Shatrughan Sinha To Take On BJPs S Ahluwalia From West Bengals Asansol Constituency
The Bihari Babu of the Indian film industry, ShatrughanSinhajoined TMC in 2022 after a brief stint in the Congress
Pawan Singh files papers from Karakat as Independent candidate
A day after the BJP nominated its candidate from Asansol in West Bengal, he withdrew from the Lok Sabha polls; Karakat seat will now see triangular fight with former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha and CPI(ML)s Rajaram Singh in the fray
Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh announces independent candidacy in Bihar's Karakat, BJP remains silent Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh, who had earlier refused BJPs offer to contest the Lok Sabha election as the partys nominee in West Bengal, on Thursday filed his nomination papers as an independent in his home state Bihar. Singh filed his papers from Karakat Lok Sabha seat, where former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha of Rashtriya Lok Morcha is likely to be fielded as the NDA nominee. Previously nominated by the saffron party from Asansol in West Bengal, Singh withdrew amidst controversy over some of his songs that disparaged women. BJP sources refrained from commenting on the singer-turned-politician's decision to contest independently, although he was believed to have lobbied with opposition parties like the RJD for a ticket. Despite repeated attempts by PTI, Bihar BJP president and state Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary was not available for comments over Singh's decision to contest the polls against the NDA. Singh's move to contest against the NDA nominee in Karakat has drawn criticism from some BJP leaders, including Union Minister R K Singh, seeking re-election from neighboring Arrah Lok Sabha seat. R K Singh emphasised the importance of party loyalty, stating that contesting against the NDA nominee undermines the alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With Singh now an independent candidate, Karakat is poised for a three-way contest. While Kushwaha is likely to file his nomination papers as the NDA candidate soon, CPI(M-L) Liberation's Rajaram Singh has already submitted his papers as the Mahagathbandhan nominee. Karakat will go to polls on June 1.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 | SS Ahluwalia Contesting As BJP Candidate For Bengal's Asansol | N18V
Lok Sabha Election 2024 | SS Ahluwalia Contesting As BJP Candidate For Bengal's Asansol | N18V Former Union Minister Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia on Wednesday filed his nomination as the BJP candidate for West Bengal's Asansol Lok Sabha constituency.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shotgun for the front seat!
Bollywood and political veteran, Shatrughan Sinha, on reclaiming Bengals Asansol that he delivered, for the first time ever for TMC, in 2022 by-poll
Krishnanagar Candidate of BJP, Richest Candidate in 4th Phase Bengal Elections
Krishnanagar Candidate of BJP, Richest Candidate in 4th Phase Bengal Elections Twenty-one candidates fighting the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal's eight constituencies, which are going to the polls in the fourth phase, have assets of more than Rs 1 crore, and among them, BJP's Krishnanagar nominee Amitra Roy is the richest, according to a report. A total of 75 candidates are in the fray in these eight seats, and Roy is the richest among them with total assets worth Rs 554 crore, an analysis of their affidavits by West Bengal Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed. Roy is followed by TMC's Asansol candidate Shatrughan Sinha who has assets worth Rs 210 crore and Baharampur candidate Yusuf Pathan whose total assets are valued at Rs 45 crore. TMC's seven candidates have assets worth over Rs 1 crore, followed by BJP whose six candidates found a place on the list. Two candidates each of SUCI(C), Congress and CPI(M) also have assets worth over Rs 1 crore. One candidate each of BSP and Indian National Socialist Action Forces also found a place on the list, it said Independent candidate in Ranaghat Jagannath Sarkar has assets of Rs 3,587, the lowest for any nominee in this phase. Also, there are 13 candidates with criminal cases, it said. Polling in Asansol, Baharampur, Bardhaman Purba, Birbhum, Bolpur, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Krishnanagar and Ranaghat will be held on May 13.
Commenting on Sandeshkhali, the actor-turned-politician questioned the BJPs alliance partner in Karnataka amid a raging sex scandal
In West Bengal's Asansol, it's TMC's 'Bihari Babu' vs BJP's 'Sardarji'
The Asansol Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal, known for its mining and industrial belt, faces key issues like reopening closed factories, tackling drinking water scarcity in rural areas, and curbing illegal mining in abandoned collieries. The region, with a significant Hindi-speaking population, will see a contest between TMC's Shatrughan Sinha, BJP's Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia, and CPI(M)'s Jahanara Khan. Sinha, confident of retaining the seat, highlights his commitment to the constituency. Khan criticizes the lack of action by previous MPs on local issues.
In Bengal's Asansol, It's Trinamool's 'Bihari Babu' vs BJP's 'Sardarji'
Reopening factories closed for years, addressing drinking water scarcity in rural pockets and reining in the illegal mining menace in abandoned collieries are the primary issues for the people of Asansol Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal.
It's TMC's 'Bihari Babu' vs BJP's 'Sardarji' in West Bengal's Asansol
ASANOL: Reopening factories closed for years, addressing drinking water scarcity in rural pockets and reining in the illegal mining menace in abandoned collieries are the primary issues for the people of Asansol Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. The region cradles the mining and industrial belt of the state, with Raniganj, Pandaveswar and Jamuria assembly segments housing coal mines and Kulti serving as the home to some of the bigger factories. Asansol, which borders Jharkhand, has a significant percentage of the Hindi-speaking population, mostly migrant workers from Bihar and UP employed in the mines and factories. While the TMC has repeated Bollywood superstar Shatrughan Sinha aka 'Bihari Babu' as its candidate for this seat, the BJP settled for its veteran leader Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia who was born and raised in the city. The CPI(M) has fielded Jahanara Khan, a debutant in Lok Sabha polls, in the seat that is also home to a fair number of tribals. Sinha won the 2022 by-elections here by over 3 lakh votes after BJP MP Babul Supriyo vacated the seat, which he secured in 2014 and 2019, and switched over to the TMC. Sinha expressed confidence about retaining the seat by a greater margin this time. I will win more support from people in the constituency this election, he told PTI. Left nominee Khan, a two-time MLA from Jamuria, alleged that neither Sinha nor Supriyo had done much to alleviate the problems of the locals. The poorer tribals and minorities in the rural areas are suffering from tremendous drinking water scarcity, but little has been done so far to solve that crisis, she said. Alleging that illegal mining from the abandoned collieries in the region is rampant, she said the menace must be stopped to prevent land subsidence and mudslides which claim lives almost every year. Acknowledging the rural water crisis, TMC's Pandaveswar MLA Narendranath Chakraborty said water level depletes in the summer months in the mine region which, he maintained, was a atural occurrence. We are working towards providing water connection to homes, and reservoirs are being built in every block, he said, adding that water gets supplied through tankers in many places as a stop-gap measure. Sambhu Majhi, a resident of Kulti, said that he wanted factories, which have been closed for years over issues ranging from militant trade unionism to lack of timely modernisation, reopened. If the factories are back in operation, our children will not have to migrate in search of livelihood, he said. Several well-known factories like those of Sen-Raleigh and Asansol Glass have downed their shutters over the years. According to Ajay Ghosh of Dishergarh, illegal sand mining from Damodar is also on the rise and needs to be stopped. The BJP took a while to officially name Ahluwalia, fondly called 'Sardarji' by many, for the Asansol seat after Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh stepped aside from the contest. In the 2019 elections, Ahluwalia won the neighbouring Bardhaman-Durgapur seat, where the BJP has fielded its former state president Dilip Ghosh this time. Ahluwalia, also a former Rajya Sabha MP, had won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in northern West Bengal in 2014. He won the 2019 elections by a slender margin of 18,540 votes and managed to deliver for his party only one out of the seven assembly seats in Bardhaman-Durgapur during the 2021 state polls. Ahluwalia faces the litmus test of obfuscating TMC's gains in Asansol, where five out of seven assembly segments went to the Mamata Banerjee-led party in 2021. During a recent election rally in Kulti, Banerjee took a dig at Ahluwalia and accused him of playing the vanishing act from Bardhaman-Durgapur during the last five years. He could manage to get a ticket for this seat after putting in much effort, the TMC supremo claimed. Local BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari claimed that having an experienced campaigner like Ahluwalia in Asansol has boosted the morale of his party's workers to reclaim the seat. Brushing aside the TMC allegation of Ahluwalia's absenteeism, Tiwari asked, That way, how many times did we see Shatrughan Sinha in Asansol in the last two years? A two-term BJP MP from Patna Sahib, Sinha had joined the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and switched over to the TMC in 2022. Among his many films, Sinha had co-starred with Amitabh Bachchan in 'Kaala Patthar', a 1979 Bollywood hit based on the Chasnala coal mine tragedy in neighbouring Dhanbad. Calling Sinha an acting legend, the Pandaveswar MLA said the star of yesteryears still commands a crazy fan following. As an MP, he worked for Asansol and MPLAD funds were properly utilised for the welfare of people, he said. Confident about a formidable margin, Chakraborty said the leader meant business when it came to development and maintained a polite demeanor with people. Local CPI(M) leader Partha Mukherjee claimed that people would vote against the ideological bankruptcy of TMC and BJP. All anti-TMC and anti-BJP forces will come together to defeat them and we are sure that Jahanara Khan will win Asansol, he said. Asansol goes to polls in the fourth phase on May 13.
Asansol Lok Sabha Bypoll: 'Bihari Babu' of TMC and 'Sardarji' of BJP Face Off
Asansol Lok Sabha Bypoll: 'Bihari Babu' of TMC and 'Sardarji' of BJP Face Off Reopening factories closed for years, addressing drinking water scarcity in rural pockets and reining in the illegal mining menace in abandoned collieries are the primary issues for the people of Asansol Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. The region cradles the mining and industrial belt of the state, with Raniganj, Pandaveswar and Jamuria assembly segments housing coal mines and Kulti serving as the home to some of the bigger factories. Asansol, which borders Jharkhand, has a significant percentage of the Hindi-speaking population, mostly migrant workers from Bihar and UP employed in the mines and factories. While the TMC has repeated Bollywood superstar Shatrughan Sinha aka 'Bihari Babu' as its candidate for this seat, the BJP settled for its veteran leader Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia who was born and raised in the city. The CPI(M) has fielded Jahanara Khan, a debutant in Lok Sabha polls, in the seat that is also home to a fair number of tribals. Sinha won the 2022 by-elections here by over 3 lakh votes after BJP MP Babul Supriyo vacated the seat, which he secured in 2014 and 2019, and switched over to the TMC. Sinha expressed confidence about retaining the seat by a greater margin this time. ''I will win more support from people in the constituency this election,'' he told PTI. Left nominee Khan, a two-time MLA from Jamuria, alleged that neither Sinha nor Supriyo had done much to alleviate the problems of the locals. ''The poorer tribals and minorities in the rural areas are suffering from tremendous drinking water scarcity, but little has been done so far to solve that crisis,'' she said. Alleging that illegal mining from the abandoned collieries in the region is rampant, she said the menace must be stopped to prevent land subsidence and mudslides which claim lives almost every year. Acknowledging the rural water crisis, TMC's Pandaveswar MLA Narendranath Chakraborty said water level depletes in the summer months in the mine region which, he maintained, was a ''natural occurrence''. ''We are working towards providing water connection to homes, and reservoirs are being built in every block,'' he said, adding that water gets supplied through tankers in many places as a stop-gap measure. Sambhu Majhi, a resident of Kulti, said that he wanted factories, which have been closed for years over issues ranging from ''militant trade unionism'' to lack of timely modernisation, reopened. ''If the factories are back in operation, our children will not have to migrate in search of livelihood,'' he said. Several well-known factories like those of Sen-Raleigh and Asansol Glass have downed their shutters over the years. According to Ajay Ghosh of Dishergarh, illegal sand mining from Damodar is also on the rise and needs to be stopped. The BJP took a while to officially name Ahluwalia, fondly called 'Sardarji' by many, for the Asansol seat after Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh stepped aside from the contest. In the 2019 elections, Ahluwalia won the neighbouring Bardhaman-Durgapur seat, where the BJP has fielded its former state president Dilip Ghosh this time. Ahluwalia, also a former Rajya Sabha MP, had won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in northern West Bengal in 2014. He won the 2019 elections by a slender margin of 18,540 votes and managed to deliver for his party only one out of the seven assembly seats in Bardhaman-Durgapur during the 2021 state polls. Ahluwalia faces the litmus test of obfuscating TMC's gains in Asansol, where five out of seven assembly segments went to the Mamata Banerjee-led party in 2021. During a recent election rally in Kulti, Banerjee took a dig at Ahluwalia and accused him of playing the vanishing act from Bardhaman-Durgapur during the last five years. ''He could manage to get a ticket for this seat after putting in much effort,'' the TMC supremo claimed. Local BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari claimed that having an experienced campaigner like Ahluwalia in Asansol has boosted the morale of his party's workers to reclaim the seat. Brushing aside the TMC allegation of Ahluwalia's absenteeism, Tiwari asked, ''That way, how many times did we see Shatrughan Sinha in Asansol in the last two years?'' A two-term BJP MP from Patna Sahib, Sinha had joined the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and switched over to the TMC in 2022. Among his many films, Sinha had co-starred with Amitabh Bachchan in 'Kaala Patthar', a 1979 Bollywood hit based on the Chasnala coal mine tragedy in neighbouring Dhanbad. Calling Sinha an ''acting legend'', the Pandaveswar MLA said the star of yesteryears still commands a crazy fan following. ''As an MP, he worked for Asansol and MPLAD funds were properly utilised for the welfare of people,'' he said. Confident about a formidable margin, Chakraborty said the leader meant business when it came to development and maintained a polite demeanor with people. Local CPI(M) leader Partha Mukherjee claimed that people would vote against the ''ideological bankruptcy of TMC and BJP''. ''All anti-TMC and anti-BJP forces will come together to defeat them and we are sure that Jahanara Khan will win Asansol,'' he said. Asansol goes to polls in the fourth phase on May 13.
Heatwave to Persist in South Bengal Until May 5: Meteorological Department Warns
Heatwave to Persist in South Bengal Until May 5: Meteorological Department Warns The Met department on Wednesday said heatwave conditions are very likely to continue till May 5 over south Bengal, which has been reeling under a scorching sun with Kalaikunda recording the state's highest temperature at 45.2 degrees Celsius. The weather office, however, held out a ray of hope for the situation to change from May 6 with the possibility of rains in the coastal districts, which will spread to other parts of Gangetic West Bengal gradually. Heatwave conditions will continue in many places of south Bengal till May 5, with severe heatwave very likely in Bankura, Birbhum, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman districts, the Met department said. It said that there will not be any large change in maximum temperature during the next two days and thereby it will fall gradually in the subsequent three days in the region. The severe weather conditions in the southern and western districts of West Bengal are being caused by dry westerly winds and strong solar insolation, the Met said. Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district recorded West Bengal's highest temperature on Wednesday at 45.2 degrees Celsius, while Jhargram followed closely at 44.5 degrees Celsius, the Met said. In Panagarh and Purulia, the mercury touched the 44.1 degrees mark. Kolkata recorded 42 degrees Celsius as its highest temperature on the day while neighbouring Salt Lake was a little cooler at 41.1 degrees, the Met said. Among the other places which recorded above-40-degree Celsius temperatures are Medinipur (43.4), Bankura (43.3), Krishnanagar (42.2), Bardhaman (42), Asansol (42.3), and Sriniketan (41.8), the Met data said.
Villagers forced to drink filtered sewage water: BJP Asansol candidate SS Ahluwalia
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Yogi Adityanath to up ante against Didi in West Bengal today
Yogi Adityanath campaigns in West Bengal against TMC over Sandeshkhali issue. He will address rallies in Asansol, Birbhum, and Berhampore. In Maharashtra, public meetings in Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur are scheduled.
Mamata Banerjee falls while trying to board a chopper in Durgapur
KOLKATA : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her balance and fell while attempting to board a chopper in Durgapur, West Burdwan district, on Saturday. CM Banerjee slipped and fell while trying to take a seat on her helicopter. Her security personnel at the scene assisted her to her seat. The Trinamool chief reportedly suffered a minor injury, but was still able to proceed with her journey to Asansol. Mamata Banerjee was en route to Kulti for an election rally when the incident occurred. The CM fell inside the helicopter after losing her balance while trying to sit. She is fine, a senior officer accompanying Banerjee said. Following the incident, she flew to Kulti and addressed the rally in support of TMCs Asansol candidate and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha. Just about a month ago, on March 14, Banerjee, 69, had sustained serious injuries to her forehead after falling at her home in Kalighat, Kolkata. Banerjee has suffered injuried quite often. Ealier in March, the chief minister was injured when she had a gash on her forehead. She had also suffered a leg injury in Spain in the year 2023. Flew to Kulti Mamata Banerjee flew to Kulti and addressed the rally in support of TMCs Asansol candidate and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha
South Bengal to Witness Intensifying Heatwave Conditions
South Bengal to Witness Intensifying Heatwave Conditions Heatwave conditions prevailing in south Bengal are likely to get more severe with the possibility of further rise in maximum day temperatures in most districts in the region, the Met department said in its five-day forecast on Saturday. Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district recorded West Bengal's highest temperature of the day at 44.6 degrees Celsius, it said. The weather office forecast a gradual increase in day temperature by one to two deg C in the next three days and thereafter no large change for the subsequent two days. Severe heatwave conditions will prevail over Bankura, Birbhum, Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman districts, the meteorological department said. It said that heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in the north Bengal districts of Malda, Dakshin and Uttar Dinajpur. The weather office said that people should avoid prolonged heat exposure and outside work between 11 am and 4 pm. Kolkata recorded the day's maximum temperature at 41.1 deg C while neighbouring Salt Lake saw the mercury rise to 41.8 deg C, the Met said. The other places which recorded above 40 degree Celsius temperatures are Medinipur(43.5), Bankura (43.2), Barrackpore (43.2), Bardhaman (43), Asansol (42.5), Purulia (42.7) and Sriniketan (42), the Met data said.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee injured boarding helicopter in Durgapur
The West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly stumbled on board of her chopper while on her way to a campaign in Kulti on Saturday afternoon from Durgapur. The nature of her injury is not known yet. However, the injury was minor and she went to her scheduled rallies in Kulti and Asansol.
No evidence of arms seizure in Sandeshkhali, recovered items might be brought by CBI: Mamata
USHAGRAM: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said there was o evidence of arms seizure in Sandeshkhali, asserting that CBI teams conducted searches without informing the state police. She expressed scepticism regarding the operations, stating that the recovered items might have been brought by officials of the central agency. If a firecracker goes off in Bengal, the NIA, CBI, NSG are coming to investigate. It seems that a war is going on. The state police were not informed. It is not known what was found. There was no evidence. The seized items might have been brought by them (CBI) in a car, Banerjee said here. Small arms including foreign-made pistols seized by CBI in raids in Sandeshkhali She was addressing an election rally for TMC's Asansol Lok Sabha candidate Shatrughan Sinha. The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, officials said. The searches were conducted in connection with the January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob that was allegedly instigated by Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in the case. Teams of the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI), the bomb detection squad, the National Security Guard (NSG), the central paramilitary forces and the West Bengal Police were part of the searches at Sandeshkhali -- a riverine delta -- on the fringes of the Sunderbans in North 24 Parganas district. TMC moves EC over CBI's Sandeshkhali raid, says BJP 'weaponized' agencies for 'smear campaign' Banerjee also said, Today, I heard there was an incident near Sandeshkhali. A BJP leader had stored bombs in his house. They think that they can win the elections by cancelling (school) jobs and with bombs. We want 'roti, kapda, makaan' and jobs for the people, not their lofty speeches. The Trinamool Congress on Saturday alleged that several people were injured after a bomb went off at the house of a relative of a BJP leader in Basirhat assembly constituency. She was apparently referring to the Calcutta High Court judgment on school jobs. The court declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as 'null and void', ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. HC order on Bengal school jobs 'illegal', will challenge: Mamata
Mamata Banerjee Injured after Falling Inside Helicopter
Kolkata:West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sustained injuries after falling inside a helicopter while boarding it for Lok Sabha election campaigning on Saturday. Reports say, she reportedly suffered a minor injury. Later, she continued with her onward travel to Asansol. The West Bengal CM slipped and fell while taking a seat after boarding her helicopter [] The post Mamata Banerjee Injured after Falling Inside Helicopter appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Mamata loses balance, falls while boarding helicopter
Following the incident, she flew to Kulti and addressed a rally in support of TMC's Asansol candidate Shatrughan Sinha.
Mamata loses balance while boarding helicopter
I am now in a position (as Chief Minister). If I had not been in this position, I would have pulled out the tongue. - Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM I am now in a position (as Chief Minister). If I had not been in this position, I would have pulled out the tongue. - Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her balance and fell while boarding a helicopter in Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district on Saturday afternoon. She was on the way to Kulti for an election rally when the incident happened. The CM fell inside the helicopter after losing her balance while she was trying to sit. She is fine, a senior officer, who was accompanying Banerjee, told PTI. Following the incident, she flew to Kulti and addressed a rally in support of TMC's Asansol candidate Shatrughan Sinha
Mamata Banerjee injured again after fall while boarding helicopter
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, April 27, reportedly got injured after slipping and falling while taking a seat after boarding her helicopter in Durgapur. The chief minister reportedly suffered a minor injury and was helped by her security personnel. She continued with her onward travel to Asansol, reported ANI. #WATCH | West Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee sustains minor injuries while boarding helicopter
This incident occurred as she was enroute to a public rally in Asansol. Banerjee proceeded with her scheduled activities after receiving first aid.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee injured while boarding helicopter in Durgapur
Mamata Banerjee reportedly suffered a minor injury and was helped by her security personnel thereafter. She continued with her scheduled trip to Asansol without pause.
Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla votes in Darjeeling
Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla votes in Darjeeling Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday cast his vote at a polling booth in Darjeeling. After casting his vote, Shringla showed his inked finger at the polling booth there. Darjeeling has been a BJP bastion since 2009, with the Trinamool Congress never managing to wrest the seat from the principal opposition party in the state. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, MP Raju Bista won the constituency with 59.2 per cent of the total votes polled against TMC's Amar Singh Rai, who bagged a mere 26.6 per cent votes. In 2014, BJP's SS Ahluwalia, who is in the fray this year from Asansol, won 42.8 per cent of votes against 25.5 per cent won by former footballer and TMC's star candidate Bhaichung Bhutia. Apart from Darjeeling, voting is also taking place in Balurghat, and Raiganj in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections today. Voting for the remaining constituencies of West Bengal will be held on May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The Lok Sabha election is being held in seven phases till June 1 and votes will be counted on June 4. There are 8.08 crore male and 7.8 crore female voters among the electorates who will decide the fate of candidates. As many as 5,929 third-gender electors will also exercise their franchise in the second phase of polls. The first phase of voting for the seven-phased Lok Sabha election, the world's largest electoral exercise, was held on April 19 in 102 constituencies across 21 states and UTs. According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout registered was over 62 per cent. The third phase election will be held on May 7. (ANI)
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Met forecasts heatwave conditions in several south Bengal districts
Met forecasts heatwave conditions in several south Bengal districts Several areas in south Bengal on Wednesday recorded temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, with the meteorological department predicting heatwave conditions persisting until April 21. The forecast indicates that heatwave conditions will persist across various districts in south Bengal, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, Bankura, and Birbhum. Additionally, the weather office said hot and humid conditions will prevail in other parts of the region. Over the next three days, the maximum temperature is expected to increase by two to three degrees Celsius, with minimal change thereafter, according to the Meteorological department. To mitigate heat-related risks, people have been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to heat and outdoor activities between 11 am and 4 pm. Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district registered the highest daytime temperature on Wednesday at 42.8 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal by six notches, weathermen said. Other areas experiencing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius include Bankura (42.1), Barrackpore (41.5), Medinipur (41), Kalaikunda (41), Bardhaman (40.8), and Asansol (40.7), they said. Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal by four degrees.
Aakar Patel| We cant forget how govt failed to tackle Covids 2021 2nd wave
Three years ago, on April 15, 2021, the National Task Force on Covid-19 met for the first time in three months (the last meeting was on January 11). Cases were now at 216,000 and deaths over 1,100. Two days after that, on April 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held what he said was his largest-ever rally at Asansol in West Bengal, with lakhs of people in the audience. The daily positive cases that day were 260,000 with 1,500 deaths. Till this time, Mr Modi had appeared to be oblivious to the power of exponential growth though the government was warned specifically and severally about an impending second wave. It was only after he returned that evening from West Bengal and perhaps internalised the commentary on television of the devastation in Delhis hospitals that Mr Modi acted. The next day, April 18, he cancelled any further activity at the Kumbh Mela. Daily cases were now at 275,000 but it still took another four days for Mr Modi to cancel his rallies in Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum and Kolkata. He said the rallies would be virtual (in reality, only the speaker was virtual and appeared on a screen; the crowd still gathered). By now, cases were at 332,000, with 2,200 deaths daily. The same day that Mr Modi cancelled his rallies, the obliging Election Commission banned rallies for all parties. In guiding India through this second wave, Mr Modi flew by the seat of his pants. Structurally, there was nothing other than his office running the Covid-19 strategy. The Union Cabinet did not decide or discuss a single issue related to the pandemic as the second wave surged through March and April 2021. It met five times, but only to clear things like the second phase of Bengalurus metro project and some memoranda of understanding with foreign nations. Even on May 11, it met only to approve things like a ropeway project in Uttarakhand. Ministers did not appear to know what Mr Modis vaccination strategy was, or if indeed he had any. On May 18, Nitin Gadkari asked for more firms to be issued licences to make the vaccine. This was reported the next day, and it was pointed out that this was exactly what former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had suggested to Mr Modi a month before (a suggestion that was met with an insolent reply from Harsh Vardhan). In the face of calamity, Mr Modi froze. In the seven months from March to September 2020, Mr Modi made 82 public appearances physical as well as virtual. In the next four months, he made 111 such appearances. From February to April 25, 2021, he clocked 92 public appearances. From April 25, after he called off the Kumbh and his West Bengal rallies, Mr Modi disappeared. He made no public appearance for 20 days. The Prime Minister of India fled the field when his people needed the government most. Twice in 2020, in April and in November, the government had been warned that an oxygen shortage was looming. The minutes of one meeting said in clear terms: In the coming days India could face a shortage of oxygen supplies. While before April, Mr Modi did not himself take the pandemic seriously, he also insisted on managing it personally. If there was any strategy at all in tackling the pandemic, it came directly from Mr Modis office; there was no role for the Cabinet in pandemic control, PMO calls the shots, as a newspaper headline put it. This was in keeping with the way in which he has run the government all this time. A wave that began at the end of February was not only allowed to gather momentum, it was goaded on. Through four weeks of March, through three weeks of April, India held gigantic gatherings directly organised by the BJP or approved and encouraged by it. The consequences were felt by the countrys healthcare system, which was always fragile and unavailable to the poor at the best of times. Here, the second aspect to tackling a pandemic, the failure to anticipate the effects of a sudden wave and the preparation of a war chest of medical equipment, came into playIn the eight weeks between March 1 and April 30, Indias daily cases grew 40 times from 11,000 to more than 400,000. No healthcare system in the world can handle an explosion of patients of this sort. The only way to protect the population is to stockpile things that may not be immediately required today but are produced and procured and set aside in anticipation of a waves peak. India did not do that. In April 2020, the government decided it would procure 50,000 Make in India ventilators, but ultimately only procured 35,000 of them after it determined that the pandemic had been seen off. Corporates like Maruti said they had made ventilators, but the government chose not to procure them. Two months before the second wave, on February 21, 2021, the BJP passed a resolution: It can be said with pride that India not only defeated Covid under the able, sensitive, committed and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, but also infused in all its citizens the confidence to build an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The party unequivocally hails its leadership for introducing India to the world as a proud and victorious nation in the fight against Covid. When the crematoria began to overflow, no reference to this was made. All this may not affect the claims and the bombast, but this is not history from 1526, this happened to us just three years ago and must not be forgotten.
Adhir and Ahluwalia face protests during election campaign
Both Baharampur and Asansol are going to polls on May 13. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is five term Congress MP while S.S. Ahluwalia has represented Darjeeling and Bardhaman Durgapur.
BJP Picks Ex Union Minister SS Ahluwalia To Take On Shatrughan Sinha In Bengal's Asansol
The BJP on Wednesday announced the nomination of former Union minister SS Ahluwalia from the Asansol Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal.
The Bhojpuri singers nomination from Asansol triggered outrage due to his alleged denigration of Bengali women; he will take on RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, CPI(ML)s Rajaram Singh in Karakat
BJP fields Ahluwalia in West Bengals Asansol against Trinamools Shatrughan Sinha
S.S. Ahluwalia, a two term BJP MP, is a politician with significant political experience
Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh throws his hat in the ring, names seat but keeps mum on party
Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh throws his hat in the ring, names seat but keeps mum on party Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, who had turned down a BJP ticket for Asansol in West Bengal, on Wednesday said he will contest Lok Sabha polls from Karakat in his home state of Bihar. Singh made the announcement on X but did not disclose whether he would be contesting as an Independent or as the candidate of a political party. ''One's mother carries greater weight than this earth. I had promised my mother that I would contest elections this time. I will stand from Karakat, Bihar, in the Lok Sabha polls. Jai Mata Di,'' Singh wrote in Hindi. Notably, the announcement comes on a day the BJP has declared SS Ahluwalia, its sitting MP from Bardhaman-Durgapur, as the candidate from Asansol, where actor turned politician Shatrughan Sinha is seeking re-election on a Trinamool Congress ticket. Singh, who hails from Bhojpur district in Bihar, and was said to be eyeing the Arrah seat where Union minister RK Singh is seeking re-election for a third consecutive term. The Bhojpuri singer was named the party candidate from Asansol but he withdrew from the contest following a backlash over some of his songs with misogynistic lyrics that also denigrated the Bengali community. Karakat goes to polls in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections and filing of nomination papers will begin in about a month from now. The Bhojpuri singer, by entering the fray, would queer the pitch for former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, an ex-MP from Karakat whose Rashtriya Lok Morcha has been assigned the seat by the NDA. Kushwaha's principal challenge is likely to come from far-Left CPI(ML) Liberation, which will contest the seat on behalf of INDIA bloc, and has fielded veteran peasant leader and former MLA Raja Ram Singh. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM has also said that it will contest the central Bihar seat.
Pawan Singh, who turned down BJP ticket from Asansol, to fight from Bihar seat
Pawan Singh who turned down BJP ticket from Asansol to fight from Bihar seat
Entire UP is completely angry: Rajnath Singh attacks SP, Congress over their narratives against BJP
Entire UP is completely angry: Rajnath Singh attacks SP, Congress over their narratives against BJP Union Minister Rajnath Singh attacked the Samajwadi Party and Congress on Wednesday for their arratives against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur and said that the entire UP is completely angry with the Congress and SP. Rajnath Singh claimed that while both parties propagated a narrative of anger among the state's populace against the BJP, they failed to acknowledge that the people of Uttar Pradesh were dissatisfied with them. While addressing a public meeting in Saharanpur, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, As far as the question of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress is concerned, I remember that during the 2017 assembly elections, both SP and Congress ran a narrative that the backward people of UP were angry with the BJP. In 2019, again, they started a new narrative that Brahmins were angry with the BJP. Likewise, in 2022, again, they spread a narrative of Jats being angry with the BJP and now in 2024, a narrative is being spread that the Rajputs are angry with the BJP, he said. However, both parties are not prepared to realise that the entire UP is completely angry with the Congress and SP, added Singh. Rajnath Singh further said, I want to speak about this and say that if someone can find a solution for the unhappiness of the people of UP, then it is not Congress or SP but only BJP. Taking a hit at both parties, Rajnath Singh further said, The Samajwadi Party's condition is such that the party's candidates keep changing from Monday to Sunday. It is a crisis. And if we speak about Congress, its condition is such that the party is not even able to find candidates. I believe that after the 2024 elections, people will ask, what is SP and what is Congress? stated Singh. In his address to the gathering, Rajnath Singh also lauded UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his efforts to improve the law and order situation in the state. Addressing the public, he said, The first condition for the development of any state is to have a fair and proper law and order system. And our UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has succeeded in making this possible, so I congratulate him on this. If I were to discuss all the work that has been done by Chief Minister Yogi, it would take a very long time. I have full belief that all kinds of issues will be solved in the state under the governance of Chief Minister Yogi, said Singh. Meanwhile, the BJP released its 10th list of 9 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday. The list, which was released on Wednesday, had eight new names, while the party replaced its candidate from West Bengal's Asansol. The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 303 seats, while the Indian National Congress (INC) managed to get only 52 seats. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 282 seats, while the Indian National Congress (INC) managed to get only 44 seats. (ANI)
BJP Fields SS Ahluwalia vs Shatrughan Sinha In Bengal's Asansol
BJP has released its tenth list of Lok Sabha candidates this morning, including for Bengal's Asansol constituency. SS Ahluwalia is going to contest from this constituency. He is going to take on Shatrughan Sinha fielded by the TMC.
BJP releases 10th list of candidates, replaces Pawan Singh with Ahluwalia from Asansol
New Delhi, April 10 (UNI) BJP on Wednesday released the 10th list of nine candidates for the Lok Sabha Polls from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh. The list has eight new names and the BJP replaced its candidate from West Bengals Asansol. The party has earlier fielded Pawan Singh from Asansol and he is... The post BJP releases 10th list of candidates, replaces Pawan Singh with Ahluwalia from Asansol first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .
Lok Sabha Polls 2024 | BJP Fields Parasnath Rai From Ghazipur Parliamentary Constituency
NEW DELHI, Apr 10: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its 10th list of 9 candidates for the Lok Sabha Election 2024. The list has eight new names, while the party replaced its candidate from West Bengals Asansol. The party has earlier fielded Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh from Asansol, who has now been replaced by SS Ahluwalia. Of the 8 new names, 7 are from UP and one from Chandighar. The saffron party has fielded Sanjay Tandon from Chandigarh, [] The post Lok Sabha Polls 2024 | BJP Fields Parasnath Rai From Ghazipur Parliamentary Constituency appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
The News Mill
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its tenth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, announcing 9 names. Notably, sitting MP Kirron Kher was dropped from Chandigarh, replaced by Sanjay Tandon. Former Union Minister SS Ahluwalia was nominated from West Bengal's Asansol, replacing Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh.
NIA moves Calcutta HC against WB police summons
Kolkata: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) moved the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday after two of its officers got summons from the West Bengal police for questioning in the case of the violent mob attack on the central agency team during its raid and arrest of two Trinamul Congress workers at Bhupatinagar in East Midnapore last week in a 2022 crude bomb blast case. The two NIA officers have been asked to appear at the Bhupatinagar police station on April 11 with their vehicle that was damaged in the attack. One of them was injured in the mob fury. He has been directed to bring his medical reports with him for scrutiny while another officer is the one who had lodged the complaint of the mob attack. The NIA team also faces an FIR on molestation charge following a complaint by the wife of one of the arrested accused. Waking up to the summons and the FIR of molestation, the NIA moved the HC and sought permission to file a case against them. It's plea was accepted. Justice Jay Sengupta is likely to hear the matter. In the evening the TMC claimed that superintendent of police (NIA) Kolkata Branch office, Dhan Ram Singh, whom it accused of taking money from BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari to conduct the raid, has been moved out of the city. It posted on X-handle, With our relentless pressure, @NIA_India has been forced to call SP Dhan Ram Singh, caught in cahoots with BJP's @JitendraAsansol, back to Delhi. Looks like the tainted officer is being transferred. BJP's stooges like him have no place in Bengal. *NIA-BJP = 0, Bengal = 1!*
A non-BJP government will be formed: TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on 2024 Lok Sabha elections
A non-BJP government will be formed: TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on 2024 Lok Sabha elections Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over its ambitious 2024 Lok Sabha election slogan of 'Ab ki baar 400 par, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Sunday said that this time BJP won't secure victory Ghosh recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement made during the West Bengal Assembly elections in 2021, where he had proclaimed 'Abki baar 200 paar'. He (PM Modi) had said in Bengal in 2021 that 'Abki baar 200 paar' but what happened? This time BJP will not win, a non-BJP secular government will be formed at the Centre. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said. Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and candidate for the Asansol Lok Sabha seat, Shatrughan Sinha denounced the party's slogan Ab ki baar 400 paar, suggesting it stemmed from fear rather than confidence. Highlighting the role of the BJP, in the recent electoral bonds case, Sinha stated that the party misused the central agencies to extort money from companies. The BJP is in trouble because of a big scam called the electoral bonds case. They're accused of using government agencies to get money from companies and giving contracts to dishonest companies, going against their promise of not being corrupt. Because of all this, BJP's popularity has dropped a lot. Now, they're trying to win people back with the slogan 'Ab ki baar 400 paar' because they are desperate, Sinha said Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of putting brakes on central government schemes. Addressing a public meeting in Jalpaiguri, PM Modi said, The TMC government here puts brakes on our development schemes. The central government sent Rs 30,000 crore for building houses of poor. Modi says that the money should directly go into the account of the beneficiary, but TMC says that the money should first come into their leader's accounts. So, you tell you, how should I let TMC loot public money?. He added, The Centre is sending money for 'Nal se Jal' to bring tap water in the houses of every sister, but the scheme is not being implemented properly in Bengal. I want to provide free gas connections to people, but the corrupt, anti-poor and anti-SC/ST TMC government is not letting it happen. Poor patients are getting free treatment upto Rs 5 lakh, but the anti-poor TMC government is not letting this scheme (Ayushman Bharat) from being implemented.The 42 parliamentary seats of Bengal will poll across all seven phases--on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.In 2019, TMC won the maximum 22 out of 42 seats, but BJP improved its tally significantly creating inroads and bagging 18 seats. The Congress won two seats. (ANI)
Thunderstorm forecast for West Bengal amid sweltering heat
Thunderstorm forecast for West Bengal amid sweltering heat People of southern West Bengal are likely to get a respite from the sweltering heat with the Met Department on Saturday forecasting thunderstorms owing to the formation of a cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh. Heatwave conditions are prevailing over several districts in the region, with Panagarh recording the highest temperature in the state at 41.7 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Bankura at 41.5 degrees Celsius, the weather office said. It forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind in the region till Monday, and in northern West Bengal till Wednesday owing to a cyclonic circulation lying over north Bangladesh and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal. Southern West Bengal, which has seen a steady rise in day temperatures over the last one week, is set to see a fall in the mercury level by three to four notches, the forecast said, providing people of the region with hope of a respite from the sweltering heat. Kolkata recorded 38.3 degrees Celsius, while Asansol, Purulia and Barrackpore crossed the 40 degrees mark, it said.
Eyeing fresh term in LS from Asansol, TMC's 'Shotgun' sets the bar higher
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who was renominated by the ruling TMC from the Asansol Lok Sabha seat, said on Friday he would try to ensure an even bigger margin of victory than what he recorded in the previous bypoll.
Will Break Previous Record: Shatrughan Sinha Files Nomination From Asansol
Bollywood actor and Trinamool MP Shatrughan Sinha expressed his happiness over filing his nomination from West Bengal's Asansol constituency on Thursday. I have spent all festivals in Asansol. I spend nearly 15 days here every month. I emerged victorious with record votes last time and we will try to break that record this time, he said.
Trinamool's poster dig at BJP for not naming Asansol, Diamond Harbour nominees
Trinamools poster dig at BJP for not naming Asansol Diamond Harbour nominees
Pro-TMC forum of intellectuals on 2-week campaign trail
Pro-TMC forum of intellectuals on 2-week campaign trail A pro-Trinamool Congress forum of intellectuals launched a two-week long campaign from Saturday to canvass support for party candidates ahead of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections beginning from April 19. The Desh Bachao Gana Manch (Save Country Peoples Platform) consists of singers Pratul Mukhopadhyay, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Sobhan Sundar Basu and others. We want the defeat of undemocratic, authoritarian, communal forces in the coming Lok Sabha polls and want to tell people there is no alternative to TMC, one of the forum members said. Their campaign on Saturday covered areas like Kolkata airport, Haroa and Baruipur. In the coming days, they will travel to places such as Canning, Kalyani, Krishnanagar, Jangipur, Malda, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Suri, Bolpur, Asansol, Durgapur and Hooghly crisscrossing northern and southern parts of the state. The campaign by the intellectuals will continue till April 13.
BJP names candidates for 2 more LS seats in Bengal
BJP names candidates for 2 more LS seats in Bengal The BJP on Saturday announced candidates for the Jhargram (ST) and Birbhum Lok Sabha seats on Saturday night. While Dr Pranat Tudu has been fielded from Jhargram, former IPS officer Debashis Dhar will contest from Birbhum. Tudu will lock horns with his principal rival Kalipada Soren of the TMC while Dhar is pitted against actor-turned-sitting MP Satabdi Roy. Tudu, a physician, said he is happy as the national leadership reposed faith in him and he is hopeful about serving the poor in a new way. With Saturday's announcement, the BJP named candidates for 40 out of 42 seats so far. Diamond Harbour and Asansol seats, where the sitting MPs are Abhishek Banerjee and Shatraghan Sinha, both of the TMC, are now left. TMC spokesperson and former MP Santanu Sen said in a post on X, ''@BJP4India and @BJP4Bengal are yet to find a person to face the Royal Bengal Tiger in Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of @AITCofficial.'' ''They couldn't find candidate for the Asansol too, where the declared candidate already ran away,'' Sen posted. BJP had declared Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh as its nominee for Asansol but he announced his inability to contest the next day. Though he had not specified the reason behind his decision to not contest from Asansol, his candidature had drawn criticism from the TMC, which alleged that some of his songs were crude and depicted women, including those from Bengal, in a vulgar way.
The demand for more workers is mainly from places such as Panipat, Varanasi, Asansol, Dhanbad, Guwahati, Raipur, Nagpur, Jaipur, Patna, Salem, Calicut, Coimbatore, Vizag, Cuttack, Guntur, Nellore and Madurai, as large Indian companies and multinationals look to expand their network amid a rise in demand for air-conditioners, coolers, refrigerators, fans and inverters in tier 2 and 3 regions.
Asansol Lok Sabha constituency: Know polling date, party wise candidates, past results
The upcoming Lok Sabha election for the Asansol constituency is scheduled to take place in April, with the voting set for May 13 (Phase 4) and the results to be announced on June 4.
Modi Holds CEC Meet to Finalise Names for Lok Sabha Polls
New Delhi: The BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) met on Saturday to finalise names of candidates for Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and remaining names for Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal Lok Sabha election. The party has already declared to contest solo in Odisha where talks with the states ruling party BJD over alliance failed. The meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was chaired by the partys national president J.P. Nadda at the partys headquarters and attended by other CEC members also including union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BJP Odisha unit chief Manmohan Samal along with organisational secretary Manas Mohanty also attended the meeting when names of candidates for their respective states were discussed. Among the names from UP, the party will be deciding on seats which are currently represented by its MPs Varun Gandhi, Maneka Gandhi, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, Santosh Gangwar, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Virendra Singh Mast and others. The BJP had released 195 names in its first list on March 2. So far, the party has announced 291 candidates out of which two of them from Gujarat have expressed their inability to contest the coming polls. Ranjanben Bhatt from Vadodara and Bhikhaji Thakor, the partys candidate for Sabarkantha, announced that they are unwilling to contest the polls from their respective constituencies. While Bhatt is a sitting MP, Thakor is a new name and their candidatures were opposed by the BJP cadre. Two other candidates, Pawan Singh, who was fielded from Asansol in West Bengal and Upendra Rawat from Barabanki had also expressed their ability to not contest. However, it is not clear whether the party will be fielding other candidates on these two seats. Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. Counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.
INDIA bloc like 'filtered coffee'; Congress comeback cannot be ruled out: Shatrughan Sinha
INDIA bloc like 'filtered coffee'; Congress comeback cannot be ruled out: Shatrughan Sinha Senior TMC leader and MP Shatrughan Sinha has dubbed opposition bloc INDIA as ''filtered coffee'' which is gaining momentum ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and emphasised the importance of not discounting the Congress, citing its track record of comebacks in politics. Lauding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for conducting ''krantikari (revolutionary) yatras'' across the country, the Asansol MP, however, asserted that TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be a ''game-changer'' after the results are announced. In an interview with PTI, the actor-turned-politician termed the electoral bond as a ''major scam and extortion racket'' of the BJP and said the ''seven-phase elections are a boon for the opposition parties to expose the saffron camps extortion and blackmail racket in the form of electoral bonds.'' ''The BJP will be defeated in this election. If the NDA has the support of the CBI, ED, and Income Tax, INDIA has the support of the masses. Many think that INDIA doesnt have partners, but the fact is people are its biggest ally. The opposition alliance is gaining momentum in various parts of the country,'' he said. He claimed that INDIA alliance is like ''filtered coffee'' with ''solid leaders'' such as Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Tejashwi Yadav of RJD, and many others being part of the bloc. ''Several important leaders across the country are part of the INDIA alliance, and that is why I call this filtered coffee. This filtered coffee would taste much better when other opposition leaders would also join it after the elections,'' he said. Asked about the reluctance of parties like AAP and TMC to have Congress leading the opposition bloc, Sinha remarked that the presence of the grand old party ''is a must for any opposition alliance just like any other opposition party.'' ''Congress is a national party and should not be ruled out. It has a history and track record of making comebacks. In 2019 also, it had the highest seat share among opposition parties,'' he said. Speaking about the INDIA alliance not gaining traction in states such as Punjab and Bengal despite AAP and TMC being part of the opposition front on the national level, Sinha said, ''Ground-level alliances were not possible in some states as it would lead to the opposition space going to the BJP.'' ''Maybe the official alliance is not on the ground, but leaders of INDIA alliance such as Mamata Banerjee will sweep the elections in Bengal,'' he said. Sinha, however, noted that not being part of the opposition front in the states doesnt mean they ''will not come together after elections.'' ''Those who are not in the INDIA bloc now or are fighting separately doesnt mean they will not join the opposition front after the polls. After the elections, the opposition will come together to oust the BJP,'' the TMC MP said. Mocking the BJP's assertion of securing over 370 seats independently and the NDA surpassing 400 seats, Sinha said, ''Such claims reflect the frustration in the saffron party camp.'' ''BJP can achieve this figure only through manipulation. If they indulge in horse-trading as it did to form a government in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, then they can manage something or else they wont touch 150-175 seats,'' he said. The BJP had won 303 seats in the last Lok Sabha polls. Likening the electoral bond as icing on the cake for the opposition during the staggered poll campaign, he said, ''Electoral bond is a big scam and an extortion racket of the BJP by using the CBI and the ED to extort money by threatening raids and arrests. The business in the name of donations is now out in the open.'' The BJP received the maximum funds through these bonds at Rs 6,986.5 crore since they were introduced in 2018, followed by West Bengal's ruling party Trinamool Congress (Rs 1,397 crore), Congress (Rs 1,334 crore), and BRS (Rs 1,322 crore). Asked about opposition parties including the TMC receiving funds through electoral bonds, he said, ''You cannot compare the two, whether it is Congress, TMC, or any other opposition party, they have received money under the system but didnt misuse central agencies.'' ''I think this issue of electoral bonds is icing on the cake for the opposition as the seven-phase elections for nearly 2.5 months will give it an opportunity to expose the BJP in front of the masses on the issue,'' he said. The Supreme Court recently annulled the electoral bonds scheme for political funding. An electoral bond is a financial instrument for making donations to political parties as had been first pronounced by the finance minister in the Union Budget 2017-18. Sinha lauded Rahul Gandhi for conducting two yatras crisscrossing the entire length and breadth of the country. ''Rahul Gandhi is a competent leader. He is a tried and tested leader. But at the same time, I believe our party supremo will be the game-changer in terms of government formation post-elections. But who will be prime minister will be decided by the opposition parties after elections,'' he said. Sinha had joined the BJP in the early 80s and served the saffron camp as its star campaigner during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-L K Advani era. The two-term BJP MP from Patna Sahib later walked out of the party over differences with the present leadership and joined the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Bollywood actor of the 1970s and 1980s switched over to the TMC in 2022. He successfully fought the by-election from Asansol, an industrial town in West Bengal. Sinha, who has been renominated for the second time from the Asansol seat, exuded confidence in retaining the seat by a larger margin than the 2022 bypoll.
Six LS constituencies in Bengal identified as financially sensitive seats
Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) Six out of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal have been identified as financially sensitive seats, sources in the state Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) office said on Tuesday. The six constituencies are Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Darjeeling, Asansol, Bangaon, and Kolkata Uttar. The poll panel has also directed the []
TMC unhappy with seven-phase polls in Bengal; BJP, Congress, CPM welcome decision
KOLKATA: West Bengals 42 Lok Sabha constituencies will vote in seven phases in the 18th general elections starting from April 19 and ending on June 1. The electoral exercise will continue for 44 days. The Election Commission (EC)s decision to conduct the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal in the maximum number of phases along with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh drew sharp criticism from the ruling TMC, which argued that polling in so many phases in the state would be advantageous to the BJP. Leaders of the ruling party alleged that the poll panel maligned the image of the state by ignoring their views recommending voting in a single phase. However, all the opposition parties BJP, Congress and CPI(M) welcomed the ECs decision. We have noticed that more voters turn out to exercise their franchise if there are fewer number of phases. This is why we demanded polling in a single phase. Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are big states but they are voting in one phase. Why so many phases for Bengal? This is nothing but a tactic to spread terror which will be advantageous for the BJP, said TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. Sources in the TMC said the party supremo Mamata Banerjee would make the seven-phase poll in Bengal an issue in the campaign portraying it as an attempt to defame Bengal as a volatile state. She will stress that political parties like the BJP with deeper pockets are at an advantage over others when it comes to multi-phase polling. She will also give examples of other states with similar geographical size and sending around the same number of MPs to the Lok Sabha, which are voting in a single phase, said a senior TMC leader. Mamata says 'no ties' with brother after he expresses displeasure over TMC's Howrah candidate Welcoming the ECs decision, BJPs state president Sukanta Majumdar said the TMCs muscle flexing in the election would not work this time. We are happy with the ECs polls schedule. But the way voters are intimidated in Bengal, there should have been more phases. TMCs muscle power will not work this time, he said. State Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, expressed his happiness over the seven-phase polling in Bengal. Had it been in one phase, as demanded by the TMC, the ruling party would have unleashed terror across the state. The seven-phase polling will help the electorate to exercise their franchise, he said. CPI(M)s Sujan Chakrabarty said his party would have welcomed it even if there had been 12 phases. We dont have any problem with the number of phases in Bengal, he said. Vigilant Governor Expressing his commitment to be actively engaged in the upcoming general elections, West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose said he would be present on the roads from 6 am on polling days to put an end to violence. Bose assure that he would exert his utmost effort to achieve his goal. I will be in the field right from day one of the election. My two priorities will be to see that no violence and corruption takes place during the election. I will be on the road at 6 am before others wake up, said Bose. Mamatas new foe a judge without a gavel Party wise strength In 2019 LS polls: TMC-22, BJP-18, Congress-2 (After Asansol BJP MP Babul Supriya defected to the TMC, the seat was won by it in the by-election taking its present tally to 23 and reducing the BJPs strength to 17) Bengal schedule: First phase (3 LS constituencies): April 19 - Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri. Second phase (3 LS constituencies): April 26 - Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat. Third phase (4 LS constituencies): May 7 - Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad. Fourth phase (8 LS constituencies): May 13 - Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum. Fifth phase (7 LS constituencies): May 20 - Bongaon Barrackpore, Howrah, Uluberia, Serampore, Hooghly, Arambag. Sixth phase (8 LS constituencies): May 25 - Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Midnipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur Seventh phase (9 LS constituencies): June 1 - Barasat, Basirhat, Dum Dum, Kolkata Uttar, Kolkata Dakshin, Jadavpur, Mathurapur, Jaynagar and Diamond Harbour. Why Mamata gave Congress the cold shoulder in West Bengal
TMC Against Seven-phase LS Polls in WB
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has ordered Adilabad district and mandal level leaders to attend the TPCC general body meeting on Wednesday, which will be chaired by the newly appointed AICC in-charge of Telangana Deepa Dasmunshi. Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabh (DC file photo) Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has ordered Adilabad district and mandal level leaders to attend the TPCC general body meeting on Wednesday, which will be chaired by the newly appointed AICC in-charge of Telangana Deepa Dasmunshi. Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabh (DC file photo) Kolkata: The Trinamul Congress has objected to the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections for the 42 seats in West Bengal. State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya claimed, We repeatedly had sought the LS polls be held in one or two phases in Bengal because we found that the minimal phases help people to cast their votes freely and increase their turnout here. Still the number of phases has been stretched to seven. She also pointed out: If there are multiple phases, voter turnout drops like it happened in 2019 compared to its previous occasion. It is also against federal structure as it helps those, who have the moneypower, to mobilize their funds fully by utilizing the time they get out of multiple phases. Bhattacharya added, Many bigger states are going to have one phase poll. There was no need to hold the LS polls here in seven phases. Among the 42 seats in Bengal, three seats each will go to the first two phases. These are Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri on April 19 and Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat on April 26. The third phase on May 4 will cover Malda North, Malda South, Murshidabad and Jangipur. On May 13, Berhampore, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, BardhamanDurgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, Birbhum will go to polls in the fourth round, followed by Bongaon, Barrackpore, Howrah, Uluberia, Serampore, Hooghly and Arambagh in the fifth phase on May 20. While the sixth phase on May 25 will cover Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur, the seventh and final round will have Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Joynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar on June 1.
The Asansol Lok Sabha election in West Bengal is scheduled for April, one among the crucial 42 seats in the state. The voting and result announcement date will be disclosed by the Election Commission of India on March 16. Shatrughan Sinha is the Trinamool Congress candidate, while BJP's Pawan Singh withdrew. In 2019, BJP's Babul Supriyo won, while in 2014, he emerged victorious again.
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Fulfilling Vow: BJP's Pawan Singh Now Says He Will Fight Lok Sabha Polls
Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh, who had expressed his inability to contest the Lok Sabha elections from West Bengal's Asansol just a day after the BJP announced his name for the constituency, took a U-turn on Wednesday.
Bhojpuri Singer Pawan Singh Takes U-Turn, Says Will Contest Lok Sabha Polls
Asansol: Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh, who had withdrawn his BJP candidature from Asansol in West Bengal, took a U-turn on Wednesday saying he will contest the Lok Sabha polls. I will contest elections to fulfill the promise made to the people and my mother. I seek your blessings and cooperation. Jai Mata Di, the [] The post Bhojpuri Singer Pawan Singh Takes U-Turn, Says Will Contest Lok Sabha Polls appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
I will contest elections to fulfil the promise made to my society, people, and mother. Your blessings and cooperation are expected. 'Jai Mata Di, he said on X.
Bhojpuri Singer Pawan Singh announces to fight elections, days after withdrawing from Asansol
Bhojpuri Singer Pawan Singh announces to fight elections, days after withdrawing from Asansol In a major political development, days after he withdrew his candidature from Bengal's Asansol constituency, Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh on Wednesday announced that he will fight the elections. In a post on X, Pawan sought people's blessing and cooperation. I will contest elections to fulfil the promise made to my society, people, and mother. Your blessings and cooperation are expected. 'Jai Mata Di, he said on X. However, the Bhojpuri singer has not yet announced the constituency and the party from which he will fight the elections. Earlier, Pawan Singh withdrew from the race for the Lok Sabha on March 3. Taking to his official handle on X, the singer confirmed that he was pulling out of the contest due to some reason. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the top leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party. The party trusted me and declared me as the candidate from West Bengal's Asansol but due to some reason, I will not be able to contest the elections from Asansol, Singh posted from his X handle on Sunday. Adding to the intrigue around his decision to stand down from the contest, the national general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress, Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, tagged the Bhojpuri singer's post with a comment reading, The indomitable spirit and power of the people of West Bengal. After Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Asansol, Congress leader Pawan Khera said that on one hand, the BJP is raising the issue of the Sandeshkali incident, and on the other hand, it is fielding singers like Pawan Singh to fight polls. Pawan Khera also questioned whether Prime Minister Modi was aware of Pawan Singh's image. This is an interesting case. All the agencies are under the control of the PM. Wasn't he aware of Pawan Singh's image? Now he gets to know that after 24 hours. This depicts what kind of government there is in the country. All the agencies are there to keep an eye on the opposition. It is obvious now that people like Harsh Vardhan are taking retirement because this is the era of Pawan Singh, Khera told ANI. (ANI)
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Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh to contest polls after dropping out as Asansol BJP candidate
Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh to contest polls after dropping out as Asansol BJP candidate
TMC fields former minister Zenith Sangma from Meghalaya's Tura seat
TMC fields former minister Zenith Sangma from Meghalaya's Tura seat The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) announced former minister Zenith Sangma as its candidate from Meghalaya's Tura constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. AITC under the guidance and inspiration of Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, we are pleased to announce the Meghalaya candidate from the Parliamentary Constituency of Tura (ST) seat, the party said in a post on X on Tuesday. Zenith Sangma, brother to former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, is the party's first candidate outside of West Bengal, to be named for the general elections. On March 10, TMC announced candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, abandoning the opposition coalition, INDIA bloc. The list of candidates was released by TMC general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will contest from Diamond Harbour. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in the winter session last year, has been given a ticket from the Krishnanagar constituency. Mukut Mani Adhikari, who recently quit the BJP, has also been given a ticket from the Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat. Shatrughan Sinha is set to again contest from Asansol, a seat he had won earlier in the 2022 bypoll. TMC has fielded Jagadish C Basuniya from Cooch Behar, Prakash Chik Baraik from Alipurduar, Nirmal Ch Roy from Jalpaiguri, and Gopal Lama from Darjeeling. The Trinamool Congress has already kicked off the campaign for the upcoming general elections. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats. The Congress won the remaining two seats.In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat trains for 10 different routes from Ahmedabad
PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat trains for 10 different routes from Ahmedabad Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off 10 high-speed Vande Bharat trains across the country from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure, connectivity and the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister visited DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad laid the foundation stone and dedicated a slew of railway and Petrochemicals projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; the Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicated to the nation two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad. PM Modi also flagged off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin). The Prime Minister flagged off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations. He also flagged off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations - New Khurja Jn, Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He dedicated to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. The Prime Minister also dedicated 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation. Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. This upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. Prime Minister dedicated to the nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This will improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains. The Prime Minister dedicated 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail Coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. Prime Minister dedicated more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the railways' carbon footprint. He laid the foundation stone of the Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej, Gujarat. Setting up the Petrochemicals complex in proximity to the existing LNG regasification terminal would result in significant savings in the capex and the opex cost of the project. Implementation of the project is likely to create an opportunity for direct and indirect employment to the tune of 50,000 persons during the execution phase and an opportunity of employment of over 20,000 persons during its operational phase ushering in huge socio-economic benefits in the region. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in two states; Gujarat and Maharashtra worth around Rs 400 crores. Meanwhile, Ekta malls celebrate and support the rich and diverse heritage of Indian handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products and ODOP products. Ekta malls are a symbol of the unity and diversity of India, as well as a catalyst for the development and empowerment of our traditional skills and sectors. (ANI)
Artists perform classical dance during Vande Bharat trains flag-off ceremony in Visakhapatnam
Artists perform classical dance during Vande Bharat trains flag-off ceremony in Visakhapatnam Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off two new Vande Bharat express trains, one between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar and the other between Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the artists were seen performing a classical dance to mark the flagging off of the Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Vande Bharat Express at Visakhapatnam Railway Station. In a post on X, PM Modi said that he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several projects covering sectors like railways and petrochemicals. In a short while from now, at around 9:15 AM, I will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several projects covering sectors like railways and petrochemicals. Vande Bharat trains and freight trains will also be flagged off. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras across different parts will be dedicated to the nation as well. Do join this programme, PM Modi posted on X. In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure, connectivity and the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister will visit DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad to lay the foundation stone and dedicate a slew of railway and Petrochemicals projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; the Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister's Office stated. PM Modi will also flag off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin). The Prime Minister will also flag off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations, the release stated. The Prime Minister will also flag off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations - New Khurja Jn., Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He will dedicate to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. The Prime Minister will also dedicate 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation. Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the Nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. This upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the Nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This will improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains, the PMO stated. The Prime Minister will dedicate 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail Coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. Prime Minister will dedicate more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses. The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the railways' carbon footprint. Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej, Gujarat. Setting up of the Petrochemicals complex in proximity to the existing LNG regasification terminal would result in significant savings in the capex and the opex cost of the project. Implementation of the project is likely to create an opportunity of direct and indirect employment to the tune of 50,000 persons during execution phase and an opportunity of employment of over 20,000 persons during its operational phase ushering in huge socio-economic benefits in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in two states; Gujarat and Maharashtra worth around Rs 400 crores. Meanwhile, Ekta malls celebrate and support the rich and diverse heritage of Indian handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products and ODOP products. Ekta malls are a symbol of the unity and diversity of India, as well as a catalyst for the development and empowerment of our traditional skills and sectors. Various other projects like the dedication of newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, and developments of railways Goods sheds, Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, among others, will also be done by the Prime Minister during the programme. These projects are a testament to the Government's dedication to building a modern and robust railway network. This investment will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and create new employment opportunities. Later, PM Modi will will inaugurate the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram. It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth. Prime Minister will also launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial. It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to uphold and cherish the ideals that Mahatma Gandhi stood for and also develop avenues that showcase his ideals and bring him closer to the people. In yet another effort in this endeavour, the Gandhi Ashram Memorial Project will help revitalise Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and philosophy for present and future generations. Under this master plan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres. 36 existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including 'Hriday Kunj', which served as Gandhi's residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will be reproduced, the release stated. The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like an orientation centre, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving and leatherwork and public utilities. The buildings will house interactive exhibits and activities to showcase aspects of Gandhiji's life as well as the legacy of the Ashram. The Masterplan also envisages the creation of a library and archives building to preserve, protect and disseminate Gandhiji's ideas. It will also create facilities for visiting scholars to use the Ashram's library and archives. The project will also enable the creation of an interpretation centre that can guide visitors with different expectations and in multiple languages, making their experience culturally and intellectually more stimulating and enriching. The Memorial will serve as an inspiration for future generations, fostering Gandhian thoughts and will enliven the essence of Gandhian values, through a process informed by principles of Trusteeship. (ANI)
PM Modi to visit Ahmedabad today, to flag off 10 new Vande Bharat trains
PM Modi to visit Ahmedabad today, to flag off 10 new Vande Bharat trains Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Tuesday and will flag off 10 new Vande Bharat trains, including a train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central. In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure, connectivity and the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister will visit DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad to lay the foundation stone and dedicate a slew of railway and Petrochemicals projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; the Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister's Office stated. PM Modi will also flag off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin). The Prime Minister will also flag off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations, the release stated. The Prime Minister will also flag off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations - New Khurja Jn, Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He will dedicate to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. The Prime Minister will also dedicate 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation. Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the Nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. This upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the Nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This will improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains, the PMO stated. The Prime Minister will dedicate 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail Coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. Prime Minister will dedicate more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses. The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the railways' carbon footprint. Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej, Gujarat. Setting up of the Petrochemicals complex in proximity to the existing LNG regasification terminal would result in significant savings in the capex and the opex cost of the project. Implementation of the project is likely to create an opportunity for direct and indirect employment to the tune of 50,000 persons during the execution phase and an opportunity of employment of over 20,000 persons during its operational phase ushering in huge socio-economic benefits in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in two states; Gujarat and Maharashtra worth around Rs 400 crores. Meanwhile, Ekta malls celebrate and support the rich and diverse heritage of Indian handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products and ODOP products. Ekta malls are a symbol of the unity and diversity of India, as well as a catalyst for the development and empowerment of our traditional skills and sectors. Various other projects like the dedication of newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, and developments of railways Goods sheds, Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, among others, will also be done by the Prime Minister during the programme. These projects are a testament to the Government's dedication to building a modern and robust railway network. This investment will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and create new employment opportunities. Later, PM Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram. It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth. Prime Minister will also launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial. It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to uphold and cherish the ideals that Mahatma Gandhi stood for and also develop avenues that showcase his ideals and bring him closer to the people. In yet another effort in this endeavour, the Gandhi Ashram Memorial Project will help revitalise Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and philosophy for present and future generations. Under this master plan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres. 36 existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including 'Hriday Kunj', which served as Gandhi's residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will be reproduced, the release stated. The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like an orientation centre, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving and leatherwork and public utilities. The buildings will house interactive exhibits and activities to showcase aspects of Gandhiji's life as well as the legacy of the Ashram. The masterplan also envisages the creation of a library and archives building to preserve, protect and disseminate Gandhiji's ideas. It will also create facilities for visiting scholars to use the Ashram's library and archives. The project will also enable the creation of an interpretation centre that can guide visitors with different expectations and in multiple languages, making their experience culturally and intellectually more stimulating and enriching. The memorial will serve as an inspiration for future generations, fostering Gandhian thoughts and will enliven the essence of Gandhian values, through a process informed by principles of Trusteeship. (ANI)
PM Modi to unveil railway projects worth Rs 85,000 cr in Ahmedabad tomorrow
PM Modi to unveil railway projects worth Rs 85,000 cr in Ahmedabad tomorrow Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will visit DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad to lay the foundation stone and dedicate a slew of railway projects worth over Rs 85,000 crore. According to an official release by the Prime Minister's Office, he will lay the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad. PM Modi will also flag off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin), the release stated. He will also flag off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations. Further, according to the release, Prime Minister Modi will also flag off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations--New Khurja Jn, Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He will dedicate to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These centres would offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation, the release detailed. He will also dedicate to the nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. The upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. He is also scheduled to inaugurate the Nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This tech-enabled system is tipped to improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains. Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate to the people 35 Rail Coach Restaurants that aim to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. He will dedicate more than 1,500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses, the PMO stated in its release. He will dedicate to the nation solar-powered stations/buildings at 975 locations as part of an initiative that is aimed at meeting the country's renewable energy goals while reducing the carbon footprint of the Railways. He will also launch and inaugurate various other projects, including newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, and developments of railway goods sheds, workshops, loco sheds, and pit lines/coaching depots, among others. These projects are a testament to the Government's dedication to building a modern and robust railway network, the PMO stated in its release, adding that this investment will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and create new employment opportunities. (ANI)
Bengal BJP mocks TMCs choice of some candidates
NEW DELHI: After the TMC declared the names of candidates for 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal on Sunday, the state BJP co-in charge and chief of BJP IT department, Amit Malviya, launched a scathing attack on the list. In a volley of posts on micro-blogging site X, Malviya said the Trinamool list is a damp squid.Seven of the 42 (17%) names in the list were those discarded from BJP Shatrughan Sinha (Asansole), Kirti Azad (Bardhman-Durgapur), Krishna Kalyani (Raiganj), Mukut Mani Adhikari (Ranaghat), Sujata Mondal (Bishnupur), Biswajit Das (Bagaon) and Biplab Mitra (Balurghat). Doesnt the TMC have candidates of their own? Malviya asked, adding, Of the candidates, Shatrughan Sinha, Kirti Azad and Yusuf Pathan are bohiragotos (outsiders). Didnt the party find enough sons of the soil? The BJP leader said that TMC candidate Abu Taher Khan had killed a six-year-old child. Abu Taher Khan, whose SUV dragged and killed a six-year-old child, has been fielded from Murshidabad. Did the TMC have a dearth of criminals that Mamata Banerjee needed Taher on the list? And of course Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Parliament for several violations and emerged as a face of impropriety, he wrote. He also mocked the TMC for fielding less number of Muslim candidates. Desperate to shed the appeasement charge, TMC has fielded just six Muslim candidates, compared to seven last time, said Malviya.
TMC abandons INDIA bloc, fields 42 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal
TMC abandons INDIA bloc, fields 42 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal Abandoning the Mallikarjun Kharge-led INDIA bloc, Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal for the upcoming general elections. Giving a message of TMC going solo in the Lok Sabha polls, party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee announced the list that included certain surprises from former cricketers Yusuf Pathan from Berhampore and Kirti Azad from the Bardhaman Durgapur Lok Sabha seat. Sukanta Majumdar, the President of the West Bengal BJP, raised questions about TMC's decision to field Yusuf Pathan and Kirti Azad. Just half an hour before the TMC's list was announced, Abhishek Banerjee was making statements like BJP is anti-Bengal. Now, when the candidates are announced, it's clear that TMC is bringing people from outside. I don't know if Kirti Azad and Yusuf Pathan are Bengali, Yusuf Pathan is from Gujarat, and so is PM Modi, but for them, PM Modi is an outsider, he said. The list was announced by Abhishek Banerjee at Brigade Parade ground on Sunday. Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Diamond Harbour. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in the Winter session last year has been given a ticket from Krishnanagar constituency. Meanwhile, Mukut Mani Adhikari who recently quit the Bharatiya Janata Party has also been given a ticket from Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat. Shatrughan Sinha is set to again contest from Asansol, a seat he had won earlier in 2022 bypoll. TMC has fielded Jagadish C Basuniya from Cooch Behar, Prakash Chik Baraik from Alipurduar, Nirmal Ch Roy from Jalpaiguri, Gopal Lama from Darjeeling. Krishna Kalyani has been fielded from Raiganj whereas Biplab Mitra and Prasun Banerjee will contest from Balurghat and Malda Uttar respectively. On the announcement of the candidates, Trinamool Congress said that the ruling party in Bengal will stand with the common people as part of its committment. Under the leadership of Chairperson @MamataOfficial, we're pleased to announce the names of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. We are steadfast in our commitment to stand by the common people against the deprivation of the Central Govt. When it comes to confronting the @BJP4India jomidars head-on and responding in the language they understand best, the Twin Flower is people's only choice!, TMC posted on X. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who was also sharing the stage when the list was released, asserted that her party will contest elections in multiple states in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. TMC will contest the election against BJP, Congress, and CPM in West Bengal. TMC will fight alone here in Bengal. TMC will also fight in Assam, Uttar Pradesh. For one seat, there has been a discussion with Samajwadi leader Akhilesh Yadav. We will also fight in Meghalaya, she said. The party also announced to field Shahnawaz Ali Raihan from Malda Dakshin. From Jangipur, Khalilur Rahman has been given the ticket to contest the polls. Abu Taher Khan has also been given a ticket from Murshidabad, Biswajit Das from Bongaon and Partha Bhowmick from Barrackpore. TMC leader Saugata Roy is set to contest from Dum Dum, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar from Barasat, Haji Nurul Islam from Basirhat, and Pratima Mondal has been given a ticket from Joynagar constituency. From Mathurapur, Bapi Halder will contest whereas Saayoni Ghosh has been fielded from the Jadavpur seat. Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary (Communications), Jairam Ramesh expressed his dissatisfaction and said that a unilateral announcement should not have been made by the TMC. The Indian National Congress has always maintained that it wants a respectable seat-sharing formula with the TMC in West Bengal. It means mutual negotiations, give and take, some compromise. We have always said that our doors are open for negotiations and seat-sharing talks but there should be no unilateral announcement of the seats, we should do it collectively together as we have done in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, and so on, Jairam Ramesh said. The TMC has announced, I don't know what pressure was there on the TMC but as far as we are concerned we want to strengthen the INDIA alliance in West Bengal. So let's see what happens, he added. The ruling party also fielded Mala Roy from Kolkata Dakshin, Sudip Bandhopadhyay from Kolkata Uttar and Prasun Banerjee from Howrah. Meanwhile, Sajda Ahmed will contest from Uluberia, Kalyan Banerjee from Serampore, Rachana Banerjee from Hooghly and Mitali Bag from Arambagh seat. TMC further announced that Debangshu Bhattacharya will contest from Tamluk, Uttam Barik from Kanthi , Deepak Adhikari (Dev) from Ghatal, Kalipada Soren from Jhargram and June Malia from Medinipur. From Purulia, Shantiram Mahato has been fielded whereas Arup Chakrabarty will contest from Bankura. Sujata Mondal from Bishnupur, Dr Sharmila Sarkar from Bardhaman Purba , Asit Kumar Mal from Bolpur and Satabdi Roy from Birbhum have also been given a ticket by TMC. The Trinamool Congress kicked off the campaign for the upcoming elections through its show of strength. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats. The Congress won the remaining two seats.In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
Won't let anyone among you go to detention center...: Mamata Banerjee on NRC implementation
Won't let anyone among you go to detention center...: Mamata Banerjee on NRC implementation Assuring the people of West Bengal of vehemently opposing the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday that she won't let anyone to the detention center. She also slammed the BJP for the situation in Manipur. Addressing the crowd at Brigade Parade ground, Banerjee asserted, Before the elections, they (BJP) will promise to implement CAA... After the elections, they (BJP) will take everything from you and try to drive you out of Bengal. But we (TMC) will provide you shelter, we won't let anyone among you go to the detention center. We (TMC) won't allow NRC to be implemented. Banerjee also criticized the BJP's handling of the situation in Manipur, stating, In Bengal, people continue to arrive regardless of the circumstances. What was the BJP's response when Manipur was burning? How many BJP leaders went there? How many BJP leaders extended assistance to the woman who was paraded naked? The West Bengal CM further asserted that her party will contest elections in multiple states in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. TMC will contest the election against BJP, Congress, and CPM in West Bengal. TMC will fight alone here in Bengal. TMC will also fight in Assam, Uttar Pradesh. For one seat, there has been a discussion with Samajwadi leader Akhilesh Yadav. We will also fight in Meghalaya, she said. The Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal for the upcoming general elections. The list was announced by the party at Brigade Parade ground on Sunday. The ruling party in Bengal sprung a surprise by fielding former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan from Berhampore constituency. Another former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad will contest from Bardhaman Durgapur. Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Diamond Harbour. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in the Winter session last year has been given a ticket from Krishnanagar constituency. Meanwhile, Mukut Mani Adhikari who recently quit the Bharatiya Janata Party has also been given ticket from Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat. Shatrughan Sinha is set to again contest from Asansol, a seat he had won earlier in 2022 bypoll. TMC has fielded Jagadish C Basuniya from Cooch Behar, Prakash Chik Baraik from Alipurduar, Nirmal Ch Roy from Jalpaiguri, Gopal Lama from Darjeeling. Krishna Kalyani has been fielded from Raiganj whereas Biplab Mitra and Prasun Banerjee will contest from Balurghat and Malda Uttar respectively. The party also announced to field of Shahnawaz Ali Raihan from Malda Dakshin. From Jangipur, Khalilur Rahman has been given the ticket to contest the polls. Abu Taher Khan has also been given ticket from Murshidabad, Biswajit Das from Bongaon and Partha Bhowmick from Barrackpore. TMC leader Saugata Roy is set to contest from Dum Dum, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar from Barasat, Haji Nurul Islam from Basirhat, and Pratima Mondal has been given ticket from Joynagar constituency. From Mathurapur, Bapi Halder will contest whereas Saayoni Ghosh has been fielded from Jadavpur seat. The ruling party also fielded Mala Roy from Kolkata Dakshin, Sudip Bandhopadhyay from Kolkata Uttar and Prasun Banerjee from Howrah. Meanwhile, Sajda Ahmed will contest from Uluberia, Kalyan Banerjee from Serampore, Rachana Banerjee from Hooghly and Mitali Bag from Arambagh seat. TMC further announced that Debangshu Bhattacharya will contest from Tamluk, Uttam Barik from Kanthi , Deepak Adhikari (Dev) from Ghatal, Kalipada Soren from Jhargram and June Malia from Medinipur. From Purulia, Shantiram Mahato has been fielded whereas Arup Chakrabarty will contest from Bankura. Sujata Mondal from Bishnupur, Dr Sharmila Sarkar from Bardhaman Purba , Asit Kumar Mal from Bolpur and Satabdi Roy from Birbhum have also been given a ticket by TMC. The Trinamool Congress kicked off the campaign for the upcoming elections through its show of strength. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats. The Congress won the remaining two seats.In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
TMC to go solo in Bengal; releases candidate list for 42 LS seats, 7 MPs dropped
TMC to go solo in Bengal; releases candidate list for 42 LS seats, 7 MPs dropped The TMC on Sunday ended speculations of a possible seat adjustment with the Congress in Bengal by unveiling its candidate list for all 42 Lok Sabha seats, marking a significant overhaul by replacing seven sitting MPs and introducing several new faces, including former cricketer Yusuf Pathan. The Trinamool Congress maintained a harmonious blend of experienced leaders and fresh talent, amid the alleged power tussle between the old guards and the next-gen leaders. Facing political heat over the incidents in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders surfaced, the party brought in former MP Haji Nurul Islam replacing actor Nusrat Jahan in the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, where the trouble-torn area is situated. While 16 of 23 sitting MPs were retained, the TMC opted not to re-nominate seven incumbents and notably excluded BJP defector Arjun Singh from Barrackpore, who joined the TMC two years ago. Among the new faces are 12 women candidates. Additionally, out of the 26 new candidates, 11 are entirely new to the political arena. Additionally, a Rajya Sabha MP and nine MLAs, including two state ministers Partha Bhowmick and Biplab Mitra, have been thrust into the Lok Sabha battle. Addressing a rally at Brigade Parade Grounds here, Banerjee announced the party would contest the polls in Bengal ''alone''. ''We will contest the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal alone and will fight the Congress, BJP, and the CPI(M). We will also contest in Assam and Meghalaya. We are in talks with Akhilesh Yadav (of SP) for contesting one seat in UP,'' she said. While speaking about bringing in fresh faces and dropping sitting MPs, the TMC supremo said, ''I have fielded candidates, some people were dropped. Those who have not been re-nominated will be accommodated during the assembly polls.'' Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan has been nominated from Baharampur, historically a stronghold of state Congress chief and five-term MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. ''I'm eternally grateful to Smt. @MamataOfficial for welcoming me into the TMC family and trusting me with the responsibility to become the people's voice in the Parliament. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to uplift the poor and deprived, and that is what I hope to achieve,'' Pathan posted on X. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year in cash for a query case, has been reaffirmed as the party's candidate from Krishnanagar. Film star-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who won the Asansol seat in a bypoll on a TMC ticket in 2022, has been re-nominated. Kirti Azad, a former cricketer and party leader, has been nominated from Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency, previously lost to the BJP in 2019. Notably, among the nine MLAs nominated for the polls, BJP defectors Biswajit Das and Mukutmani Adhikari will contest from Bongaon and Ranaghat, strongholds of the Matua community, which the TMC lost to the BJP in 2019. Another BJP defector Krishna Kalyani, will be contesting from Raiganj seat in North Bengal, bagged by the BJP in 2019. Party's Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik will take on Union minister and BJP MP Nisith Pramanik from Cooch Behar. Interestingly, the party has replaced candidates in all the eight seats in North Bengal, which it lost to the BJP and the Congress in 2019. The BJP secured seven seats, while the Congress won one seat in North Bengal in the last LS polls. The TMC has also struck a balance between experienced leaders and new blood, with three-term MPs Sudip Bandopadhyay, Sougata Roy, Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar being re-nominated from their respective seats of North Kolkata, Dum Dum, Birbhum, Serampore and Barasat. The party has also introduced fresh faces like Saayoni Ghosh, Debangshu Bhattacharya, Gopal Lama, MLA June Maliah, Bapi Haldar, and actress Rachana Banerjee from the seats of Jadavpur, Tamluk, a stronghold of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Darjeeling and Medinipur. Bhattacharya, a party spokesperson and youth leader, gained instant fame during the 2021 assembly polls by coining the slogan and the song ''Khela Hobe'', which went on to become a template for the party campaign against the BJP. TMC MPs of Kanthi and Tamluk, Sisir Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari, whose names did not feature in the candidate list, have been maintaining a distance from the party after their family member Suvendu Adhikari joined the saffron camp in December 2020. Additionally, Sujata Mondal Khan has been fielded from the Bishnupur seat against her ex-husband and sitting BJP MP Saumitra Khan. Former IPS officer Prasun Banerjee, who recently resigned, will contest from Malda North to reclaim the seat from the BJP. Apart from Pathan, the party has fielded four other political greenhorns in the Lok Sabha polls including actor Rachana Banerjee, Padma Shri awardee and Santhali playwright Kalipada Soren, noted psychiatrist Sharmila Sarkar and Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, a PhD scholar of Oxford University. Rachana Banerjee will be pitted against BJP's sitting MP Locket Chatterjee from Hooghly, where the Singur area, known for anti-land acquisition protests against the erstwhile Left regime, is situated. However, Arjun Singh, whose name did not feature in the candidate list, considered it as a blessing of Mamata Banerjee. ''I consider it as a blessing of Mamata Banerjee. However, when I re-joined the TMC from the BJP in 2022, I was told that I would be re-nominated from Barrackpore,'' he said. Reacting to candidature of Pathan from Baharampur, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said it was an attempt to divide Muslim votes. The BJP, which wondered whether the TMC couldn't find its own candidates, said the candidate list is full of ''bohiragatos (outsiders)'' - coinage used by TMC to attack BJP leaders. ''Pathan, TMC's Baharampur candidate, is from Baroda in Gujarat or West Bengal? TMC list is full of what Mamata Banerjee calls 'Bohiragotos'. Shame on her divisive politics, which is holding back West Bengal,'' BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X.
Grateful to Mamata Banerjee for trusting me with responsibility to become people's voice in Parliament: Yusuf Pathan Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan extended gratitude to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after Trinamool Congress announced his candidature from the Berhampore Lok Sabha seat for the upcoming polls. Yusuf Pathan said that it is the duty of the representatives of the people to uplift the deprived sections of society. I'm eternally grateful to Mamata Banerjee for welcoming me into the TMC family and trusting me with the responsibility to become people's voice in the Parliament. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to uplift the poor and deprived, and that is what I hope to achieve, Yusuf Pathan posted on X. Reacting to the announcement of the candidates, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar questioned the TMC's decision to field Yusuf Pathan and Kirti Azad. Just half an hour before the TMC's list was announced, Abhishek Banerjee was making statements like BJP is anti-Bengal. Now, when the candidates are announced, it's clear that TMC is bringing people from outside. I don't know if Kirti Azad and Yusuf Pathan are Bengali, Yusuf Pathan is from Gujarat, and so is PM Modi, but for them, PM Modi is an outsider, he said. Currently, the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury represents Berhampore constituency in the Lower House. Earlier, TMC announced its candidates at the Brigade Parade ground on Sunday. The party has fielded candidates on all 42 Lok Sabha seats. Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Diamond Harbour. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in the Winter session last year has been given a ticket from Krishnanagar constituency. Meanwhile, Mukut Mani Adhikari who recently quit the Bharatiya Janata Party has also been given a ticket from Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat. Shatrughan Sinha is set to again contest from the Asansol Lok Sabha seat, a seat he had won earlier in the 2022 bypoll. On the announcement of the candidates, Trinamool Congress said that the ruling party in Bengal will stand with the common people as part of its committment. Under the leadership of Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, we're pleased to announce the names of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. We are steadfast in our commitment to stand by the common people against the deprivation of the Central Govt. When it comes to confronting the BJP jomidars head-on and responding in the language they understand best, the Twin Flower is people's only choice!, TMC posted on X. Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary (Communications), Jairam Ramesh expressed his dissatisfaction and said that a unilateral announcement should not have been made by the TMC. The Indian National Congress has always maintained that it wants a respectable seat-sharing formula with the TMC in West Bengal. It means mutual negotiations, give and take, some compromise. We have always said that our doors are open for negotiations and seat-sharing talks but there should be no unilateral announcement of the seats, we should do it collectively together as we have done in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, and so on, Jairam Ramesh said. The TMC has announced, I don't know what pressure was there on the TMC but as far as we are concerned we want to strengthen the INDIA alliance in West Bengal. So let's see what happens, he added. In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats. The Congress won the remaining two seats.In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh praises strong first list for Lok Sabha Elections
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh praises strong first list for Lok Sabha Elections Congress MP Jairam Ramesh expressed confidence in the release of Congress's list for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, stating, It's a strong list. It's a strong list. But it's just the first one. There will be more lists. We release lists according to a set procedure, unlike the BJP where two people decide. Their (BJP) candidate from Asansol was changed and a similar thing happened in UP. We don't do like this we have a specific manner and procedure, Jairam Ramesh said. The BJP candidate who withdrew his candidature from West Bengal's Asansol was a popular Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh. On March 3, a day after being named the BJP's candidate, Taking to his official handle on X, the singer confirmed that he was pulling out of the contest due to some reason. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the top leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party. The party trusted me and declared me as the candidate from West Bengal's Asansol but due to some reason, I will not be able to contest the elections from Asansol, Singh posted from his X handle on Sunday. Earlier, the Congress released its first list of 39 candidates for Lok Sabha elections on Friday with party General Secretary KC Venugopal asserting that his party's priority is to win the maximum number of Lok Sabha seats. The names have been announced for Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshwadeep, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tripura. Of the total 39 candidates announced, 16 are from Kerala, seven from Karnataka and six from Chhattisgarh, four are from Telangana. Two from Meghalaya and one each from Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and Lakshwadeep. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal informed that senior party leader Rahul Gandhi will again contest from the Wayanad constituency, the seat won by him in 2019. The list of 39 candidates was released after the party held its Central Election Committee meeting on Thursday. (ANI)
Anurag Thakur is unable to understand democratic system: Nana Patole
Anurag Thakur is unable to understand democratic system: Nana Patole Responding to the remarks made by Union Minister Anurag Thakur that the Congress will get its farewell from Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Thursday said that the time will decide on who will get farewell, adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party should look upon themselves as their own candidates are running away from contesting Lok Sabha polls. Hitting out at Anurag Thakur, Nana Patole said that it seems that the Union Minister is unable to understand the democratic system. Let the elections approach. Two of their candidates from Uttar Pradesh have already run away. The process of farewell has been started by their own candidates after they ran away. It seems that he is unable to understand the democratic system, Patole told reporters in Mumbai. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate Upendra Singh Rawat on Monday announced that he would not contest any elections until proven innocent in a case where an alleged 'obscene' video involving him went viral on social media platforms. Upendra Singh Rawat, who is currently representing Barabanki in the Lok Sabha, was again fielded by the BJP to contest from the same constituency in the upcoming General elections. Similarly, a popular Bhojpuri singer, Pawan Singh, withdrew from the race for the Lok Sabha. BJP had fielded him from the Asansol seat. Earlier today, highlighting the fading influence of the Nehru-Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh, Thakur said, The big state like UP had given votes to four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family, and today no one is listening to them in UP. The Nehru-Gandhi family has bid farewell to UP, so it's natural to be frustrated and disappointed. In a veiled jibe at the INDIA bloc, Anurag Thakur said, Overall, the alliance is a 'Thugbandhan'. Congress and its allies are habitually criticizing religious places. Sometimes insulting Lord Rama, sometimes talking about crushing Sanatana Dharma, and sometimes talking about dividing North and South. What kind of thinking do Congress and its allies have? he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an attack on the Congress party's dynastic politics on Tuesday and said that unlike the opposition alliance, which believes in putting family first, he puts the country first and everything that he does is for the welfare of the nation. (ANI)
Why BJP Candidate In Bengal's Asansol Dropped Out Rajnath Singh Says...
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today gave an insight into the BJP's view on what is not acceptable in a candidate if the person wants to contest the Lok Sabha election with the party's ticket.
Why BJP Candidate In Bengal's Asansol Dropped Out. Rajnath Singh Says...
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today gave an insight into the BJP's view on what is not acceptable in a candidate if the person wants to contest the Lok Sabha election with the party's ticket.
Shatrughan Sinha Criticizes BJP's Handling of Ram Mandir Publicity
Kolkata: Bollywood actor-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the publicity surrounding the Ram Mandir, noting a significant drop in visitors after the Pran Pratishtha on January 22. Speaking at a public gathering in Asansol, West Bengal, Sinha remarked on the BJP's grandiose portrayal of the temple, even before its completion. Expressing disappointment, Sinha highlighted the diminishing number of visitors, stating that initially, around five lakh people visited the temple, followed by a decrease to three lakh, and then two lakh. He noted a further decline to just a few thousand visitors. Sinha questioned the BJP's actions, particularly emphasizing the absence of Shankaracharyas and the incomplete status of the temple. He accused the BJP of prioritizing publicity over addressing pressing issues like the ongoing farmer protests. In response, the BJP labeled Sinha a liar. Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP's National Information and Technology Department, denounced Sinha's remarks and accused him of defamation and spreading falsehoods about Lord Ram. Malviya refuted Sinha's claims, stating that over 50 lakh people visited Ayodhya for Lord Ram's darshan in the first month, with numbers steadily increasing. He projected an annual visitation of over five crore devotees, surpassing the numbers received by Mecca and Vatican. Malviya further defended the inclusive nature of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, asserting that people from all walks of life, regardless of wealth, caste, or denomination, participated. He questioned whether the people of Asansol would tolerate someone who disparages and spreads lies about Lord Ram. The exchange between Sinha and the BJP underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Ram Mandir issue and its implications for electoral politics. PM Modi Inaugurates 17-Kilometer Extension of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Accuses PM Modi of Misleading Claims on Fund Allocation Jairam Ramesh Highlights Rahul Gandhi's 'Nyay' Vision
Ram Mandir was already there: TMC's Shatrughan Sinha in Asansol
Ram Mandir was already there: TMC's Shatrughan Sinha in Asansol Days after Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh withdrew his candidacy from the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha asserted that the Ram Mandir already existed in Ayodhya, adding that BJP did Pran Pratishtha in an incomplete temple. They (BJP) have spent so much money for darshan in the temple. The temple was already there. Was Pran Pratishtha not done earlier? The temple was small. You (PM Modi) have only magnified it and that too, you also did Pran Pratishtha in an incomplete temple, Sinha said speaking at a public meeting at Asansol on Tuesday. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's electoral assurances, the actor-turned-politician at a public gathering in Asansol said, PM Modi keeps talikng on giving guarantees. First, fulfil whatever guarantees you have given. You used to speak about inflation earlier. Today, inflation has risen to such an extent that it is at a 60-year high. Whether it is price of oil, fruits, vegetables or other edible items. On PM Modi's poll promise of providing jobs to youths, the TMC MP from Asansol said, They had said that when they come to power, the youth in the country will be empowered. They had said that they would give two crore jobs every year. Where is the guarantee? The young generation is more than 60 per cent of the total demography today and among them, 60 per cent are unemployed. Imagine the frustration among them. Youth are committing suicide. And they are diverting people's attention from real issues and sticking to temples and mosques, Sinha said. Sinha also hit out at the Prime Minister for promising to double farmers income by 2022. What happened to your guarantee that farmer's incomes will double by 2022? People are saying let alone 'double', even what was 'single' is not achievable today. Farmers' income today are only Rs 27-28 per day per person, the TMC leader said. (ANI)
Ram Mandir was already there: TMCs Shatrughan Sinha in Asansol
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BJP National President JP Nadda resigns as Rajya Sabha MP
BJP National President JP Nadda resigns as Rajya Sabha MP JP Nadda, national president of the BJP and representative for Himachal Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, tendered his official resignation from his position as Rajya Sabha MP on Monday. The chairman of the Rajya Sabha has accepted his resignation. Jagat Prakash Nadda, an elected Member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), representing the State of Himachal Pradesh, resigned his seat in the Rajya Sabha and his resignation has been accepted by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha w.e.f. 4th March, 2024, as per an official statement from the Rajya Sabha. Another leader, popular Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh withdrew from the race for the Lok Sabha, a day after being named the BJP's candidate from Bengal's Asansol constituency. Taking to his official handle on X, the singer confirmed that he was pulling out of the contest due to some reason. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the top leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party. The party trusted me and declared me as the candidate from West Bengal's Asansol but due to some reason, I will not be able to contest the elections from Asansol, Singh posted from his X handle on Sunday. On Sunday, veteran Trinamool Congress leader and Baranagar MLA Tapas Roy resigned from the party, citing a lack of respect within the party as his reason. There are several reasons (for resignation). The reasons include various scams, the Sandeshkhali incident and insults. Last but not least, immediately after January 12, the ED raided my flat. Nobody from the party came forward to give a statement or take the pains to talk to my family. So I am really sad...The ED was not sent to my house by the BJP. Sudip Banerjee had sent the ED because he is afraid, frightened and jealous of me... he said. Setting the pace ahead of its rivals, the BJP, on Saturday, released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The list included 47 youth candidates, 28 women candidates, 27 Scheduled Caste (SC) faces, 18 Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates and 57 OBC/Backward Class nominees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third straight term in the Lower House from Varanasi while Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined the BJP from the Congress in 2020, will contest from Guna in Madhya Pradesh. Of the 195 candidates, 34 are ministers from the Center and States, while two are former chief ministers who are on the list. Home Minister Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, while Mansukh Mandaviya will contest Porbandar. BJP leader Manoj Tiwari will contest from North-East Delhi while late BJP stalwart and former Union Minister, Sushma Swaraj's daughter, Bansuri Swaraj, will contest from New Delhi. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will seek a fresh term in the Lok Sabha from Lucknow while his colleague in the central cabinet, Smriti Irani, will again contest from Amethi. Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi secured a victory in Varanasi with 6,74,664 against Congress's Ajay Rai. The BJP-led National Democratic Party (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
BJP's Asansol candidate Pawan Singh withdraws from Lok Sabha race amid backlash
BJPs Asansol candidate Pawan Singh withdraws from Lok Sabha race amid backlash
Pawan Singh's Meeting with BJP Leadership in New Delhi
NewDelhi: Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh held a meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda in New Delhi on Monday. Singh had requested the meeting with Nadda after 11:30 am. This development came a day after the Bhojpuri star declined to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from the Asansol seat, despite being named in the BJP's initial list of 195 candidates. Taking to his official social media handle, the singer confirmed his decision to withdraw from the contest, citing personal reasons. Although he did not elaborate on the specifics of his decision, Singh's nomination had faced criticism from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which objected to some of his songs for their alleged vulgarity and derogatory portrayal of women. Asansol constituency holds significant importance due to its substantial migrant population, and the BJP had hoped that Singh's candidacy would pose a strong challenge to Trinamool's incumbent MP Babul Supriyo. Reports suggest that the BJP encouraged Singh to step back from the electoral race to quell the controversy surrounding his nomination, especially amid the party's focus on issues such as the Sandeshkhali incident, where several women accused suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates of sexual assault and land grabbing. Former BJP MP from Asansol and current TMC minister, Babul Supriyo, questioned the BJP's decision to nominate Singh without consulting him and alleged pressure from the party as the reason for Singh's withdrawal from the contest. In other news, the BJP announced its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday, featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will contest again from Varanasi. The list also includes prominent leaders such as Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Smriti Irani, along with former chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Biplab Deb, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who will contest again from Kota in Rajasthan. Uddhav Thackeray Expresses Surprise Over Nitin Gadkari's Exclusion from BJP's Lok Sabha Candidate List Discontent Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh Meets Congress Leadership in Delhi Delhi Government's Budget for 2024-25 Prioritizes Every Sector, Says CM Arvind Kejriwal
BJP was never so weak as party: Akhilesh Yadav on candidates withdrawing from Lok Sabha polls
BJP was never so weak as party: Akhilesh Yadav on candidates withdrawing from Lok Sabha polls Amidst announcements by some sitting BJP MPs and a couple of candidates not to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday took a jibe at the ruling party, saying that the ''BJP was never so weak as a party''. In a post on X in Hindi, Yadav said, ''Who would have thought that such days would come for the BJP that some candidates will give up their claim on the pretext of saying that some other work is more important before getting the ticket. ''Someone will talk about going out considering sports as more serious than politics. Someone will write an application to get out of the deciduous BJP on the pretext of environment,'' he said. Yadav further said someone will announce his retirement after getting a ticket. And even after getting a ticket, someone will reject the ticket from a distance on social media due to personal reasons, he said. He added, ''BJP was never so weak as a party. Now apart from the public, even the BJP people themselves are saying, 'Don't want BJP'.'' Former Gujarat deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Patel on Sunday had said that he has withdrawn his claim to contest from Mehsana Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. Patel did not assign any reason for this decision, which he announced on social media, even as the BJP is yet to officially announce the contestant from Mehsana. In a post on social media, Patel said he had staked a claim for Mehsana seat and requested the party to field him as its nominee. He said he is withdrawing his claim before the BJP has come out with the name of the candidate for Mehsana seat. BJP's Asansol candidate Pawan Singh also withdrew his candidature for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Singh withdrew his name on Sunday, a day after the BJP named him as its candidate from the constituency currently represented by TMC's Shatrughan Sinha. In a post on X, Singh thanked the BJP leadership for his candidature but added that he will not be able to contest from Asansol ''due to some reason'', even as he did not specify the reason behind his decision. With the sitting MP Harsh Vardhan's name not figuring from his Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency in the list of candidates announced by the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections, he on Sunday announced bowing out of active politics. In a post on X, Vardhan said he will return to his roots after over 30 years of a ''glorious electoral career''. Looking back at his journey, he said, ''I shall continue to pursue my work against tobacco and substance abuse, against climate change and teaching simple and sustainable lifestyles.'' ''After over thirty years of a glorious electoral career, during which I won all the five assembly and two parliamentary elections that I fought with exemplary margins, and held a multitude of prestigious positions in the party organisation and the governments at the state and centre I finally bow out to return to my roots,'' he said on X. BJP's Lok Sabha MP from East Delhi Gautam Gambhir too on Saturday requested party president JP Nadda to relieve him of political duties so that he can focus on his upcoming cricket commitments. ''I have requested Hon'ble party president J P Nadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!,'' Gambhir had said on X. Former minister and BJP MP from Hazaribagh Jayant Sinha on Saturday expressed desire not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, saying he wants to focus on combating climate change in India and around the world. In a post on X, he said he has ''requested'' party president Nadda to relieve him of ''direct electoral duties'' so he can focus on ''efforts on combating global climate change in Bharat and around the world''. ''Of course, I will continue to work with the party on economic and governance issues,'' he added.
Time Would Tell: BJP's Pawan Singh On Contesting Lok Sabha Polls
Pawan Singh withdrew his name from the Lok Sabha poll contest from Asansol seat in West Bengal on Sunday, a day after the BJP named him as its candidate from the constituency
Time would tell: Pawan Singh on contesting Lok Sabha polls
Time would tell: Pawan Singh on contesting Lok Sabha polls Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh on Monday said ''time would tell'' if he would contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Talking to media after meeting BJP president JP Nadda, Singh, who was to be the BJP candidate from Asansol in West Bengal but announced he would not fight following a backlash over his candidature, evaded questions on what made him take the decision. ''I talked to the party president. Whatever happens in future will be good,'' Singh told media after meeting Nadda. Asked if he would fight in the upcoming elections, he said, ''That only time would tell.'' ''I will share with you if something happens... Keep it on hold for now,'' he said. Singh, however, refused to reply to questions on what prompted him to make the decision. ''It's a matter of time (samay samay ki baat hai),'' he said. Singh withdrew his name from the Lok Sabha poll contest from Asansol seat in West Bengal on Sunday, a day after the BJP named him as its candidate from the constituency currently represented by Trinamool Congress (TMC's) Shatrughan Sinha. In a post on X, Singh thanked the BJP leadership for his candidature but added that he will not be able to contest from Asansol due to some reason, even as he did not specify the reason behind his decision. Singh's candidature had drawn criticism from the TMC, which is in power in West Bengal. It alleged that many of his songs were crude and depicted women, including those from the state, in a vulgar way.
BJPs first list shows why efficiency, attention to detail are its election calling cards. Two BJP candidates launched their campaign yesterday, canvassing with prayers, supporters and graffiti. Another, from Asansol, quit the race just as...
