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  • Abhishek Banerjee: Abhishek Banerjee slams Center for withholding MGNREGA funds.

    Trinamool National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday slammed the central government for blockade of MGNREGA funds for the last two years and “From the last two years, BJP blocked Bengal’s funds because they lost Bengal in 2021. When we went to fight for our rights in Delhi, our women MPs were dragged by their hair. The entire country saw these horrific visuals,” Banerjee alleged, speaking at a program in his Diamond Harbor Constituency.

    “Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in 2018 that by 2022, everyone will have a pucca house or roof over their head. What happened to it?”

    After six days, Diamond Harbor MP Abhishek Banerjee to hold another administrative program in Maheshtala.”I give details of expenses incurred regarding the work done by me in the constituency,” Banerjee said while speaking about his accountability to people in his constituency.

    “I challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman none of them would be able to give accountability to people,” Banerjee said.

    “In next five years, I will show you where West Bengal stands. We will take Bengal to greater heights where New Delhi leaders will come seeking for assistance.

    Speaking on Central Agencies or Commissions coming to West Bengal, “The Center who think by sending these agencies or ED raid would corner us they don’t have any idea about us. We won’t cow down. You will have to release people’s money. .”The MGNREGA workers have been deprived of their hardearned wages for the last 2 years. This is not an amount allocated to a new scheme but the wages of the workers. It is an established law that the Center is bound to release these funds within 15 days,” Abhsihek Banerjee said. “Just because they have been defeated in Bengal, the funds are being withheld. Mamata Banerjee has said that a Swanirbhar Bangla will be created,” he said.

    “We are not living at the mercy of anyone and that is why the rightful dues worth Rs 4000 crore of 25 lakh workers will be sent to their bank accounts directly by March 1 as promised by the Mamata Banerjee government,” Banerjee added.

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  • ‘Ram-Vaam-Shyam Have Joined Hands’: Mamata Accuses BJP, Congress And Left of Secret Alliance |

    New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday targeted Bharatiya Janata Party over the Sandeshkhali violence and alleged that BJP is trying to disrupt peace in the area and has not taken any action against its leaders.Banerjee’s scathing comments came while she was addressing a Public gathering in Birbhum on Sunday.

    Targeting the saffron party over the Sandeshkhali violence Bengal CM said that BJP along with ED and media is trying to disrupt peace in Sandeshkhali. “We always take action in case of any wrong. First the ED, then the BJP, and then the media. They are trying to disrupt peace there. [Sandeshkhali], If there are any allegations, we will take action, and whatever was taken forcibly will be returned,” sad Mamata Banerjee.

    “I have asked the police to take suo motu cognizance. Our block president has been arrested. In Bhangar, Arabul Islam has also been arrested. But what action has the BJP taken against their leaders? Remember, the BJP is anti-Bengali, anti -women, anti-farmer, and anti-dalit,” she added.

    West Bengal CM further alleged that the BJP is using central agencies like ED, CBI and the Election Commission for its own advantage. “They are using ED and CBI to threaten us. If the Election Commission is working on BJP’s orders, keep this in mind that we have the right to fight and voice our opinion,” said Banerjee.

    “Earlier, I had to face the torture of Left and now I have to face the torture of BJP. Ram-Vaam-Shyam [BJP, Left, Congress] have joined hands. They had joined hands a long time back. This is the same CPI(M) that used to play with deaths,” she added.

    Citing the ongoing farmers protest, Mamata Banerjee said, “We call the farmers ‘Annadatas’. They are the providers of food for us but look at the way they [BJP] are treating them.”

    “BJP is creating chaos everywhere and provoking one community against the other. We call the farmers Annadatas. They are the provider of food for us but look at the way they [BJP] are treating them. Look at how Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana are burning. They are drilling nails so that the farmers can’t reach there. I sympathize with all our farmers,” she said.

    Further, mentioning the Prevention of Money Laundering Acts, the West Bengal CM said that there is a proper way of work in these kind of cases which the investigative agencies are not following.

    “There is another thing – PMLA. If you have any allegation against anyone, you conduct an investigation properly and give a charge sheet. Let law take its own course. But you cannot keep someone behind the bars. If you think by this you can win elections, you are wrong. Even Indira Gandhi did the same during the Emergency period but lost despite that,” CM Mamata said.

  • Nitish Kumar Govt To Review Functioning Of Departments Held By Former Bihar Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

    PATNA: In a significant political development, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Friday ordered a probe to review the functioning of the departments under the state’s former Deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his close ministers in the previous JDU-RJD government. According to news agency ANI, orders have been given by the Bihar government to review the functioning of the departments under Tejashwi and his close ministers in the previous government.

    Patna Orders have been given by the Bihar government to review the functioning of the departments under former state Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav and his close ministers in the previous government. The work of the Health Department, Road Construction Department, Urban Development and… pic.twitter.com/MYbaldPaWz

    — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2024


    The work of the Health Department, Road Construction Department, Urban Development and Housing Department and the decisions taken by him will be reviewed, the order said. Apart from this, the work of the RJD regime in the Rural Affairs Department, PHED and Mines and Geology Department will also be reviewed. Instructions have also been issued by the state government to the secretaries of all concerned departments in this connection, said news agency ANI.

    The order came shortly after Tejashwi Yadav launched a fresh attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while addressing the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and said that the CM does not want to listen to anyone. “You all very well know how our CM is, he does not want to listen to anyone. He used to say ‘I will die, but won’t join BJP’…We decided to stay with Nitish ji, no matter how. much we have to sacrifice, only to defeat BJP in 2024…’We have appointed a tired Chief Minister’…” said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

    “He does not want to listen to anyone, but still, ours was a grand alliance government, and we wanted to be united with a big goal, We have to stop the powers that be, those who work to sow poison in the country, so this time at any cost, no matter how much we have to bear, no matter how much we have to sacrifice, we joined Nitish ji, so that BJP will be defeated in 2024. We will do the work of ousting BJP from power and we appointed a tired Chief Minister,” added Tejashwi Yadav.

    Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav joined Rahul Gandhi in his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ on Friday in Bihar’s Sasaram. The Yatra reaches its final stage in Bihar and is scheduled to enter Uttar Pradesh later today.

    Yadav was seen driving Rahul Gandhi and other leaders in the lead jeep as the yatra made its way through Sasaram with the RJD leader acknowledging his ally in his post on x. This was the first time the RJD leader was seen sharing the stage with Gandhi in Bihar since state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar severed his ties with the INDIA bloc.

  • Funds devolution rows: Siddaramaiah defends Raghuram Rajan, accuses BJP of twisting his report to defend itself

    Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday attacked the BJP, accusing the party of twisting former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan committee report to suit its political narrative. The saffron party had claimed that the committee had in 2013 suggested that Karnataka’s share of funds from the Center should be reduced from 4.13% to 3.73%.

    The CM’s defense of the former RBI governor on social media platform “The narrative, suggesting that the committee headed by Raghuram Rajan recommended a reduction in Karnataka’s share of tax revenue is not only inaccurate but also a misinterpretation of the committee’s role,” Siddaramaiah said. The committee’s focus, he added, was on ensuring a balanced distribution of certain development funds to enhance the overall growth and progress of all states, particularly those lagging in specific development parameters.

    “These recommendations were not meant to replace existing methodologies for devolution of taxes allocation,” he said. The Finance Commission, he added, operated independently of such committees. “Was the 15th Finance Commission constituted in 2019 by [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi influenced by some committee which gave a report in September 2013?”The CM hit out at the BJP’s state party president BY Vijayendra who had made the statements, accusing him of being willing to “forsake the very heart and soul of Kannadiga pride ,” all for the sake of winning approval from BJP high command. The BJP leaders’ actions, he said, revealed a “chilling indifference” to the fate of the state. “This act of betrayal, this glaring abandonment of honesty, tears at the very essence of Karnataka Pride,” he added.

    With Lok Sabha polls a few months away, the Congress and its allies have been cornering the BJP on the topic of fiscal inequality towards the states, with protests in the national capital as well as social media campaigns.

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  • BJP Announces Names Of 14 Candidates For Rajya Sabha Elections Including RPN Singh, Sudhanshu Trivedi.

    New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released the list of 14 candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections across several states including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

    Among the notable candidates are RPN Singh and Sudhanshu Trivedi from Uttar Pradesh, and Subhash Barala from Haryana. Dharamshila Gupta and Bhim Singh have been nominated from Bihar, while Chaudhary Tejveer Singh, Sadhna Singh, Amarpal Maurya, Sangeeta Balwant, and Naveen Jain are the candidates from Uttar Pradesh.

    BREAKING NEWS: BJP announces 14 Rajya Sabha candidates

    Sudhanshu Trivedi, RPN Singh declared candidates from Uttar Pradesh.

    Former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala declared the party’s candidate from Haryana. #BreakingNews #Rajyasabha #BJP #ZeeNews @ramm_sharma pic.twitter.com/T9Wsg0xI4J — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 11, 2024

    The list also includes Mahendra Bhatt from Uttarakhand, Samik Bhattacharya from West Bengal, Narayana Krishnasa Bhandge from Karnataka, and Raja Devendra Pratap Singh from Chhattisgarh.

    BJP announces its candidates from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

    Sudhanshu Trivedi, RPN Singh from Uttar Pradesh.

    Former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala announced as the party’s… pic.twitter.com/jIuoBoQOys — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2024

    The Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to take place on February 27, with 56 seats up for grabs across 15 states in the country.

  • Rajya Sabha Elections: BJP names Sudhanshu Trivedi, RPN Singh among 14 candidates

    The BJP on Sunday announced its candidates from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Sudhanshu Trivedi, RPN Singh from Uttar Pradesh. Former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala was announced as the party’s candidate from Haryana.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • ‘Great India’ of 21st century is not possible without Ram Mandir: Sudhanshu Trivedi

    ‘Great India’ of 21st century is not possible without Ram Mandir: Sudhanshu Trivedi

  • After Nitish Kumar, Many Others In Line For ‘Ghar Wapasi’ In NDA Ahead Of 2024 Polls |

    NEW DELHI: “It’s never too late to mend,” goes the adage, and in the ever-shifting landscape of politics in India, this rings especially true. As alliances evolve and partners realign, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) finds itself at the center of attention once again, with several former allies contemplating a return to the fold ahead of the crucial 2024 elections.

    The BJP: The Architect Of The NDA

    At the heart of the NDA stands the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), orchestrating the intricate dance of coalition politics. With the advent of the Narendra Modi era, the NDA witnessed a seismic shift in its composition after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Now, as the countdown to the 2024 polls begins, attention turns to those allies who are either making a comeback or seriously considering it, following in the footsteps of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s recent U-turn.

    Modi-Shah Era And Its Impact On The NDA

    In 2013, when Narendra Modi was anointed as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, the NDA boasted 29 constituent parties. While the BJP swept the elections with 282 seats in the Lok Sabha, its allies clinched an additional 54 seats. However, in the subsequent five years of Modi’s tenure, 16 parties bid adieu to the NDA, signaling a period of flux and transition within the alliance.

    Departures And Realignments

    Lessons from 2014 and 2019 The run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections saw the high-profile departure of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), setting the stage for a series of exits by regional players such as the Haryana Janhit Congress and the Marumalarchi. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Between 2014 and 2019, several other parties, including the Telugu Desam Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, followed suit, reshaping the NDA’s landscape.

    Recent Exits And Returns

    Shiv Sena, SAD, and JD(U) Post-2019, the NDA witnessed the departure of stalwart allies like the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal, while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) made a surprising comeback following the Bihar Assembly elections in 2022. These developments underscore the fluid nature of coalition politics, where alliances can shift with the changing tides of public sentiment and regional dynamics.

    As the 2024 elections loom large, speculation abounds regarding potential returns to the NDA fold. Nitish Kumar’s departure from the opposition alliance signals a significant shift, with other influential figures like Chandrababu Naidu and Uddhav Thackeray also engaging in strategic dialogues with the BJP. Meanwhile, negotiations with regional heavyweights like the Akali Dal and the potential announcement from Jayant Chaudhary hint at further realignments on the horizon.

    Amidst these political manoeuvres, the NDA alliance appears poised for a resurgence, consolidating its position ahead of the electoral battleground. Yet, the road to power is fraught with challenges, requiring both new and returning allies to navigate the intricate web of coalition politics. As Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious “400 plus” slogan reverberates, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown, with the Congress eagerly watching for any signs of weakness within the NDA camp.

    Who’s Next In Line For The ‘Ghar Wapasi’ In NDA?

    With Nitish Kumar’s recent defection setting the stage, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will be the next to heed the call of ‘Ghar Wapasi’ within the NDA alliance? As alliances shift and political fortunes fluctuate, one thing remains certain: the 2024 elections promise to be a watershed moment in India’s political landscape, with the NDA at the forefront of the action.

  • BJP MLAs stage protest in Bengal Assembly on CAG report, allege “misappropriation” of MGNREGA funds

    Kolkata: The BJP MLAs on Tuesday tried to move an adjournment and demanded discussion on CAG report in the West Bengal assembly, which was turned down by the Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay on Tuesday. Following the refusal, BJP MLAs staged a protest on the CAG report and alleged “misappropriation” of MGNREGA funds.

    “We were not even allowed to read our adjournment motion. We were not allowed to even discuss the CAG report in the assembly. The CAG report is not about advance adjustment as said by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but also finds mention of multiple fraud accounts which have been discovered,” Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari told mediapersons.

    Meanwhile, West Bengal unit of BJP has decided to meet Governor CV Ananda Bose on CAG report issue on March 9 and urge him to send recommendations to CAG for filing FIR against state government on the issue.Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently on the CAG report issue and nonsubmission of utilization letter, which was raised by BJP state President Sukanta Majumdar. The BJP on January 31 cited a CAG report to allege that “mother of all scams” to the tune of about Rs 2 lakh crore had taken place in the Trinamool Congressruled West Bengal.

    The Speaker turned down the demand stating that the issue has no justification to discuss in the House, following which BJP MLAs protested inside the House.

    Antigovernment slogans were shouted by the BJP MLAs Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Whip Manoj Tigga and Siligurij legislator Shankar Ghosh among others. They were carrying placards and protested outside the South gate of the assembly.“CAG reports has brought out details of many fake accounts, fund diversion issues, central government guidelines violation, misappropriation of funds. It shows corruption and theft of Trinamool Congress government,” Adhikari said. State Finance Minister (MoS) Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “There is no scope of discussion on CAG in the assembly. The report is from 2003 to 2021. The central government did not receive Utilization Certificates (UC) but have released funds. How were the funds released? How come the Center announced that Bengal was the topmost performer in MGNREGA? And now the funds have been blocked.”

    After hearing that Mamata Banerjee will pay 21 lakh workers under MGNREGA, BJP has lost their minds and made all these allegations,” Bhattacharya said.

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