerged as a strong player. Mamata, accused of dividing people of the state on the religious lines to secure its vote bank, is trying to balance it out to avoid the backlash of the Hindu community. Durga Puja Last year, Banerjee drew massive criticism for her decision to impose restrictions on idol immersion during Durga Puja as it collided with Muharram. The Kolkata high court too slammed the state government for creating a divide between the two communities. “Let them (Hindus and Muslims) live in harmony, do not create a line between them," the court had observed. To cover up the lapses, the chief minister, this year, announced a grant of Rs 28 Crore to 28,000 Puja committees across the state. This is not all. She also penned a theme song for a popular Durga Puja in the city. The state government then also urged the Muslim community to avoid displaying weapons in processions during Muharram as this could hurt members of other communities. Cyber War To widen the use of social media in the run up for 2019 elections, Didi, last month, announced that her party will form a team of 30,000 'cyber sainiks' to counter BJP IT cell for their alleged vindictive politics. Mamata said the warriors, without using any foul language, will take on the IT cell members of the BJP for their malicious attempts to defame TMC. According to reports, the warriors will respond to the BJP not just in Bengali but in Hindi as well. BJP too is all set for the cyber war. Party chief Amit Shah and IT Cell head Amit Malviya met the IT cell members in Kolkata recently and reportedly asked them to take government's plans and policies to masses through social media. TMC Hindi Wing TMC has announced opening a Hindi wing in the party for a broader reach. Mamata also announced her desire to open a Hindu University in the state. This is again an effort by TMC to revamp its image and win the confidence of BJP's non-Bengali support base in the state. Federal Front Mamata Banerjee has been urging opposition parties to set aside their differences and come together to take on the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Leading the pack to unite the opposition, Mamata has announced a massive anti-BJP rally to be held in Kolkata in January, 2019. She has also met leaders of regional and opposition parties as her efforts to stitch an anti-BJP alliance. Several top opposition leaders, like Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, have already confirmed their presence. TMC has also planned to invite BSP Supremo Mayawati, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. With all the above strategies, TMC is attempting to overhaul its image of being a party which indulges in minority appeasement and opportunistic politics. To counter TMC's strategies, BJP has appointed Mukul Roy as the convener of the party's election management committee in West Bengal. Roy, who had quit the TMC to join BJP, is familiar with Mamata Banerjee's style of working. Beginning December, the Saffron party will take out three Rath Yatras covering all the 42 parliamentary constituencies of the state. Through these Rath Yatras, the party also plans to reach out to the general people to garner support for Assam’s National Register of Citizens. BJP is likely to score brownie points over TMC on NRC issue after Banerjee faced flak over her U-turn. Mamata, in 2005, had favoured NRC in West Bengal, claiming that the illegal immigrants in Bangladesh had spelt disaster for West Bengal. However, this year she opposed the Assam’s National Register of Citizens. West Bengal is crucial for the BJP for its growth in the Lok Sabha elections and the party is targetting at least 22 seats in the state. Meanwhile, TMC, confident of triggering a revolution by uniting the opposition to defeat the BJP in 2019, is putting its best efforts to maintain its stronghold in the state. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee plans to take on BJP in West Bengal

A man was arrested in Tripura's Dhalai district for allegedly making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in social media, a police officer said Tuesday.

A West Bengal Police team arrested Tushar Sharma of Kulai area in Dhalai district on October 6 for the alleged derogatory remarks against Banerjee, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Ambassa, Asish Das Gupta said

Sharma was produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Ambassa.

The West Bengal Police sought his transit remand. However, the CJM rejected the request of the West Bengal Police as the arrested person was sick and ordered for his admission in a hospital.

The CJM ordered that the accused be produced before it on Wednesday.

A West Bengal Police team camping in Tripura said it will again appeal for the transit remand of Sharma in the court on Wednesday.&nbsp;

A man was arrested in Tripura's Dhalai district for allegedly making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in social media, a police officer said Tuesday.

A man was arrested in Tripura's Dhalai district for allegedly making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in social media, a police officer said Tuesday. A West Bengal Police team arrested Tushar Sharma of Kulai area in Dhalai district on October 6 for the alleged derogatory remarks against Banerjee, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Ambassa, Asish Das Gupta said Sharma was produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Ambassa. The West Bengal Police sought his transit remand. However, the CJM rejected the request of the West Bengal Police as the arrested person was sick and ordered for his admission in a hospital. The CJM ordered that the accused be produced before it on Wednesday. A West Bengal Police team camping in Tripura said it will again appeal for the transit remand of Sharma in the court on Wednesday.

Man arrested for derogatory remarks against Mamata Banerjee

A host of IAS officials were&nbsptransferred on Wednesday to different posts in the state in a major reshuffle, a West Bengal government notification said.

Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Indever Pandey has been transferred to Environment department in the same rank with additional charge of disaster management.

Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, S Suresh Kumar has been transferred to Labour department.

Principal Secretary Sundarban Affairs, Ajit Ranjan Bardhan, has been asked to take over as Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the notification said.

Arnab Roy has been transferred from the post of Principal Secretary Environment to Principal Secretary, PWD.

Health and Family Welfare Secretary Binod Kumar have been asked to take over as Secretary of Sundarban Affairs department.

P Mohangandhi, DM Birbhum, will now take over as DM West Midnapore, replacing J P Meena, who will take over as DM Hooghly, it said.

Sanjay Bansal, DM Hooghly, will now take over as Director Land Revenue Service, West Bengal.

S K Dwivedi, DM South Dinajpur, has been asked to take over as Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare department.

Moumita Godara Basu, DM Bankura, has been asked to take over as DM Birbhum.

R A Ayesha, DM North Dinajpur, will take over as DM Jhargram replacing R Arjun, who will join as Joint Secretary, Tribal Development department.

Khalil Ahmed, Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner, will get additional charge of Secretary, Fire and Emergency Services, the notification said.

A host of IAS officials were transferred on Wednesday to different posts in West Bengal in a major reshuffle

A host of IAS officials were&nbsptransferred on Wednesday to different posts in the state in a major reshuffle, a West Bengal government notification said. Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Indever Pandey has been transferred to Environment department in the same rank with additional charge of disaster management. Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, S Suresh Kumar has been transferred to Labour department. Principal Secretary Sundarban Affairs, Ajit Ranjan Bardhan, has been asked to take over as Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the notification said. Arnab Roy has been transferred from the post of Principal Secretary Environment to Principal Secretary, PWD. Health and Family Welfare Secretary Binod Kumar have been asked to take over as Secretary of Sundarban Affairs department. P Mohangandhi, DM Birbhum, will now take over as DM West Midnapore, replacing J P Meena, who will take over as DM Hooghly, it said. Sanjay Bansal, DM Hooghly, will now take over as Director Land Revenue Service, West Bengal. S K Dwivedi, DM South Dinajpur, has been asked to take over as Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare department. Moumita Godara Basu, DM Bankura, has been asked to take over as DM Birbhum. R A Ayesha, DM North Dinajpur, will take over as DM Jhargram replacing R Arjun, who will join as Joint Secretary, Tribal Development department. Khalil Ahmed, Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner, will get additional charge of Secretary, Fire and Emergency Services, the notification said.

IAS officers' reshuffle in West Bengal

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-live-updates-voting-begins-as--siddaramaiah-tries-to-break-33-year-old-jinx-136233">Karnataka election live updates: Voting underway as Siddaramaiah tries to break </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-live-updates-voting-begins-as--siddaramaiah-tries-to-break-33-year-old-jinx-136233">33-year-old</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-live-updates-voting-begins-as--siddaramaiah-tries-to-break-33-year-old-jinx-136233"> jinx</a>

Karnataka is voting today for electing its 15th Legislative Assembly after a fortnight-long bitter campaign by the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S). The vote count will take place on May &nbsp;15.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ready-to-begin-nuclear-program--136251">Ready to restart nuclear programme on an 'industrial scale': Iran</a>

Iran said on Friday that it is ready to restart its nuclear program on an "industrial scale" following Trump's decision to pull out of the deal. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif said that he would begin a round of diplomatic talks with the European allies in order to save the deal and at the same time the country would start preparing to restart its program of nuclear enrichment, reports said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/conspiracy-afoot-to-get-me-assassinated-mamata-banerjee-136250">Conspiracy afoot to get me assassinated: Mamata Banerjee</a>

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday claimed that a conspiracy was on to physically eliminate her and said a political party has even hired contract killers for the purpose.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-promises-north-korea-future-brimming-with-prosperity-if-it-denuclearises-136237">Pompeo promises North Korea future 'brimming with prosperity' if it denuclearises</a>

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said that North Korea can look forward to "a future brimming with peace and prosperity" if it agrees to quickly give up its nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mp-student-dies-of-heart-attack-after-being-denied-to-take-exam-parents-stage-protest--136248">MP: Student dies of heart attack after being denied to take exam, parents stage protest</a>

A 20-year-old student allegedly died of heart attack on Friday in Satna, Madhya Pradesh after he was stopped from giving his exam over failing to pay the fees. The student, identified as Mohanlal, was immediately rushed to a hospital nearby where he was pronounced dead. Soon after, the boy's parents and neighbours staged protests and blocked roads demanding action against the college.&nbsp;

Karnataka election live updates: Voting underway as Siddaramaiah tries to break 33-year-old jinx Karnataka is voting today for electing its 15th Legislative Assembly after a fortnight-long bitter campaign by the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S). The vote count will take place on May 15. Ready to restart nuclear programme on an 'industrial scale': Iran Iran said on Friday that it is ready to restart its nuclear program on an "industrial scale" following Trump's decision to pull out of the deal. Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif said that he would begin a round of diplomatic talks with the European allies in order to save the deal and at the same time the country would start preparing to restart its program of nuclear enrichment, reports said. Conspiracy afoot to get me assassinated: Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday claimed that a conspiracy was on to physically eliminate her and said a political party has even hired contract killers for the purpose. Pompeo promises North Korea future 'brimming with prosperity' if it denuclearises US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said that North Korea can look forward to "a future brimming with peace and prosperity" if it agrees to quickly give up its nuclear weapons. MP: Student dies of heart attack after being denied to take exam, parents stage protest A 20-year-old student allegedly died of heart attack on Friday in Satna, Madhya Pradesh after he was stopped from giving his exam over failing to pay the fees. The student, identified as Mohanlal, was immediately rushed to a hospital nearby where he was pronounced dead. Soon after, the boy's parents and neighbours staged protests and blocked roads demanding action against the college.

News brief — Big stories of the day

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday claimed that a conspiracy was on to physically eliminate her and said a political party has even hired contract killers for the purpose.

Banerjee, who had founded the ruling Trinamool Congress back in the late nineties to eject the Left parties from the driving seat in Bengal, made the startling revelation in an interview to a Bengali television channel Zee 24 Ghanta'.

"I have come to know that a conspiracy is on to kill me. A political party has given supari (contract) for eliminating me. The contract killers, who have already received an advance, did a recce of my office and residence, as also other nearby places," Banerjee said.&nbsp

Complaining that she was the victim of a barrage of insults and character assassination daily, Banerjee said the conspirators had hatched a plan to first assassinate her character and then eliminate her physically.

The Chief Minister, however, said she was habituated with such conspiracies and had survived murder attempts by a whisker in the past.

The Chief Minister, however, said she was habituated with such conspiracies and had survived murder attempts by a whisker in the past.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday claimed that a conspiracy was on to physically eliminate her and said a political party has even hired contract killers for the purpose. Banerjee, who had founded the ruling Trinamool Congress back in the late nineties to eject the Left parties from the driving seat in Bengal, made the startling revelation in an interview to a Bengali television channel Zee 24 Ghanta'. "I have come to know that a conspiracy is on to kill me. A political party has given supari (contract) for eliminating me. The contract killers, who have already received an advance, did a recce of my office and residence, as also other nearby places," Banerjee said. Complaining that she was the victim of a barrage of insults and character assassination daily, Banerjee said the conspirators had hatched a plan to first assassinate her character and then eliminate her physically. The Chief Minister, however, said she was habituated with such conspiracies and had survived murder attempts by a whisker in the past.

Conspiracy afoot to get me assassinated: Mamata Banerjee

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met with the DMK president M Karunanidhi at his residence on Sunday. He also dined with MK Stalin, the working president of the party.&nbsp;

The leaders also had a telephonic conversation with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

Calling Karunanidhi as "the tallest leader of the country" he said he was lucky to have his blessings.

The meeting is seen as an attempt made by the&nbsp;Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supremo to stitch a coalition against the BJP, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

K Chandrasekhar Rao&nbsp;also discussed his plans for meeting Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, reports said.

However, the TRS chief denied any idea of " third front", reports said.&nbsp;

He said he did not aim to bring in some kind of "third front" and the idea of "third front"&nbsp;had been created by the media. He added that their party has not proposed any such idea. He further said that the alliance was an alignment of farmers and India's youth and not political parties.

He also said that the decision of the parties who would join the alliance would be taken in future.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Telangana chief minister had met with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Their meeting was seen as an effort to build a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front.&nbsp;

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K Chandrasekhar Rao also discussed his plans for meeting Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met with the DMK president M Karunanidhi at his residence on Sunday. He also dined with MK Stalin, the working president of the party. The leaders also had a telephonic conversation with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. Calling Karunanidhi as "the tallest leader of the country" he said he was lucky to have his blessings. The meeting is seen as an attempt made by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supremo to stitch a coalition against the BJP, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. K Chandrasekhar Rao also discussed his plans for meeting Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, reports said. However, the TRS chief denied any idea of " third front", reports said. He said he did not aim to bring in some kind of "third front" and the idea of "third front" had been created by the media. He added that their party has not proposed any such idea. He further said that the alliance was an alignment of farmers and India's youth and not political parties. He also said that the decision of the parties who would join the alliance would be taken in future. Earlier, the Telangana chief minister had met with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Their meeting was seen as an effort to build a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front.

In an attempt to stitch coalition, KCR meets Karunanidhi, MK Stalin, rings Mamata Banerjee too

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb — already well known for a number of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/internet-and-satellite-existed-since-mahabharata-era-claims-tripura-cm-131112">questionable statements</a> — has let another one loose.&nbsp;

He has now said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "should get her brain examined", news reports said Thursday. &nbsp;

And that she "should go to a temple" for mental peace.&nbsp;

"Mamata didi should go to a temple and then get her brain examined at a hospital," ANI reported Deb as saying in Agaratala.&nbsp;

Deb's comments came after Mamata, in an interview, discredited the BJP for its victory in Tripura, and compared the saffron party's feat to "winning the municipal elections". She also reportedly claimed that the BJP's victory in Tripura was no cause for concern for her.

The BJP- Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) coalition defeated the Communist Party of India (CPI) with a two-thirds majority in the Tripura legislative assembly elections.

The BJP won 35 of the 59 seats that went to polls in the Left bastion, ousting the CPI (M) which won only in 17 assembly constituencies.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

He added that the West Bengal chief minister 'should go to a temple' for mental peace. Deb's comments came after Mamata, in an interview, discredited the BJP for its victory in Tripura, and compared the saffron party's feat to 'winning the municipal elections'

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb — already well known for a number of questionable statements — has let another one loose. He has now said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "should get her brain examined", news reports said Thursday. And that she "should go to a temple" for mental peace. "Mamata didi should go to a temple and then get her brain examined at a hospital," ANI reported Deb as saying in Agaratala. Deb's comments came after Mamata, in an interview, discredited the BJP for its victory in Tripura, and compared the saffron party's feat to "winning the municipal elections". She also reportedly claimed that the BJP's victory in Tripura was no cause for concern for her. The BJP- Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) coalition defeated the Communist Party of India (CPI) with a two-thirds majority in the Tripura legislative assembly elections. The BJP won 35 of the 59 seats that went to polls in the Left bastion, ousting the CPI (M) which won only in 17 assembly constituencies. (With inputs from ANI)

Mamata Banerjee should 'get her brain examined': The latest from Tripura CM Biplab Deb

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday that the Congress was wrong in giving an impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

The Trinamool Congress did not support the impeachment move, she said.

“The Congress was wrong to give impeachment notice against the CJI. The Congress wanted us to support it. But we did not,” she told a news channel.

“I told Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi not to go for impeachment,” Banerjee said, adding that her party did not want to interfere in the judiciary.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected the notice by seven opposition parties, led by the Congress, to impeach the Chief Justice of India on five grounds of “misbehaviour”, saying the allegations were neither “tenable nor admissible”.

Also Read:<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/decision-to-reject-impeachment-motion-against-cji-was-not-hasty-venkaiah-naidu-132555">&nbsp;Decision to reject impeachment motion against CJI was not hasty — Venkaiah Naidu</a>

Naidu’s order, which came within two days of the notice being submitted to him, was slammed as “hasty, illegal and ill-informed” by the Congress.&nbsp;

Banerjee,&nbsp;who is seen as a key player in a possible grouping of non-BJP political parties ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections, termed the decision of Congress and other opposition parties of impeachment notice against the CJI as "wrong".

A strident critic of the BJP-led central government and its policies, Banerjee had recently called for unity among all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu said his decision was "<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/decision-to-reject-impeachment-motion-against-cji-was-not-hasty-venkaiah-naidu-132555">timely and not a hasty one</a>" and came after over a month of due diligence.

(With inputs from PTI)

"Congress was wrong to move impeachment notice against CJI Dipak Misra. The Congress wanted us to support it. But we did not," the TMC chief said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday that the Congress was wrong in giving an impeachment notice against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. The Trinamool Congress did not support the impeachment move, she said. “The Congress was wrong to give impeachment notice against the CJI. The Congress wanted us to support it. But we did not,” she told a news channel. “I told Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi not to go for impeachment,” Banerjee said, adding that her party did not want to interfere in the judiciary. Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected the notice by seven opposition parties, led by the Congress, to impeach the Chief Justice of India on five grounds of “misbehaviour”, saying the allegations were neither “tenable nor admissible”. Also Read: Decision to reject impeachment motion against CJI was not hasty — Venkaiah Naidu Naidu’s order, which came within two days of the notice being submitted to him, was slammed as “hasty, illegal and ill-informed” by the Congress. Banerjee, who is seen as a key player in a possible grouping of non-BJP political parties ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections, termed the decision of Congress and other opposition parties of impeachment notice against the CJI as "wrong". A strident critic of the BJP-led central government and its policies, Banerjee had recently called for unity among all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Earlier on Tuesday, Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu said his decision was "timely and not a hasty one" and came after over a month of due diligence. (With inputs from PTI)

Told Sonia Gandhi, Rahul not to go ahead with impeachment notice against CJI, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked the people to exercise caution on news items being circulated on the social media as in many cases they are fake.

Speaking at a gathering of cable TV operators here, Banerjee asked them to stay vigilant and urged them not to beam news items involving communal violence that can fuel trouble and unrest elsewhere.

She requested the operators to felicitate government messages to be broadcast via cable TV to control such situations.

"Fake news is circulating in a big way. Fake news incite people leading to unrest. People should be aware of these and stay cautious," Banerjee said.

Quality should be maintained in serials where negativity is rampant causing social degradation, she said.

On Tuesday's nor'wester that left 18 dead and scores injured, Banerjee said, "We don't have any control on natural calamities. But at least, we should not create man-made disasters."

The cable operators told her that their financial condition worsened after the digital system was introduced replacing the analogue system and the 25,000 odd cable operators in the state are in a sorry state of affairs.

The chief minister today set up a committee to solve their problems.

The committee includes Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak, Youth and Sports Minister Arup Biswas, the Commissioner of Police, and representatives of broadcasters and cable operators.

The state government will try to get a tripartite agreement to protect the interests of all, she said.

Banerjee also asked cable operators to come under the fold of MSMEs and announced several social security schemes for them and their families.

Quality should be maintained in serials where negativity is rampant causing social degradation, she said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked the people to exercise caution on news items being circulated on the social media as in many cases they are fake. Speaking at a gathering of cable TV operators here, Banerjee asked them to stay vigilant and urged them not to beam news items involving communal violence that can fuel trouble and unrest elsewhere. She requested the operators to felicitate government messages to be broadcast via cable TV to control such situations. "Fake news is circulating in a big way. Fake news incite people leading to unrest. People should be aware of these and stay cautious," Banerjee said. Quality should be maintained in serials where negativity is rampant causing social degradation, she said. On Tuesday's nor'wester that left 18 dead and scores injured, Banerjee said, "We don't have any control on natural calamities. But at least, we should not create man-made disasters." The cable operators told her that their financial condition worsened after the digital system was introduced replacing the analogue system and the 25,000 odd cable operators in the state are in a sorry state of affairs. The chief minister today set up a committee to solve their problems. The committee includes Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak, Youth and Sports Minister Arup Biswas, the Commissioner of Police, and representatives of broadcasters and cable operators. The state government will try to get a tripartite agreement to protect the interests of all, she said. Banerjee also asked cable operators to come under the fold of MSMEs and announced several social security schemes for them and their families.

Mamata urges people to exercise caution on fake news

The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national politics after the 2019 Lok Sabha election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland. According to senior TMC leaders, the party’s objective to play a major role at the national level can only be successful if it manages to bag the maximum share out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.&nbsp

“If we want to win maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha polls, then we have to ensure that we put up a good show in the upcoming rural polls, so that we are ahead of our rivals,” said a senior TMC leader. With nearly 40 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state being located in villages and semi-urban areas administered by panchayats, an absolute control of the rural bodies is a must for political parties to have an upper hand on rivals in next year’s Lok Sabha polls, feel senior TMC leaders.

“Steering the state from 2011, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has established its credentials on the twin foundation of development and diversity. “People will endorse this in the upcoming panchayat elections. Yes, the journey to Delhi originates in the rural heartland of Bengal,” Derek O’Brien, TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, told PTI. Brien’s views were echoed by his party colleague Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is of the view that the panchayat polls will be the most important election ahead of Lok Sabha polls. “Panchayat elections resonates the views of the grass-roots and the masses. In villages, people are dependent on their gram panchayats … The activities of elected representatives at panchayats and zilla parishads come as a added benefit for the political parties he or she represents,” Bandyopadhyay told PTI. The elections will be held across 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 9,217 seats at 341 panchayat samitis, and 825 seats at 20 zilla parishads.

Another senior TMC leader came up with an analogy on how results of panchayat polls directly influence the Lok Sabha election in Bengal. “Our victory in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore zilla parishads in the 2008 panchayat polls had led to the party winning 19 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. The stellar performance in 2013 panchayat polls, when it won the maximum number of zilla parishads, also led TMC to bag 34 Lok Sabha seats in 2014,” he explained. However, he admitted that despite winning so many seats, the party could not have a major role after the 2014 elections, as the BJP managed full majority. “But this time, things will be different from 2014 and TMC will play a defining role after 2019,” the TMC leader said. The TMC leadership has time and again emphasised that it will play a major role on the national level, after next year’s Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last month said she would try to unite all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

The TMC top brass had also met several leaders of various Opposition parties, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and TRS chief K C Rao, aiming to cobble up a formidable front against the BJP. Opposition parties cutting across political lines feel that the TMC’s urge to prove its mettle in the panchayat elections in order to find firm footing in the Lok Sabha polls next year, has led to unprecedented violence over filing of nominations for the rural polls. The TMC has denied all such accusations. Displeased with the State Election Commission’s recent decision to cancel its own order to extend the nomination process by a day, the Calcutta High Court had on April 12 put a stay on the ongoing panchayat election process till further instruction. “Because of their ambition to play a major role and to send out a message that TMC is invincible in Bengal so that they be allowed to lead the anti-BJP front, they are looking to win the panchayat polls without any opposition,” state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said.

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy, who was once number two in the TMC and been instrumental in its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, feels TMC’s wish to be a major national force will never be fulfilled as the BJP will “decimate” the ruling party in Bengal in the next Lok Sabha election. “The people of Bengal are yearning for a change and BJP will bring that change,” Roy said. State Panchayat Minister and TMC leader Subrata Mukherjee said the party will win the panchayat polls and that it cannot take the onus of failure to file nominations. “How can we take the onus of opposition not being able to file nominations? We can’t provide them with man power to file nominations. The people of Bengal are with TMC. I won’t comment any further as the matter is sub judice,” Mukherjee added.

The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national politics after the 2019 election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland.

The stakes seem to be high for the ruling Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls, as the party leadership feels that gaining a foothold in national politics after the 2019 Lok Sabha election is incumbent on winning the rural heartland. According to senior TMC leaders, the party’s objective to play a major role at the national level can only be successful if it manages to bag the maximum share out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. “If we want to win maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha polls, then we have to ensure that we put up a good show in the upcoming rural polls, so that we are ahead of our rivals,” said a senior TMC leader. With nearly 40 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state being located in villages and semi-urban areas administered by panchayats, an absolute control of the rural bodies is a must for political parties to have an upper hand on rivals in next year’s Lok Sabha polls, feel senior TMC leaders. “Steering the state from 2011, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has established its credentials on the twin foundation of development and diversity. “People will endorse this in the upcoming panchayat elections. Yes, the journey to Delhi originates in the rural heartland of Bengal,” Derek O’Brien, TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, told PTI. Brien’s views were echoed by his party colleague Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is of the view that the panchayat polls will be the most important election ahead of Lok Sabha polls. “Panchayat elections resonates the views of the grass-roots and the masses. In villages, people are dependent on their gram panchayats … The activities of elected representatives at panchayats and zilla parishads come as a added benefit for the political parties he or she represents,” Bandyopadhyay told PTI. The elections will be held across 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats, 9,217 seats at 341 panchayat samitis, and 825 seats at 20 zilla parishads. Another senior TMC leader came up with an analogy on how results of panchayat polls directly influence the Lok Sabha election in Bengal. “Our victory in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore zilla parishads in the 2008 panchayat polls had led to the party winning 19 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. The stellar performance in 2013 panchayat polls, when it won the maximum number of zilla parishads, also led TMC to bag 34 Lok Sabha seats in 2014,” he explained. However, he admitted that despite winning so many seats, the party could not have a major role after the 2014 elections, as the BJP managed full majority. “But this time, things will be different from 2014 and TMC will play a defining role after 2019,” the TMC leader said. The TMC leadership has time and again emphasised that it will play a major role on the national level, after next year’s Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last month said she would try to unite all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The TMC top brass had also met several leaders of various Opposition parties, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and TRS chief K C Rao, aiming to cobble up a formidable front against the BJP. Opposition parties cutting across political lines feel that the TMC’s urge to prove its mettle in the panchayat elections in order to find firm footing in the Lok Sabha polls next year, has led to unprecedented violence over filing of nominations for the rural polls. The TMC has denied all such accusations. Displeased with the State Election Commission’s recent decision to cancel its own order to extend the nomination process by a day, the Calcutta High Court had on April 12 put a stay on the ongoing panchayat election process till further instruction. “Because of their ambition to play a major role and to send out a message that TMC is invincible in Bengal so that they be allowed to lead the anti-BJP front, they are looking to win the panchayat polls without any opposition,” state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said. Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy, who was once number two in the TMC and been instrumental in its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, feels TMC’s wish to be a major national force will never be fulfilled as the BJP will “decimate” the ruling party in Bengal in the next Lok Sabha election. “The people of Bengal are yearning for a change and BJP will bring that change,” Roy said. State Panchayat Minister and TMC leader Subrata Mukherjee said the party will win the panchayat polls and that it cannot take the onus of failure to file nominations. “How can we take the onus of opposition not being able to file nominations? We can’t provide them with man power to file nominations. The people of Bengal are with TMC. I won’t comment any further as the matter is sub judice,” Mukherjee added.

Mamata Banerjee’s 2019 dream faces litmus test in West Bengal Panchayat election

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday stayed the ongoing panchayat election process in West Bengal, expressing displeasure over the decision of the State Election Commission (SEC) to cancel its own order extending the nomination process by a day.

Opposition parties in the state termed the high court order as a "victory of democracy over dictatorship" and sought the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging widespread violence during filing of nominations.

Rejecting the SEC's contention that the writ petition of the BJP was not maintainable, the court held that the state poll panel is endowed with powers relating to holding of the elections, but in case of any digression, it needs to be corrected by the court of law.

Passing the order on the petition, Justice Subrata Talukdar stayed till further orders the ongoing panchayat election process in the state.

He observed that the commission had recognised the grievances expressed by different political parties as well as individuals by extending the date.

"However, the order was abruptly withdrawn," he said.

Referring to Wednesday's Supreme Court order with regard to a petition by the West Bengal unit of the BJP challenging the SEC's decision to recall the extension order, Justice Talukdar said that the operative part of the apex court order is crucially connected to the cancellation of the notification.

The high court also said that the SEC should have informed it Thursday that it has ensured a level-playing field for all parties.

While staying the panchayat elections, the judge also sought from the SEC by Monday a comprehensive status report on the poll process, detailing the number of nominations filed and the percentage of those rejected, among other issues.

The court said it would hear on April 16 the pleas challenging the SEC's decision to withdraw its April 9 notification, which had extended the date for filing nominations by a day.

The BJP had challenged the cancellation of the April 9 notification.

Justice Talukdar also expressed his displeasure over the conduct of the BJP leader Pratap Banerjee, who appeared in-person before the court, for not disclosing that a similar petition had been moved by the party before the Supreme Court simultaneously.

He also took a very dim view of the conduct of the BJP representative.

"However, in view of the public interest involved, this court is not vacating its directions to the SEC," the judge said.

Likening the BJP's conduct to forum hopping, Justice Talukdar imposed Rs 5 lakh as costs on the party, which would have to be deposited with the registrar general of the high court.

Representing the Trinamool Congress, its vice-president Kalyan Banerjee earlier prayed for vacating the order on the SEC, alleging that the petitioner had suppressed that it had moved both the high court and the apex court with similar petitions.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Viijayvargiya said the judgment was a blow to the ruling TMC.

"The ruling TMC has tried to turn the panchayat polls into farce by not allowing the opposition candidates to file nominations. This high court ruling is a triumph of democracy over dictatorship," Vijayvargiya told reporters.

TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee, on his part, said the people have "full faith" in Mamata Banerjee.

"We will not comment on the court order. The law will take its own course. The opposition parties do not enjoy popularity among the masses and that is why they are approaching the courts (to stall proceedings)," he said.

Chatterjee said that they (opposition) are insulting the people.

Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader, Abdul Mannan also welcomed the judgment and demanded the resignations of the chief minister, besides State Election Commissioner A K Singh.

"The people of Bengal can get justice only by moving courts because the entire state administration has been turned into a back office of the ruling TMC. The chief minister and the (state election) commissioner should immediately tender their resignation as they have turned the poll process into a joke," Mannan told PTI.

Left Front chairman Biman Bose said, "We welcome the high court order. The ruling TMC is trying to murder democracy in Bengal. We have been saying this for a long time that democracy is under threat and opposition parties are not being allowed to file nominations."

The CPI(M)-led Left Front has called a six-hour general strike in the state tomorrow to protest the alleged violence during the filing of the nominations.

Opposition parties in the state termed the high court order as a 'victory of democracy over dictatorship' and sought the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging widespread violence during filing of nominations

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday stayed the ongoing panchayat election process in West Bengal, expressing displeasure over the decision of the State Election Commission (SEC) to cancel its own order extending the nomination process by a day. Opposition parties in the state termed the high court order as a "victory of democracy over dictatorship" and sought the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging widespread violence during filing of nominations. Rejecting the SEC's contention that the writ petition of the BJP was not maintainable, the court held that the state poll panel is endowed with powers relating to holding of the elections, but in case of any digression, it needs to be corrected by the court of law. Passing the order on the petition, Justice Subrata Talukdar stayed till further orders the ongoing panchayat election process in the state. He observed that the commission had recognised the grievances expressed by different political parties as well as individuals by extending the date. "However, the order was abruptly withdrawn," he said. Referring to Wednesday's Supreme Court order with regard to a petition by the West Bengal unit of the BJP challenging the SEC's decision to recall the extension order, Justice Talukdar said that the operative part of the apex court order is crucially connected to the cancellation of the notification. The high court also said that the SEC should have informed it Thursday that it has ensured a level-playing field for all parties. While staying the panchayat elections, the judge also sought from the SEC by Monday a comprehensive status report on the poll process, detailing the number of nominations filed and the percentage of those rejected, among other issues. The court said it would hear on April 16 the pleas challenging the SEC's decision to withdraw its April 9 notification, which had extended the date for filing nominations by a day. The BJP had challenged the cancellation of the April 9 notification. Justice Talukdar also expressed his displeasure over the conduct of the BJP leader Pratap Banerjee, who appeared in-person before the court, for not disclosing that a similar petition had been moved by the party before the Supreme Court simultaneously. He also took a very dim view of the conduct of the BJP representative. "However, in view of the public interest involved, this court is not vacating its directions to the SEC," the judge said. Likening the BJP's conduct to forum hopping, Justice Talukdar imposed Rs 5 lakh as costs on the party, which would have to be deposited with the registrar general of the high court. Representing the Trinamool Congress, its vice-president Kalyan Banerjee earlier prayed for vacating the order on the SEC, alleging that the petitioner had suppressed that it had moved both the high court and the apex court with similar petitions. BJP national general secretary Kailash Viijayvargiya said the judgment was a blow to the ruling TMC. "The ruling TMC has tried to turn the panchayat polls into farce by not allowing the opposition candidates to file nominations. This high court ruling is a triumph of democracy over dictatorship," Vijayvargiya told reporters. TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee, on his part, said the people have "full faith" in Mamata Banerjee. "We will not comment on the court order. The law will take its own course. The opposition parties do not enjoy popularity among the masses and that is why they are approaching the courts (to stall proceedings)," he said. Chatterjee said that they (opposition) are insulting the people. Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader, Abdul Mannan also welcomed the judgment and demanded the resignations of the chief minister, besides State Election Commissioner A K Singh. "The people of Bengal can get justice only by moving courts because the entire state administration has been turned into a back office of the ruling TMC. The chief minister and the (state election) commissioner should immediately tender their resignation as they have turned the poll process into a joke," Mannan told PTI. Left Front chairman Biman Bose said, "We welcome the high court order. The ruling TMC is trying to murder democracy in Bengal. We have been saying this for a long time that democracy is under threat and opposition parties are not being allowed to file nominations." The CPI(M)-led Left Front has called a six-hour general strike in the state tomorrow to protest the alleged violence during the filing of the nominations.

Calcutta High Court stays West Bengal panchayat polls

Following&nbspthe violence over Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal, the police are putting in place elaborate arrangements to avoid any untoward incident during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in the state tomorrow.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-forms-4-member-committee-to-probe-west-bengal-clashes-127249">Amit Shah forms 4 member committee to probe West Bengal clashes</a>

Apart from a ban on armed rallies, additional forces will be deployed in each district and police personnel will be placed outside every religious place.

"Elaborate arrangements have been made. Police will be deployed in every corner of the state, we will keep a tab on any suspicious movement. No one will be allowed to take out armed rallies," a senior police officer said here.

Besides the deployment of additional forces, mobile police teams would patrol the sensitive areas round-the-clock and special monitoring would be done at the Bangladesh border and the inter-state borders, another police official said.

"We have reports that those involved in Sunday's violence (in the Asansol and Raniganj areas of West Burdwan district) were outsiders," the official said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held a meeting yesterday with the state director general of police, ADG (law and order), home secretary and chief secretary.

Apart from taking stock of the prevailing situation in Raniganj and Asansol, the chief minister had directed the police to make strict arrangements in order to avoid any untoward incident.

Three persons were killed in West Burdwan and Purulia districts and several others, including police personnel, were injured during Ram Navami celebrations.&nbsp

Apart from a ban on armed rallies, additional forces will be deployed in each district and police personnel will be placed outside every religious place

Following&nbspthe violence over Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal, the police are putting in place elaborate arrangements to avoid any untoward incident during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in the state tomorrow. Also read: Amit Shah forms 4 member committee to probe West Bengal clashes Apart from a ban on armed rallies, additional forces will be deployed in each district and police personnel will be placed outside every religious place. "Elaborate arrangements have been made. Police will be deployed in every corner of the state, we will keep a tab on any suspicious movement. No one will be allowed to take out armed rallies," a senior police officer said here. Besides the deployment of additional forces, mobile police teams would patrol the sensitive areas round-the-clock and special monitoring would be done at the Bangladesh border and the inter-state borders, another police official said. "We have reports that those involved in Sunday's violence (in the Asansol and Raniganj areas of West Burdwan district) were outsiders," the official said. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held a meeting yesterday with the state director general of police, ADG (law and order), home secretary and chief secretary. Apart from taking stock of the prevailing situation in Raniganj and Asansol, the chief minister had directed the police to make strict arrangements in order to avoid any untoward incident. Three persons were killed in West Burdwan and Purulia districts and several others, including police personnel, were injured during Ram Navami celebrations.

West Bengal: Post-Ram Navami violence, police gear up for Hanuman Jayanti

In the annals of India's political history, twice it has happened that all non-ruling parties came under one umbrella for the sole objective of dethroning the ruling dispensation and usurp the power. Both the times the ruling party was Congress. It was in the decade of seventy against Indira Gandhi and during the late eighties against Rajiv Gandhi.

The coincidence is that during both occasions, coalescing of parties was preceded by a very strong hegemonic run of Congress. Indira became a very strong and undisputed leader in seventies, particularly after India's thumping victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and liberation of Bangladesh. Congress under Rajiv Gandhi won more than 80 per cent seats in the 1984 general elections (highest ever) and swept state polls as well across the nation, barring just a handful number of states.

In 1977, all non-Congress parties coalesced behind Jai Prakash Narayan (JP) and Indira lost. Twelve years later, it was VP Singh who became the symbol of the anti-establishment crusade. In 1989, VP Singh could even bring BJP and Left parties on the same platform as both supported VP Singh's government post-1989 general elections.

The current situation is somewhat reminiscent of 1975-77 and 1987-89, in a sense that ruling party is enjoying the unparalleled power and unending electoral run. Opposition parties are wondering that how will they survive in days to come.

Mamata Banerjee is toiling hard. A few days back, she was in Delhi to meet all the opposition leaders. She even met BJP rebels like Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie. She is trying hard to create a mega anti-Modi alliance and in the process, she believes that she will become the epitome of anti-establishment crusaders like JP and VP Singh and her political career would be elevated to an upper level.

But make no mistake. Mamata's efforts are only only saddled with her own personal political ambitions but also with her personal disliking for Narendra Modi and BJP. Her endeavour is bound to be nothing but a damp squib in the days to come because barring the only similarity from the past the one party (BJP) is in strong command, the situation is entirely different than 1977 and 1989.

First of all, let's see that what happened in 1977 and 1989 after the ruling party was toppled. Janta government under Morarji Desai in 1977 and VP Singh's government in 1989 were disasters, right from the word go. The root cause was common. All those leaders who were vouching for unity before coming to power, turned in to the different lot once they were in power. Ego clashes started and everybody started pursuing his own interests and agenda. None of those governments survived beyond a period of two years.

But in the first place, can Mamata and united opposition pull it off this time like JP or VP Singh did? The answer would a resounding and firm 'NO'. In 1977 and 1989, Indira and Rajiv themselves gave loose points to opposition, on which JP and VP Singh built the massive narrative. But now Modi is sitting firmly with tight control on the overall proceedings. He is giving any loose balls to the opposition.

Moreover, JP and VP Singh were mass leaders, vastly experienced with proven probity in public life and had that natural knack for connecting with voters. Currently, there is only one politician in that class and it is Narendra Modi himself. So Modi can only be rattled if there is someone as big in stature among opposition leaders as Modi is, which actually not the case.

The third thing is media's stand. I remember that how media, particularly Indian Express group of Ramnath Goenka, played a massive role in building an anti-Congress atmosphere. On the contrary, in an extremely unparalleled situation, despite being in power for 46 months, Modi has the support of a larger section of media and rightly so. This fact will play a pivotal role in days to come.

Ultimately everything boils down to the narrative. Unless united opposition has a story to sell among voters, they can't achieve anything.

So what united opposition is trying to achieve is far from achievable in the first place. However if they can do it, it would only be counter-productive for the nation, as history suggests us.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The current situation is somewhat reminiscent of 1975-77 and 1987-89, in a sense that ruling party is enjoying the unparalleled power and unending electoral run.

In the annals of India's political history, twice it has happened that all non-ruling parties came under one umbrella for the sole objective of dethroning the ruling dispensation and usurp the power. Both the times the ruling party was Congress. It was in the decade of seventy against Indira Gandhi and during the late eighties against Rajiv Gandhi. The coincidence is that during both occasions, coalescing of parties was preceded by a very strong hegemonic run of Congress. Indira became a very strong and undisputed leader in seventies, particularly after India's thumping victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and liberation of Bangladesh. Congress under Rajiv Gandhi won more than 80 per cent seats in the 1984 general elections (highest ever) and swept state polls as well across the nation, barring just a handful number of states. In 1977, all non-Congress parties coalesced behind Jai Prakash Narayan (JP) and Indira lost. Twelve years later, it was VP Singh who became the symbol of the anti-establishment crusade. In 1989, VP Singh could even bring BJP and Left parties on the same platform as both supported VP Singh's government post-1989 general elections. The current situation is somewhat reminiscent of 1975-77 and 1987-89, in a sense that ruling party is enjoying the unparalleled power and unending electoral run. Opposition parties are wondering that how will they survive in days to come. Mamata Banerjee is toiling hard. A few days back, she was in Delhi to meet all the opposition leaders. She even met BJP rebels like Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie. She is trying hard to create a mega anti-Modi alliance and in the process, she believes that she will become the epitome of anti-establishment crusaders like JP and VP Singh and her political career would be elevated to an upper level. But make no mistake. Mamata's efforts are only only saddled with her own personal political ambitions but also with her personal disliking for Narendra Modi and BJP. Her endeavour is bound to be nothing but a damp squib in the days to come because barring the only similarity from the past the one party (BJP) is in strong command, the situation is entirely different than 1977 and 1989. First of all, let's see that what happened in 1977 and 1989 after the ruling party was toppled. Janta government under Morarji Desai in 1977 and VP Singh's government in 1989 were disasters, right from the word go. The root cause was common. All those leaders who were vouching for unity before coming to power, turned in to the different lot once they were in power. Ego clashes started and everybody started pursuing his own interests and agenda. None of those governments survived beyond a period of two years. But in the first place, can Mamata and united opposition pull it off this time like JP or VP Singh did? The answer would a resounding and firm 'NO'. In 1977 and 1989, Indira and Rajiv themselves gave loose points to opposition, on which JP and VP Singh built the massive narrative. But now Modi is sitting firmly with tight control on the overall proceedings. He is giving any loose balls to the opposition. Moreover, JP and VP Singh were mass leaders, vastly experienced with proven probity in public life and had that natural knack for connecting with voters. Currently, there is only one politician in that class and it is Narendra Modi himself. So Modi can only be rattled if there is someone as big in stature among opposition leaders as Modi is, which actually not the case. The third thing is media's stand. I remember that how media, particularly Indian Express group of Ramnath Goenka, played a massive role in building an anti-Congress atmosphere. On the contrary, in an extremely unparalleled situation, despite being in power for 46 months, Modi has the support of a larger section of media and rightly so. This fact will play a pivotal role in days to come. Ultimately everything boils down to the narrative. Unless united opposition has a story to sell among voters, they can't achieve anything. So what united opposition is trying to achieve is far from achievable in the first place. However if they can do it, it would only be counter-productive for the nation, as history suggests us. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why Mamata's bid is not only unwarranted but also futile

The BJP today hit out at TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over incidents of violence during Ram Navami processions in West Bengal, saying while her state was "burning", she was "doing politics" in the national capital.

Peaceful Ram Navami processions were attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) "thugs" in the state, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

"Bengal is burning and Mamata is doing politics in Delhi. It is like Nero fiddled while Rome was burning," he said.

Innocent devotees of Lord Ram were attacked by TMC workers in the state and the West Bengal government is doing nothing about it, the Union HRD minister alleged.

Javadekar accused Banerjee of being insensitive towards the state and said that "this attitude of the TMC supremo is insult to the people's mandate".

"It is also an insult to the chief minister post," he said.

The West Bengal chief minister is free to do politics and the BJP is quite capable of replying to it, the minister said.

"But one should not do politics on the cost of the state and her constitutional duties," he said.

Erstwhile TMC leader Mukul Roy, who joined the BJP last year, also attacked Banerjee over the law and order situation in the state.

He claimed that she aspires to become the prime minister, but has forgotten her duties as the state's chief minister.

"Instead of discharging her constitutional duties, Mamata Banerjee is in Delhi to form a third front," he said.

Innocent devotees of Lord Ram were attacked by TMC workers in the state and the West Bengal government is doing nothing about it, the Union HRD minister alleged.

The BJP today hit out at TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over incidents of violence during Ram Navami processions in West Bengal, saying while her state was "burning", she was "doing politics" in the national capital. Peaceful Ram Navami processions were attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) "thugs" in the state, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar told reporters here. "Bengal is burning and Mamata is doing politics in Delhi. It is like Nero fiddled while Rome was burning," he said. Innocent devotees of Lord Ram were attacked by TMC workers in the state and the West Bengal government is doing nothing about it, the Union HRD minister alleged. Javadekar accused Banerjee of being insensitive towards the state and said that "this attitude of the TMC supremo is insult to the people's mandate". "It is also an insult to the chief minister post," he said. The West Bengal chief minister is free to do politics and the BJP is quite capable of replying to it, the minister said. "But one should not do politics on the cost of the state and her constitutional duties," he said. Erstwhile TMC leader Mukul Roy, who joined the BJP last year, also attacked Banerjee over the law and order situation in the state. He claimed that she aspires to become the prime minister, but has forgotten her duties as the state's chief minister. "Instead of discharging her constitutional duties, Mamata Banerjee is in Delhi to form a third front," he said.

Bengal burning, Mamata doing politics in Delhi: Javadekar

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and leaders of some regional parties as well as NDA ally Shiv Sena to explore a "federal front" option to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls, mooting a "one-to-one" fight in all the states.'

According to a senior NCP leader, who did not want to be identified, Banerjee at the same time favoured a front without involving the Congress.

The Trinamool Congress(TMC) supremo sought to rally the regional parties against the NDA even as Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who mooted a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition in national politics, said the alternative being proposed by him would be a "people's front of India".

Coming down heavily on the NDA-led Centre, Banerjee said issues like demonetisation and bank frauds have affected people at the grassroot level and that it was time for the BJP to "pack up and go".

She asserted that all opposition parties should work together to oust the BJP.

Banerjee, who is in Delhi for three days, had an hour-long meeting with Pawar and other NCP leaders at his office in Parliament.

Pawar had earlier in the day denied that a meeting over dinner with opposition parties was scheduled tonight.

"There is no meeting, there is no dinner," Pawar had said in response to a question whether there will be a dinner meeting with the West Bengal chief minister.

Banerjee, who also met leaders from other opposition parties like the TDP, which recently walked out of the BJP-led NDA over the issue of special status to Andhra Pradesh, TRS, SP, RJD, BJD, NC and JMM, once again emphasised that the need of the hour is have a state-wise strategy to defeat the BJP.

She met Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut along with other Sena members of Parliament triggering speculation in political circles. The Sena, though a part of the ruling NDA, has been critical of Maharashtra and central governments.

"All opposition parties should work together. It should be a one-to-one fight against the BJP. All opposition parties should help the strongest one in the state against the BJP," Banerjee told reporters.

On the issue of opposition unity, Banerjee hailed the alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh and said that all opposition parties should come together to help the alliance.

"If Akhilesh and Mayawati call a meeting in Lucknow, we will all go. We should help the parties where they are strong," she said.

Raut denied that Shiv Sena was joining any front, but said that the Shiv Sena and Banerjee have "a very warm" relationship and there were certain things which Banerjee wanted to convey to Uddhav Thackeray. 
Banerjee later said that she "respects" Shiv Sena.

"At least it does not do politics with a gun in their hand. There is no party more communal than the BJP," Banerjee said.

The chief minister will also meet rebel BJP leaders Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha and former Union minister Arun Shourie tomorrow.

Though Banerjee is said to be favouring a Front without the Congress, she did say she was in touch with its president Rahul Gandhi. TMC leaders said she is planning to meet Sonia Gandhi.

Replying to a query, Banerjee said she has been exchanging messages with Rahul Gandhi 
According to a senior NCP leader, Banerjee favoured forming a "federal front" to defeat the BJP without involving the Congress.

"She said that a non-Congress federal front should be formed to take on the BJP in the assembly as well as the Lok Sabha elections. She feels that if the Congress becomes a part of the opposition front, then many parties like the BJD, TDP would not join the alliance. But she urged the NCP leader to also speak to other opposition parties to know their views," the leader, who did not want to be identified, said.

Later NCP leader Praful Patel, while briefing the media on the meeting, said that both the leaders agreed that there should be "maximum unity" among opposition parties to take on the BJP.

"The situation will evolve in the coming months for assembly and Lok Sabha polls. There are of course a lot of different views on what kind of approach should be taken.

"But certainly what the leaders discussed was that opposition unity should be maximum possible as has been witnessed today in Uttar Pradesh where the BSP and the SP have started working together and therefore it is important that political differences among opposition should be resolved,"Patel told reporters. 
&nbsp;

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said that all opposition parties should work together to oust the BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and leaders of some regional parties as well as NDA ally Shiv Sena to explore a "federal front" option to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls, mooting a "one-to-one" fight in all the states.' According to a senior NCP leader, who did not want to be identified, Banerjee at the same time favoured a front without involving the Congress. The Trinamool Congress(TMC) supremo sought to rally the regional parties against the NDA even as Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who mooted a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition in national politics, said the alternative being proposed by him would be a "people's front of India". Coming down heavily on the NDA-led Centre, Banerjee said issues like demonetisation and bank frauds have affected people at the grassroot level and that it was time for the BJP to "pack up and go". She asserted that all opposition parties should work together to oust the BJP. Banerjee, who is in Delhi for three days, had an hour-long meeting with Pawar and other NCP leaders at his office in Parliament. Pawar had earlier in the day denied that a meeting over dinner with opposition parties was scheduled tonight. "There is no meeting, there is no dinner," Pawar had said in response to a question whether there will be a dinner meeting with the West Bengal chief minister. Banerjee, who also met leaders from other opposition parties like the TDP, which recently walked out of the BJP-led NDA over the issue of special status to Andhra Pradesh, TRS, SP, RJD, BJD, NC and JMM, once again emphasised that the need of the hour is have a state-wise strategy to defeat the BJP. She met Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut along with other Sena members of Parliament triggering speculation in political circles. The Sena, though a part of the ruling NDA, has been critical of Maharashtra and central governments. "All opposition parties should work together. It should be a one-to-one fight against the BJP. All opposition parties should help the strongest one in the state against the BJP," Banerjee told reporters. On the issue of opposition unity, Banerjee hailed the alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh and said that all opposition parties should come together to help the alliance. "If Akhilesh and Mayawati call a meeting in Lucknow, we will all go. We should help the parties where they are strong," she said. Raut denied that Shiv Sena was joining any front, but said that the Shiv Sena and Banerjee have "a very warm" relationship and there were certain things which Banerjee wanted to convey to Uddhav Thackeray. Banerjee later said that she "respects" Shiv Sena. "At least it does not do politics with a gun in their hand. There is no party more communal than the BJP," Banerjee said. The chief minister will also meet rebel BJP leaders Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha and former Union minister Arun Shourie tomorrow. Though Banerjee is said to be favouring a Front without the Congress, she did say she was in touch with its president Rahul Gandhi. TMC leaders said she is planning to meet Sonia Gandhi. Replying to a query, Banerjee said she has been exchanging messages with Rahul Gandhi According to a senior NCP leader, Banerjee favoured forming a "federal front" to defeat the BJP without involving the Congress. "She said that a non-Congress federal front should be formed to take on the BJP in the assembly as well as the Lok Sabha elections. She feels that if the Congress becomes a part of the opposition front, then many parties like the BJD, TDP would not join the alliance. But she urged the NCP leader to also speak to other opposition parties to know their views," the leader, who did not want to be identified, said. Later NCP leader Praful Patel, while briefing the media on the meeting, said that both the leaders agreed that there should be "maximum unity" among opposition parties to take on the BJP. "The situation will evolve in the coming months for assembly and Lok Sabha polls. There are of course a lot of different views on what kind of approach should be taken. "But certainly what the leaders discussed was that opposition unity should be maximum possible as has been witnessed today in Uttar Pradesh where the BSP and the SP have started working together and therefore it is important that political differences among opposition should be resolved,"Patel told reporters.

Time for BJP to pack up and go: Mamata Banerjee

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee&nbsp;met with the&nbsp;Nationalist&nbsp;Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar and is also expected to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi tomorrow.&nbsp;

She is in Delhi on a four-day&nbsp;visit to the national capital.

Mamata's visit is being seen as part of an attempt to cobble together opposition support against the BJP for the upcoming national elections polls in 2019.

Also read: Opposition parties are uniting: Sharad Yadav

Mamata's meet with the opposition leaders' closely follows the dinner gathering hosted by Sonia earlier this month.&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi had met one-to-one with Pawar after the dinner, leading to the NCP saying the meet indicated Rahul was serious about forging a broad alliance.&nbsp;

A broad alliance against the BJP has been the talk of the season, especially now with it having been proved to work after the UP Lok Sabha bypolls which the BSP sat out, thus allowing the SP to win the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats.&nbsp;

The two seats&nbsp;had been vacated by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Both the SP's Akhilesh and the BSP's Mayawati have since said that their "understanding" will continue, although Mayawati has added that their bypoll tie-up will not continue.&nbsp;

Mamata has so far said her meeting with Sonia will be a "personal visit", and that she has been concerned about Gandhi's health.&nbsp;It is not yet known whether she will also meet with Rahul.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Mamata's visit is being seen as part of an attempt to cobble together opposition support against the BJP for the upcoming national elections polls in 2019

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with the Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar and is also expected to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi tomorrow. She is in Delhi on a four-day visit to the national capital. Mamata's visit is being seen as part of an attempt to cobble together opposition support against the BJP for the upcoming national elections polls in 2019. Also read: Opposition parties are uniting: Sharad Yadav Mamata's meet with the opposition leaders' closely follows the dinner gathering hosted by Sonia earlier this month. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had met one-to-one with Pawar after the dinner, leading to the NCP saying the meet indicated Rahul was serious about forging a broad alliance. A broad alliance against the BJP has been the talk of the season, especially now with it having been proved to work after the UP Lok Sabha bypolls which the BSP sat out, thus allowing the SP to win the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats. The two seats had been vacated by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Both the SP's Akhilesh and the BSP's Mayawati have since said that their "understanding" will continue, although Mayawati has added that their bypoll tie-up will not continue. Mamata has so far said her meeting with Sonia will be a "personal visit", and that she has been concerned about Gandhi's health. It is not yet known whether she will also meet with Rahul.

Mamata in Delhi, meets Sharad Pawar, will also meet Sonia Gandhi

A Ram Navami pandal was vandalised on Saturday evening by unidentified miscreants in Bardhman district of West Bengal.

The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress.

Four persons are reported to be injured in the incident.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
West Bengal: 4 injured after a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamaNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamaNavami</a> pandal set up by BJP workers was attacked by miscreants in Bardhaman last night. BJP alleged that TMC was behind the incident. Police investigation underway. <a href="https://t.co/WBP4LrrmJ4">pic.twitter.com/WBP4LrrmJ4</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977764065354317824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

A police investigation is also underway.

Security has also been stepped up in the region following the incident.&nbsp;

The BJP has further planned rallies across the state to celebrate the festival fuelling the tension in the state.

In Kolkata also several rallies were organised reportedly by members of the Sangh Parivar.

Following the rally announcement made by BJP workers, TMC had also announced that it would organise Ram Navami in several districts as the&nbsp;festival is not very popular in the region.

So far no reports of any violence have been reported from any district.

West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee had also instructed police to no permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami.

However, news agency ANI reported Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti was seen brandishing swords in a procession at Siliguri, West Bengal.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti took out a procession on the occasion of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> where people were seen brandishing swords, in West Bengal&#39;s Siliguri <a href="https://t.co/UZudBIo0Hn">pic.twitter.com/UZudBIo0Hn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977827172902633472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress

A Ram Navami pandal was vandalised on Saturday evening by unidentified miscreants in Bardhman district of West Bengal. The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress. Four persons are reported to be injured in the incident. West Bengal: 4 injured after a #RamaNavami pandal set up by BJP workers was attacked by miscreants in Bardhaman last night. BJP alleged that TMC was behind the incident. Police investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/WBP4LrrmJ4 — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 × A police investigation is also underway. Security has also been stepped up in the region following the incident. The BJP has further planned rallies across the state to celebrate the festival fuelling the tension in the state. In Kolkata also several rallies were organised reportedly by members of the Sangh Parivar. Following the rally announcement made by BJP workers, TMC had also announced that it would organise Ram Navami in several districts as the festival is not very popular in the region. So far no reports of any violence have been reported from any district. West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee had also instructed police to no permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami. However, news agency ANI reported Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti was seen brandishing swords in a procession at Siliguri, West Bengal. Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti took out a procession on the occasion of #RamNavami where people were seen brandishing swords, in West Bengal's Siliguri pic.twitter.com/UZudBIo0Hn — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 ×

West Bengal: Ram Navami pandals vandalised, BJP accuses TMC

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to meet Mohammed Shami&#39;s wife on March 23, 2018.

Three days back, Mohammed Shami&#39;s wife Hasin Jahan had written to the chief minister seeking an appointment to meet her. Accepting the request, Banerjee has given her time on March 23, 2018.

On the other hand, Kolkata Police has written to the Home Ministry requesting them to be allowed to go to Dubai for investigation.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami&#39;s wife Hasin Jahan had sought &quot;help&quot; of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her pitched battle against her husband.

Jahan has levelled numerous allegations on her husband, ranging from adultery, match fixing to even attempt to murder.

Recently, in a press conference at the Bankshall Court sought the chief minister&#39;s intervention, reiterating that there&#39;s no question of a reconciliation.

&quot;It&#39;s a fight for truth by a helpless woman against a celebrity cricketer who has fame, name and money. No one is with me and I request the chief minister to come for the support of truth, but not me or Shami,&quot; Jahan told reporters.

&quot;Our fight has reached a stage that there&#39;s no question of a compromise now. I will fight my own battle. If I give up now, it will be the loss of face for the whole women community. And why should I? I&#39;ve all the evidence with me. No chance,&quot; she said firmly.

Jahan further alleged that Shami is still giving her threats as she sought for a police protection.

Mohammed Shami's wife Hasin Jahan had sought "help" of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her pitched battle against her husband

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to meet Mohammed Shami's wife on March 23, 2018. Three days back, Mohammed Shami's wife Hasin Jahan had written to the chief minister seeking an appointment to meet her. Accepting the request, Banerjee has given her time on March 23, 2018. On the other hand, Kolkata Police has written to the Home Ministry requesting them to be allowed to go to Dubai for investigation. Indian pacer Mohammed Shami's wife Hasin Jahan had sought "help" of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her pitched battle against her husband. Jahan has levelled numerous allegations on her husband, ranging from adultery, match fixing to even attempt to murder. Recently, in a press conference at the Bankshall Court sought the chief minister's intervention, reiterating that there's no question of a reconciliation. "It's a fight for truth by a helpless woman against a celebrity cricketer who has fame, name and money. No one is with me and I request the chief minister to come for the support of truth, but not me or Shami," Jahan told reporters. "Our fight has reached a stage that there's no question of a compromise now. I will fight my own battle. If I give up now, it will be the loss of face for the whole women community. And why should I? I've all the evidence with me. No chance," she said firmly. Jahan further alleged that Shami is still giving her threats as she sought for a police protection.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to meet Shami's wife Hasin Jahan

Lalu Prasad Yadav thanked the West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee after the latter congratulated him for winning the Araria Lok Sabha seat and &nbsp;Jehanabad assembly bypolls.&nbsp;

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Thank you Didi..Together We are fighting, we shall fight &amp; We will Win. <a href="https://t.co/j92Ro6Z9UI">https://t.co/j92Ro6Z9UI</a>
&mdash; Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) <a href="https://twitter.com/laluprasadrjd/status/973845105135308800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The RJD leader, who is currently serving his three-and-a-half-year jail term in Birsa Munda Central Jail after he was convicted in the fodder scam, thanked the West Bengal CM and said &#39;&#39;together we are fighting, we shall fight and we will win&#39;&#39;. 
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&#39;&#39;Thank you Didi..Together We are fighting, we shall fight &amp; We will Win.&#39;&#39;

Earlier reacting to BJP&rsquo;s poor show in the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh bypolls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said &ldquo;the beginning of the end has started&rdquo; as she congratulated the SP, BSP and the RJD.

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Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/laluprasadrjd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@laluprasadrjd</a> Ji for winning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Araria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Araria</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jehanabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jehanabad</a> This is a great victory
&mdash; Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/973843034428198912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In a series of tweets, Mamata said: &ldquo;Great victory. Congratulations to Mayawati Ji and @yadavakhilesh Ji for #UPByPolls. The beginning of the end has started.&rdquo;

She also congratulated &nbsp;Lalu Prasad Yadav for winning Araria and Jehanabad and said that &#39;&#39;This is a great victory&#39;&#39;. 
&nbsp;

Earlier reacting to BJP’s poor show in the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh bypolls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said “the beginning of the end has started” as she congratulated the SP, BSP and the RJD.

Lalu Prasad Yadav thanked the West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee after the latter congratulated him for winning the Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad assembly bypolls. Thank you Didi..Together We are fighting, we shall fight & We will Win. https://t.co/j92Ro6Z9UI — Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) March 14, 2018 × The RJD leader, who is currently serving his three-and-a-half-year jail term in Birsa Munda Central Jail after he was convicted in the fodder scam, thanked the West Bengal CM and said ''together we are fighting, we shall fight and we will win''. ''Thank you Didi..Together We are fighting, we shall fight & We will Win.'' Earlier reacting to BJP’s poor show in the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh bypolls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said “the beginning of the end has started” as she congratulated the SP, BSP and the RJD. Congratulations to @laluprasadrjd Ji for winning #Araria and #Jehanabad This is a great victory — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 14, 2018 × In a series of tweets, Mamata said: “Great victory. Congratulations to Mayawati Ji and @yadavakhilesh Ji for #UPByPolls. The beginning of the end has started.” She also congratulated Lalu Prasad Yadav for winning Araria and Jehanabad and said that ''This is a great victory''.

'Thank you Didi!': Lalu thanks Mamata Banerjee after Bihar bypolls victory

DMK working president MK Stalin today confirmed receiving a call from West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on the possibility of a third front.

Stalin said that the DMK was already a part of the UPA and since there was one more year for the general elections, whatever decision had been taken would be discussed with a high-level committee.

&quot;TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee called me on March 4 for a &#39;Third Front&#39;. DMK is a part of UPA already and there is one more year for general elections, so whatever decision we have to take we will discuss with the high-level committee,&quot; Stalin said in Chennai.

The Trinamool Congress had earlier confirmed that its chief Mamata Banerjee had reached out to Stalin for co-ordination in and outside Parliament.

&quot;Mamata Banerjee has taken a lead in defeating the BJP by talking to &#39;federal&#39; parties. &quot;We are on track&quot;, TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O&#39;Brien had said.

After calling up Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, Ms Banerjee held telephonic conversation with the DMK leader, Mr O&#39;Brien said, adding there was &quot;good coordination&quot; between TRS, TDP, SP, BSP, TMC and DMK in Parliament on various issues.

His remarks came in the backdrop of Mamata Banerjee again pitching for regional parties to come together to take on the BJP after the results of assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

Derek O&#39; Brien had said that during her nearly 12-minute conversation, Mamata Banerjee told Stalin that a good show by the TMC and the DMK in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively would mean a block of nearly 75 MPs in Parliament.

A day after he announced his entry into national politics, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao had received support from various political leaders, including Ms Banerjee.

&quot;From morning, I have been receiving many calls from various places in India. This afternoon West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called me and said that I have taken the right decision and she will be supporting me and that we will go forward together,&quot; Mr Rao had said a couple of days ago.

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Stalin said that the DMK was already a part of the UPA and since there was one more year for the general elections, whatever decision had been taken would be discussed with a high-level committee

DMK working president MK Stalin today confirmed receiving a call from West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on the possibility of a third front. Stalin said that the DMK was already a part of the UPA and since there was one more year for the general elections, whatever decision had been taken would be discussed with a high-level committee. "TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee called me on March 4 for a 'Third Front'. DMK is a part of UPA already and there is one more year for general elections, so whatever decision we have to take we will discuss with the high-level committee," Stalin said in Chennai. The Trinamool Congress had earlier confirmed that its chief Mamata Banerjee had reached out to Stalin for co-ordination in and outside Parliament. "Mamata Banerjee has taken a lead in defeating the BJP by talking to 'federal' parties. "We are on track", TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien had said. After calling up Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, Ms Banerjee held telephonic conversation with the DMK leader, Mr O'Brien said, adding there was "good coordination" between TRS, TDP, SP, BSP, TMC and DMK in Parliament on various issues. His remarks came in the backdrop of Mamata Banerjee again pitching for regional parties to come together to take on the BJP after the results of assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Derek O' Brien had said that during her nearly 12-minute conversation, Mamata Banerjee told Stalin that a good show by the TMC and the DMK in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively would mean a block of nearly 75 MPs in Parliament. A day after he announced his entry into national politics, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao had received support from various political leaders, including Ms Banerjee. "From morning, I have been receiving many calls from various places in India. This afternoon West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called me and said that I have taken the right decision and she will be supporting me and that we will go forward together," Mr Rao had said a couple of days ago. (With inputs from PTI)

What Stalin has to say on Mamata's phone call for a 'third front'

Congress has decided to stay away from the &lsquo;Third Front&rsquo; experiment mooted by some regional parties, including Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) are making efforts to stitch together a &#39;non-Congress, non-BJP&#39; front bringing together like-minded parties.

But sources in the Congress say that such talks are a result of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee nursing prime ministerial ambitions, and TRS president KCR trying to fight the heat of incumbency in his state.

Many senior leaders in the Congress are of the opinion that most of the regional leaders will come around by election time but Congress cannot become a casualty of a tie-up where its organisation is further impacted.

&quot;Everyone is free to pursue their agenda and ambition. KCR for four years considered Modi as the only leader and aligned with him. Now Congress has put heat on him and his party is taking a nose dive so he wants to create an alternative,&quot; Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told WION.

Though it targets KCR, Congress officially remains diplomatic on Mamata and maintains that both parties will resolve their differences to come together on issues of national importance.

However, Mamata and KCR have received support from regional players. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi told WION that since Congress has not taken the initiative, other parties are filling the vacuum. Even DMK has been contacted on this issue which has decided to discuss the proposal.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi spoke to KCR over phone on Monday and expressed support for the plan to float a Third Front-like formation. Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has also extended support to the proposal.

Congress, for now, is focussing on nourishing the organisation amid fears that the party will wither away completely after humiliating losses in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland assembly elections. It is for this reason that Congress has kept away from joining the SP-BSP combine to fight the Phoolpur and Gorakhpur bypolls in Uttar Pradesh.

&quot;Parties are free to contest but we will not withdraw our candidates from the fray,&quot; Surjewala said.

The idea, sources say, is to have a front which is led by the Grand Old Party. And Sonia Gandhi&#39;s invitation to leaders of opposition parties for a dinner on March 13 points to that, they say.

Several leaders have confirmed their attendance, a Congress leader said, declining to go into spcifics. However, he said Sonia Gandhi is keen to have all top opposition party leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is yet to confirm.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao are making efforts to stitch together a 'non-Congress, non-BJP' front bringing together like-minded parties

Congress has decided to stay away from the ‘Third Front’ experiment mooted by some regional parties, including Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) are making efforts to stitch together a 'non-Congress, non-BJP' front bringing together like-minded parties. But sources in the Congress say that such talks are a result of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee nursing prime ministerial ambitions, and TRS president KCR trying to fight the heat of incumbency in his state. Many senior leaders in the Congress are of the opinion that most of the regional leaders will come around by election time but Congress cannot become a casualty of a tie-up where its organisation is further impacted. "Everyone is free to pursue their agenda and ambition. KCR for four years considered Modi as the only leader and aligned with him. Now Congress has put heat on him and his party is taking a nose dive so he wants to create an alternative," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told WION. Though it targets KCR, Congress officially remains diplomatic on Mamata and maintains that both parties will resolve their differences to come together on issues of national importance. However, Mamata and KCR have received support from regional players. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi told WION that since Congress has not taken the initiative, other parties are filling the vacuum. Even DMK has been contacted on this issue which has decided to discuss the proposal. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi spoke to KCR over phone on Monday and expressed support for the plan to float a Third Front-like formation. Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has also extended support to the proposal. Congress, for now, is focussing on nourishing the organisation amid fears that the party will wither away completely after humiliating losses in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland assembly elections. It is for this reason that Congress has kept away from joining the SP-BSP combine to fight the Phoolpur and Gorakhpur bypolls in Uttar Pradesh. "Parties are free to contest but we will not withdraw our candidates from the fray," Surjewala said. The idea, sources say, is to have a front which is led by the Grand Old Party. And Sonia Gandhi's invitation to leaders of opposition parties for a dinner on March 13 points to that, they say. Several leaders have confirmed their attendance, a Congress leader said, declining to go into spcifics. However, he said Sonia Gandhi is keen to have all top opposition party leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is yet to confirm.

Congress cold-shoulders idea of 'Third Front'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the West Bengal government for its stand against the Centre&#39;s Aadhaar scheme, saying what was wrong in having &#39;one-nation, one-identity&#39; for all Indians through the measure. 
 
The Mamata Banerjee government, which had on Tuesday challenged the Aadhaar scheme and its enabling 2016 Act, told a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that Indianness has nothing to do with a particular kind of identity. 
 
The state government has attacked the scheme on grounds including that it would lead to &#39;one-nation, one-identity&#39;. 
 
&quot;Yes, we all are citizens of this country and Indianness has nothing to do with this kind of identity,&quot; it told the bench which also comprised justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan. 
 
The court questioned senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, on what he thought about the concept of &#39;one-nation, one-identity&#39;. 
 
&quot;We are proud Indians and are passionately Indians, but everything is wrong with Aadhaar. Indianness has nothing to do with identity. Let us not go into this debate as it is more political than legal. We are more than this Aadhaar. That&#39;s all,&quot; Mr Sibal responded<iframe frameborder="0" height="0" id="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="100%"></iframe>The senior advocate, who resumed arguments, read out the Aadhaar Act to say that it was a wrongly drafted law with respect to &#39;alternatives&#39;, because there was no scope of authentication of identity of an individual except Aadhaar. 
 
The Aadhaar Act deals with no scope of other alternatives to establish identity of an individual, Mr Sibal said, adding banks say that they do not want any other information or card and ask only for Aadhaar number. 
 
Giving an illustration, he said the United Kingdom, which initially started a biometric authentication mechanism, scrapped it because the system was vulnerable. 
 
&quot;I am not saying that the State will misuse my Aadhaar information, but how does this Aadhaar make everyone vulnerable? This vulnerability is where the violation of my right comes in,&quot; he said. 
 
Mr Sibal argued that his first submission is about the centralisation of data and said that Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) claims that it is secure because it is federated -- that is the database is broken and stored in multiple locations. 
 
He cited a recent Reserve Bank of India report circulated among its staffers, which identified Central ID Repository is a &quot;single target&quot; for internal/external/indigenous/foreign attacks and also a &quot;single point of failure&quot;. 
 
The bench said that theoretically every centralised database can be hacked, but this does not necessarily mean that it is vulnerable. 
 
&quot;It is acknowledgement of the fact that you need to take extra care and safeguards should be there to protect it,&quot; Justice Chandrachud said. 
 
Mr Sibal replied, &quot;I need to be assured that my data is protected but in a digital world, there can be no such assurance and once my property (biometric information) is lost then in the physical world you may retrieve it but in the virtual world you cannot. This is the future world we are heading into,&quot; he said and added, &quot;In the digital world one knows more about you than one knows about himself&quot;. 
 
The bench replied, &quot;In the digital world it is not necessarily true what is advertised&quot;. 
 
Mr Sibal said Aadhaar impacts federalism and exclusions caused due to it violates the right to equal treatment. 
 
&quot;It disproportionately impacts people who are aged, those who are engaged in manual labour and disabled people,&quot; he said.

The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. 
 
Yesterday, the West Bengal government used Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s recent speech at the World Economic Forum at Davos that one who controls data would control the world, to assail the ambitious Aadhaar scheme, saying the Centre would control personal information of citizens to have a grip over them.

The state government has attacked the scheme on grounds including that it would lead to 'one-nation, one-identity'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the West Bengal government for its stand against the Centre's Aadhaar scheme, saying what was wrong in having 'one-nation, one-identity' for all Indians through the measure. The Mamata Banerjee government, which had on Tuesday challenged the Aadhaar scheme and its enabling 2016 Act, told a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that Indianness has nothing to do with a particular kind of identity. The state government has attacked the scheme on grounds including that it would lead to 'one-nation, one-identity'. "Yes, we all are citizens of this country and Indianness has nothing to do with this kind of identity," it told the bench which also comprised justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan. The court questioned senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, on what he thought about the concept of 'one-nation, one-identity'. "We are proud Indians and are passionately Indians, but everything is wrong with Aadhaar. Indianness has nothing to do with identity. Let us not go into this debate as it is more political than legal. We are more than this Aadhaar. That's all," Mr Sibal respondedThe senior advocate, who resumed arguments, read out the Aadhaar Act to say that it was a wrongly drafted law with respect to 'alternatives', because there was no scope of authentication of identity of an individual except Aadhaar. The Aadhaar Act deals with no scope of other alternatives to establish identity of an individual, Mr Sibal said, adding banks say that they do not want any other information or card and ask only for Aadhaar number. Giving an illustration, he said the United Kingdom, which initially started a biometric authentication mechanism, scrapped it because the system was vulnerable. "I am not saying that the State will misuse my Aadhaar information, but how does this Aadhaar make everyone vulnerable? This vulnerability is where the violation of my right comes in," he said. Mr Sibal argued that his first submission is about the centralisation of data and said that Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) claims that it is secure because it is federated -- that is the database is broken and stored in multiple locations. He cited a recent Reserve Bank of India report circulated among its staffers, which identified Central ID Repository is a "single target" for internal/external/indigenous/foreign attacks and also a "single point of failure". The bench said that theoretically every centralised database can be hacked, but this does not necessarily mean that it is vulnerable. "It is acknowledgement of the fact that you need to take extra care and safeguards should be there to protect it," Justice Chandrachud said. Mr Sibal replied, "I need to be assured that my data is protected but in a digital world, there can be no such assurance and once my property (biometric information) is lost then in the physical world you may retrieve it but in the virtual world you cannot. This is the future world we are heading into," he said and added, "In the digital world one knows more about you than one knows about himself". The bench replied, "In the digital world it is not necessarily true what is advertised". Mr Sibal said Aadhaar impacts federalism and exclusions caused due to it violates the right to equal treatment. "It disproportionately impacts people who are aged, those who are engaged in manual labour and disabled people," he said. The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. Yesterday, the West Bengal government used Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech at the World Economic Forum at Davos that one who controls data would control the world, to assail the ambitious Aadhaar scheme, saying the Centre would control personal information of citizens to have a grip over them.

What's wrong with 'one nation, one identity' idea: Supreme Court asks West Bengal government

An Indian journalist accompanying West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was caught stealing cutlery at a dinner party in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The dinner was hosted by an industrialist on November 17 last year at an Edinburgh hotel.

The journalist, who is around 60 years old, had at first denied the charges but the&nbsp;security footage caught him out.&nbsp;

This was Mamata&#39;s maiden trip to Scotland.&nbsp;The meeting had been meant to attract investment.&nbsp;

The chief minister had been accompanied by government officials, editors, and senior journalists.

The journalist had also tried to put the stolen cutlery into the bag of a fellow journalist.&nbsp;

He was finally charged with a 50-pound fine by the hotel.&nbsp;

The other journalists had not mentioned the incident because it involved a colleague but, news reports said, one of them finally broke&nbsp;his silence to a Bengali tabloid.&nbsp;

The dinner was hosted by an industrialist on November 17 last year at a hotel

An Indian journalist accompanying West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was caught stealing cutlery at a dinner party in Edinburgh, Scotland. The dinner was hosted by an industrialist on November 17 last year at an Edinburgh hotel. The journalist, who is around 60 years old, had at first denied the charges but the security footage caught him out. This was Mamata's maiden trip to Scotland. The meeting had been meant to attract investment. The chief minister had been accompanied by government officials, editors, and senior journalists. The journalist had also tried to put the stolen cutlery into the bag of a fellow journalist. He was finally charged with a 50-pound fine by the hotel. The other journalists had not mentioned the incident because it involved a colleague but, news reports said, one of them finally broke his silence to a Bengali tabloid.

Journalist accompanying Mamata Banerjee caught stealing cutlery at Edinburgh dinner party

Mamata Banerjee today stands as one of the few unaligned politicians who has the capacity to capture the national audience. She is a state leader with a national stature. A quintessential outsider who made it big on her own merit and hard work.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;She not only defeated the Left Front but also stopped the BJP&rsquo;s surge in West Bengal. Whether it was &#39;Ma Mati Manush&#39; campaign line or Congress-Left combine campaign against her, Mamata survived. She bettered herself. Highly populist, overtly loud but simple in style, Mamata today stands at the crossroad. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;The question is whether Mamata Banerjee can do a Harkrishan Surjit? Can Mamata be a Kingmaker? Can Mamata forge an alliance of regional parties with the Congress to give a good fight in the Lok Sabha elections slated in 2019?

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The answer lies in the changing landscape of the Indian politics. The 1970s saw the rise of powerful non- Congress leadership across Indian states.&nbsp; Most of the leaders enjoyed iconic status in the national politics. From Karunanidhi to Prakash Singh Badal to Sharad Pawar to Hedge to Bal Thackery, these leaders had both way and the say. The politics at Centre had leaders like Charan Singh, Madhu Dandavate, Surendra Mohan, Somnath Banerji, Chandrashekhar and many others. They were united by anti-Congressism.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;It is this stream which birthed two non-Congress governments. The first was between 1970-80 and second was 1990 VP Singh&rsquo;s government and third was United Front experiment of 1996-98. Surprisingly all three tenures gave two prime ministers each. The first had Morarji Desai and Charan Singh. The second one gave VP Singh and Chandrasekhar and the last gave Deve Gowda and IK Gujaral.

&nbsp;

Once this exercise got politically discredited, India saw a split in the regional parties on the issue of Congress and, subsequently, most of them took positions on the issue of secularism. It is because of this division that Vajpayee government came to power in 1998. It was called the NDA. The same experiment was successfully replicated by Congress in 2004 when it formed the government under the rubric of UPA.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;This world collapsed after 2014. BJP expanded its base across India, edging out its own alliance partners like Shiv Sena. Similar expansion took place in North East where regional parties became subservient to BJP&rsquo;s consolidating social base. Those who managed to stand tall, either allied with BJP or stayed neutral like the TRS.&nbsp; It is this complex scenario that Mamata will have to navigate in case she wants to play a bigger role nationally.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;Occasionally, Mamata has aligned with other regional leaders on national issues but she remains tied to the state where politics is volatile and she is the lobe pole. Secondly, Mamata also has to deal with the Left which has collaborated very closely with the Congress both at the state and national level. In my opinion, the days of the powerful kingmakers from states are over.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Most of the chief ministers are today only opinion makers. They can influence a discourse but none of them have the capacity to build a confederacy. Almost all are unpredictable and solely focused on their existence as a regional party which runs like a family cartel. In this scenario, Mamata will have her national say but stay rooted to West Bengal as she knows that her power stems from it, and rest of India can be extremely time consuming and politically disastrous as Kejriwal tasted it first-hand. For now, Mamata will stay in both news and views but from West Bengal, unless 2019 throws up a fractured Parliament and the Lady keeps her numbers in the Lower House.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Mamata will stay in both news and views but from West Bengal, unless 2019 throws up a fractured Parliament and the Lady keeps her numbers in the Lower House.

Mamata Banerjee today stands as one of the few unaligned politicians who has the capacity to capture the national audience. She is a state leader with a national stature. A quintessential outsider who made it big on her own merit and hard work. She not only defeated the Left Front but also stopped the BJP’s surge in West Bengal. Whether it was 'Ma Mati Manush' campaign line or Congress-Left combine campaign against her, Mamata survived. She bettered herself. Highly populist, overtly loud but simple in style, Mamata today stands at the crossroad. The question is whether Mamata Banerjee can do a Harkrishan Surjit? Can Mamata be a Kingmaker? Can Mamata forge an alliance of regional parties with the Congress to give a good fight in the Lok Sabha elections slated in 2019? The answer lies in the changing landscape of the Indian politics. The 1970s saw the rise of powerful non- Congress leadership across Indian states. Most of the leaders enjoyed iconic status in the national politics. From Karunanidhi to Prakash Singh Badal to Sharad Pawar to Hedge to Bal Thackery, these leaders had both way and the say. The politics at Centre had leaders like Charan Singh, Madhu Dandavate, Surendra Mohan, Somnath Banerji, Chandrashekhar and many others. They were united by anti-Congressism. It is this stream which birthed two non-Congress governments. The first was between 1970-80 and second was 1990 VP Singh’s government and third was United Front experiment of 1996-98. Surprisingly all three tenures gave two prime ministers each. The first had Morarji Desai and Charan Singh. The second one gave VP Singh and Chandrasekhar and the last gave Deve Gowda and IK Gujaral. Once this exercise got politically discredited, India saw a split in the regional parties on the issue of Congress and, subsequently, most of them took positions on the issue of secularism. It is because of this division that Vajpayee government came to power in 1998. It was called the NDA. The same experiment was successfully replicated by Congress in 2004 when it formed the government under the rubric of UPA. This world collapsed after 2014. BJP expanded its base across India, edging out its own alliance partners like Shiv Sena. Similar expansion took place in North East where regional parties became subservient to BJP’s consolidating social base. Those who managed to stand tall, either allied with BJP or stayed neutral like the TRS. It is this complex scenario that Mamata will have to navigate in case she wants to play a bigger role nationally. Occasionally, Mamata has aligned with other regional leaders on national issues but she remains tied to the state where politics is volatile and she is the lobe pole. Secondly, Mamata also has to deal with the Left which has collaborated very closely with the Congress both at the state and national level. In my opinion, the days of the powerful kingmakers from states are over. Most of the chief ministers are today only opinion makers. They can influence a discourse but none of them have the capacity to build a confederacy. Almost all are unpredictable and solely focused on their existence as a regional party which runs like a family cartel. In this scenario, Mamata will have her national say but stay rooted to West Bengal as she knows that her power stems from it, and rest of India can be extremely time consuming and politically disastrous as Kejriwal tasted it first-hand. For now, Mamata will stay in both news and views but from West Bengal, unless 2019 throws up a fractured Parliament and the Lady keeps her numbers in the Lower House. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Will anti-communal politics help Mamata to counter BJP?

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee&#39;s&nbsp;remarks on the latest move by National Register of Citizen(NRC) has landed her in trouble as an&nbsp;FIR was lodged against her in Guwahati.&nbsp;

The FIR was lodged after a complaint was filed by advocate Tailendra Nath Das.

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FIR lodged against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Guwahati after complaint by advocate Tailendra Nath Das in connection with statement she made on Assam&#39;s National Register Of Citizens(NRC) <a href="https://t.co/xK7ZRqQiP7">pic.twitter.com/xK7ZRqQiP7</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948934395502649345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In a public meeting at Ahmedpur in Birbhum district, the West Bengal chief minister reportedly described the current updation of the NRC as an attempt to drive out Bengalis from Assam.&nbsp;

She allegedly asked the BJP government of the state to not to play with fire. Banerjee also warned the government that she would not remain silent if Bengalis were uprooted from the state.&nbsp;

The BJP led government in Assam said that her statement amounted to contempt of&nbsp;Supreme Court.&nbsp;

The National Register of Citizens (NRC)&nbsp;published its first draft on Sunday.

The draft declared almost 1.9 crore Assam residents&nbsp;as &quot;legal&quot;&nbsp;while declaring the rest to&nbsp;await&nbsp;further stages of verification.&nbsp;

The total population of the state is around 3.29 crore.

In a public meeting at Ahmedpur in Birbhum district, the West Bengal chief minister had described the current updation of the NRC as an attempt to drive out Bengalis from Assam

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the latest move by National Register of Citizen(NRC) has landed her in trouble as an FIR was lodged against her in Guwahati. The FIR was lodged after a complaint was filed by advocate Tailendra Nath Das. FIR lodged against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Guwahati after complaint by advocate Tailendra Nath Das in connection with statement she made on Assam's National Register Of Citizens(NRC) pic.twitter.com/xK7ZRqQiP7 — ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2018 × In a public meeting at Ahmedpur in Birbhum district, the West Bengal chief minister reportedly described the current updation of the NRC as an attempt to drive out Bengalis from Assam. She allegedly asked the BJP government of the state to not to play with fire. Banerjee also warned the government that she would not remain silent if Bengalis were uprooted from the state. The BJP led government in Assam said that her statement amounted to contempt of Supreme Court. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) published its first draft on Sunday. The draft declared almost 1.9 crore Assam residents as "legal" while declaring the rest to await further stages of verification. The total population of the state is around 3.29 crore.

FIR registered against Mamata Banerjee over statements on NRC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today called up Patidar leader Hardik Patel and congratulated him for his &quot;tremendous work&quot; in the Gujarat Assembly election, the results of which were announced yesterday.

&quot;He&nbsp;has done so well&nbsp;at a young age. I called him up to congratulate him for the feat,&quot; she told reporters at the state secretariat here.

The Trinamool Congress supremo said she would also call up the young Dalit leader of Gujarat Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor for their &quot;positive show&quot; in the polls.

Patel, Mevani and Thakor had thrown up a tough challenge to the ruling BJP in the Gujarat polls. While Thakor won on a Congress ticket and Mevani as an Independent, 24-year-old Patel&#39;s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had backed the Congress candidates.

Banerjee had yesterday said the Gujarat poll outcome was a moral defeat for the BJP and that the people of the state had &quot;belled the cat for 2019&quot;.

She had congratulated the people of Gujarat for their &quot;very balanced verdict&quot; and said it was a face-saving win for the BJP.

The TMC chief, who has often been strident in her criticism of the BJP, had recently hailed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for &quot;putting the BJP on the backfoot&quot;.

The BJP fought off a strong challenge from Congress to win the Gujarat Assembly polls for the sixth successive time yesterday and also wrested power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh with a close to two-thirds majority.&nbsp;

She congratulated him for his 'tremendous work' in the Gujarat Assembly election

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today called up Patidar leader Hardik Patel and congratulated him for his "tremendous work" in the Gujarat Assembly election, the results of which were announced yesterday. "He has done so well at a young age. I called him up to congratulate him for the feat," she told reporters at the state secretariat here. The Trinamool Congress supremo said she would also call up the young Dalit leader of Gujarat Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor for their "positive show" in the polls. Patel, Mevani and Thakor had thrown up a tough challenge to the ruling BJP in the Gujarat polls. While Thakor won on a Congress ticket and Mevani as an Independent, 24-year-old Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had backed the Congress candidates. Banerjee had yesterday said the Gujarat poll outcome was a moral defeat for the BJP and that the people of the state had "belled the cat for 2019". She had congratulated the people of Gujarat for their "very balanced verdict" and said it was a face-saving win for the BJP. The TMC chief, who has often been strident in her criticism of the BJP, had recently hailed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for "putting the BJP on the backfoot". The BJP fought off a strong challenge from Congress to win the Gujarat Assembly polls for the sixth successive time yesterday and also wrested power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh with a close to two-thirds majority.

Mamata calls up Hardik, congratulates him

Mamata Banerjee on Monday&nbsp;congratulated the people in Gujarat for their &#39;balanced verdict&#39;, following the election results.&nbsp;

She further claimed that this is just a &#39;temporary and face-saving win for BJP, however, it shows their defeat&#39;.&nbsp;

She posted a Tweet saying: &quot;I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour.&nbsp;It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP.&quot;

The Trinamool Congress leader further added: &quot;Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety, and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019&quot;

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I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour. 
It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP. 
Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019
&mdash; Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/942705505042014208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The BJP is in the lead in 99 seats in Gujarat and Congress is trailing with 80 seats in the state.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-election-results-i-accept-the-bjps-victory-says-congresss-virbhadra-singh-27075">Himachal election results: &#39;I accept victory of BJP,&#39; says Congress&#39;s Virbhadra Singh</a>

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted expressing his gratitude towards the people of Gujarat and said that he <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-accepts-verdict-of-the-people-rahul-gandhi-27081">&quot;accepts the verdict of the people</a>&quot;.&nbsp;

He further told his supporters that they have demonstrated to everyone that the &#39;Congress&rsquo;s greatest strength is its decency and courage.&#39;

Also&nbsp;read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-bow-to-people-of-gujarat-and-himachal-modi-27072"> I bow to people of Gujarat and Himachal: Modi</a>

BJP has taken a clean sweep from Congress in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

BJP has taken a clean sweep from Congress in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

Mamata Banerjee on Monday congratulated the people in Gujarat for their 'balanced verdict', following the election results. She further claimed that this is just a 'temporary and face-saving win for BJP, however, it shows their defeat'. She posted a Tweet saying: "I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour. It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP." The Trinamool Congress leader further added: "Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety, and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019" I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour. It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP. Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 18, 2017 × The BJP is in the lead in 99 seats in Gujarat and Congress is trailing with 80 seats in the state. Also read: Himachal election results: 'I accept victory of BJP,' says Congress's Virbhadra Singh Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted expressing his gratitude towards the people of Gujarat and said that he "accepts the verdict of the people". He further told his supporters that they have demonstrated to everyone that the 'Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage.' Also read: I bow to people of Gujarat and Himachal: Modi BJP has taken a clean sweep from Congress in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Temporary and face-saving win for BJP, says Mamata Banerjee

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Saturday fuelling speculation of a possible front against the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.

Yadav, who was in the city for a party conference, met Mamata Banerjee at her residence.&nbsp;

There is a need for all secular parties to unite against communal forces, the SP chief said.&nbsp;

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Whenever I have visited Bengal, I have met Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Her secular battle is not hidden from anyone and Samajwadi Party stands with her in her battle: Former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kolkata?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kolkata</a> <a href="https://t.co/4DVjYU4eDm">pic.twitter.com/4DVjYU4eDm</a>
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When asked whether he would form a joint front with the West Bengal CM, he said &quot;Whenever I have visited Bengal, I have met Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Her secular battle is not hidden from anyone and Samajwadi Party stands with her in her battle,&#39;&#39; former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said after meeting the West Bengal CM.&nbsp;

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A warm meeting with the very kind and respectful Chief Minster, <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MamataOfficial</a> at her residence in Kolkata today. <a href="https://t.co/pN3Mc89km0">pic.twitter.com/pN3Mc89km0</a>
&mdash; Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/936988777305858048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Asked about BJP&#39;s victory in the local body elections in UP, he said that the BJP winning percentage is 46 per cent in areas wherever polls were conducted via EVMs and 15 per cent when it was done by ballot papers. &nbsp;

&quot;I will ask the people to check that the BJP has bagged 46 per cent votes in places where elections were held using EVM and only 15 per cent votes where the polls were held through ballot paper,&quot; he said.

Yadav, who was in the city for a party conference, met Mamata Banerjee at her residence

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Saturday fuelling speculation of a possible front against the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls. Yadav, who was in the city for a party conference, met Mamata Banerjee at her residence. There is a need for all secular parties to unite against communal forces, the SP chief said. Whenever I have visited Bengal, I have met Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Her secular battle is not hidden from anyone and Samajwadi Party stands with her in her battle: Former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/4DVjYU4eDm — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × When asked whether he would form a joint front with the West Bengal CM, he said "Whenever I have visited Bengal, I have met Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Her secular battle is not hidden from anyone and Samajwadi Party stands with her in her battle,'' former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said after meeting the West Bengal CM. A warm meeting with the very kind and respectful Chief Minster, @MamataOfficial at her residence in Kolkata today. pic.twitter.com/pN3Mc89km0 — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) December 2, 2017 × Asked about BJP's victory in the local body elections in UP, he said that the BJP winning percentage is 46 per cent in areas wherever polls were conducted via EVMs and 15 per cent when it was done by ballot papers. "I will ask the people to check that the BJP has bagged 46 per cent votes in places where elections were held using EVM and only 15 per cent votes where the polls were held through ballot paper," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav meets  Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata

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