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Response of Election Commission of India to complaint from TMC over injury to Mamata stated that the letter was full of insinuations and averments

ECI-TMC

Seemingly, the Election Commission of India is getting entangled in the political snafu, in the context of West Bengal election 2021, after the Nandigram incident, where CM Mamata Banerjee was injured.

Responding to the letter sent by Trinamool Congress over the Nandigram incident in which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was injured yesterday, the Election Commission of India said that it was unfortunate that the letter was “full of insinuations and averments”.

“Completely incorrect to suggest that Commission has taken over law and order machinery in the state in the name of conducting elections and appropriated whole governance structure,” the poll body said, adding that the incident was “indeed unfortunate” and needs to be inquired into with “promptitude and dispatch”.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

The poll body’s response comes after TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee held it responsible for the lapse in security of Mamata. A TMC delegation of Derek O’Brian, Chandrima Bhattacharya and Partha Chatterjee submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry, complying with the Election Commission’s orders, will mask pictures of Modi on vaccine certificates in poll-bound states. Earlier this month, the ECI had asked the Union Government to stop using PM’s picture on Covid-19 vaccination certificates in states headed for Assembly elections, following a complaint by the Trinamool Congress.

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

Preliminary medical tests conducted on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee late on Wednesday night detected severe bone injuries in her left ankle and foot, and injuries in the right shoulder, forearm and neck, a senior doctor of the state-run SSKM hospital said.

Trinamool Congress had slammed the Election Commission for failing to provide security to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was injured during election campaign in Nandigram, and said that the ECI cannot shun responsibility as it is in charge of law and order situation in the poll-bound West Bengal.

In a video message, Mamata urged people to remain calm and said that she will return to election campaigning in the next two to three days. Mamata said that she will use wheelchair for campaigning if needed.

Meanwhile, the Congress has released the list of 25 constituencies, where they will be contesting in the upcoming assembly election in Tamil Nadu. Out of the 25, the grand old party will face the BJP directly in five seats.

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Abhishek Banerjee cautions BJP to brace for May 02 result after Mamata was allegedly attacked

Abhishek Banerjee

Battleground for West Bengal election is getting ready gradually with the most important electoral collision set to be taking place in Nandigram.

West Bengal Chief Minister & TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was seen in hospital with her left leg in a cast in a photo tweeted by her nephew Abhishek Banerjee this morning, a day after she alleged an attack in Nandigram, where she filed her nomination for the state election later this month.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee shared the image with a message targeting the BJP, which has mounted a campaign to try and oust the two-time Chief Minister and her Trinamool Congress from power in Bengal.

“BJP brace yourselves to see the power of people of BENGAL on Sunday, May 2nd. Get ready,” he tweeted.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Cannot divide Nandigram

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after filing her nomination from the Assembly seat had said, “Some people want to divide Nandigram 70-30 (ratio of Hindu, Muslim population), but I need 100 percent support. No one can divide this place along religious lines.”

Accompanied by state TMC chief Subrata Bakshi and local party leaders, Banerjee chief had reached Haldia Sub-Divisional Officer’s office after holding a roadshow that was attended by thousands of her supporters from Nandigram and other parts of Purba Medinipur district.

Exuding confidence of winning the seat, where she will take on her former protege and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Banerjee said, “I have never returned empty-handed from here. Nandigram is not just a name, it is the name of a movement. Bhulte pari sobar naam, bhulbo nako Nandigram (I can forget everyone’s name, but can never forget Nandigram).”

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

The TMC chief filed the nomination papers and her candidature was proposed by Sushma Maity, wife of Bhagirath Maity who had gone missing during the Nandigram agitation, 14 years ago, and Abdul Sammad, a senior leader of Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee that fought against the land acquisition. The other two proposers were Block TMC presidents of Nandigram-I and Nandigram-II, Swadesh Ranjan Das, and Mahadeb Bagh, respectively.

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Politicking over Mantras: Suvendu Adhikari played recording and said that Mamata Banerjee’s renditions of mantras are wrong

Politicking over Mantras

Mamata Banerjee had on Tuesday, recited passages of “Chandi-path” or chants for Goddess Durga and declared, “You cannot teach me Hinduism. I have shown you that I know the mantras to Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali and Durga. It is not how you do it, memorizing some lines before the election and dropping them at meetings.”

In this regard, Mamata Banerjee’s renditions of Hindu chants were mocked  by her one-time aide turned BJP rival Suvendu Adhikari, who slammed the Bengal Chief Minister’s “I am a Hindu girl” comment.

Mamata was speaking at Nandigram, where she faces Suvendu Adhikari as her BJP rival in the election starting March 27.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Mr Adhikari, at a public meeting, came prepared with ammo. He played a recording of the chants and then replayed Mamata Banerjee’s version. “Her Chandi-path was all mangled. Her mantras were wrong.”

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

Mr Adhikari rubbed it in by referring to Yogi Adityanath, the saffron-robed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister who is among the BJP’s star campaigners in Bengal.

“Yogi can chant correct mantras, he should be brought here once to correct Mamata Banerjee’s chants. I want Yogi-ji to come here and do that,” he said.

Also see: Trilateral fight in West Bengal election 2021

Adhikari who had recently thrown “outsider” comment on Mamata, continued his attack on his former boss, accusing her of using “Hindu dharma” for politics. It is worthwhile to note that the Insider vs Outsider debate was launched by TMC to attack BJP, which is trying to make inroads into the state-polity.

Also See: West Bengal 2021: Battleground for BJP and TMC

Mamata Banerjee last week announced that she would give up her Bhowanipore seat and contest from Nandigram, the stronghold of Mr Adhikari, in the Bengal election starting March 27.

After her workers’ rally at Nandigram town, she visited several temples and offered prayers.

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List of candidates announced for 291 of the 294 assembly seats to be contested in the West Bengal polls

West Bengal polls

For the upcoming state election, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced the list of candidates for 291 Assembly seats out of the total 294. The remaining three seats in Darjeeling will be contested by TMC allies, she said. While announcing the candidate list, Mamata said, “Have faith in me, only TMC can take Bengal to new heights.”

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Putting all speculations to rest, the Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee announced that she will contest from Nandigram seat. This sets up the battle of Nandigram between her and in all possibilities, Suvendu Adhikari, who switched to BJP from TMC. “Today, we are releasing a list of 291 candidates which includes 50 women, 42 Muslim candidates. On 3 seats of north Bengal, we are not putting up our candidates. I will contest from Nandigram,” she said.

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

“From Bhowanipore constituency, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay will be contesting in the upcoming assembly elections,” Banerjee added. Bengali film director Raj Chakraborty will contest from Barrackpore, while TMC turncoat Sovan Chatterjee’s estranged wife Ratna Chatterjee has been fielded from Sovan’s seat.

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Bengal election update: In Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari likely to have an electoral face-off with Mamata Banerjee

Mamata-Suv

Political battlelines are drawn for the face-off in West Bengal assembly election 2021. A report on Friday confirmed that Suvendu Adhikari will be fighting polls against Mamata Banerjee from the Nandigram seat. According to a report by India Today, a source confirmed the development following BJP’s central election committee (CEC) meeting yesterday. The meeting was attended by Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda. Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to release the first list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal polls in a day or two. The saffron camp has shortlisted on an average of 4-5 names per seat for the initial two phases of polling in the state.

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

All eyes are set on Nandigram as it will witness a high-profile contest between Adikari and Mamata. Adhikari had earlier asserted that he will defeat his former boss by “at least 50,000 votes” if fielded from the Nandigram constituency.

Adhikari held a key position in the TMC-led West Bengal cabinet and was in charge of the state’s transport, irrigation, and waterways in the Mamata Banerjee government. He, last year, tendered his resignation and switched over to BJP.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

State party chief Dilip Ghosh on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party will definitely win atleast 200 of the total 294 Assembly seats. “We will not get less than 200 (seats). It will definitely be more than 200. We did not begin preparations today, we had started five years back,” said Ghosh. But, if reports of the local Bengali dailies are to be believed, then the BJP-high command are in fact asking the contenders in the various seats in the state, whether they will be able to win, which confirms the assertion made by I-PAC chief Prashant Kishor.

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Mamata Banerjee will score a hat-trick as CM & LDF likely to win the race in Kerala as per opinion poll

Political parties are heading into the campaigning mode for upcoming elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, TN & Puducherry.

In this context, ABP News and C-Voter tried to gauge the mood of the voters. They claim that the situation is in favour of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, though the saffron camp is likely to see a better prospect.

The Congress is expected to receive a big jolt in Assam, according to ABP-C-Voter opinion poll. Here is a look at the results of the pre-poll survey:

West Bengal: Looking at the trends, TMC supremo-Banerjee will score a hat-trick in the Assembly election, according to the opinion poll. The ABP-C-Voter poll said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is likely to get 148-164 seats in the 294-member Assembly.

Also see: Trilateral fight in West Bengal election 2021

The BJP, meanwhile, can get 92-108 seats, the opinion poll further said. There is bad news for the Congress and left Front, which ruled the state for more than three decades.

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

The Left-Congress alliance may get 31-39 seats, according to ABP-C-Voter poll.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Puducherry: The Congress is likely to receive a big setback in the union territory, the opinion poll said. The BJP will be able to form the government in Puducherry by winning 17-21 of the 30 seats, said ABP-C-Voter. The Congress tally is likely to shrink to 12, it further said.

Kerala: The Left government is expected to survive in Kerala, the opinion poll said. It predicted that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by CPI(M) is expected to get 83-91 of the 140 seats. On the other hand, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) may get anywhere between 47-55 seats in the upcoming assembly election. The BJP may barely get two seats, the ABP-C-Voter opinion poll said.

Assam: The BJP-led alliance is likely to retain power in the state, the ABP-C-Voter survey said. Out of the state’s 126 seats, the opinion poll predicted 68-76 seats and 42 per cent vote share for the BJP, and 43-51 seats and 31 percent vote share for Congress-led alliance. The others may get 5-10 seats in the state.

Tamil Nadu: MK Stalin led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) can return to power in Tamil Nadu, the ABP-C-Voter opinion poll has predicted.

Also Read: MS Aiyar speaks of a strong walkover for Congress-DMK against a very divided AIADMK

The DMK is likely to get 154-162 of the state’s 234 seats, whereas the ruling AIADMK 58-66, the survey further predicted. In terms of vote share, the DMK is expected to get 41 percent whereas AIADMK 29 percent.

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Sahaganj rally-BJP labels the daughters and wives as coal-thieves, said Mamata Banerjee terming the saffron party as a bunch of rats

Within 24 hours of the CBI-team entering Abhishek Banerjee’s house, TMC supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appeared at a public meeting in Sahaganj, (Chinsurah) Hooghly near the Ranangdehi statue. Her main message at the rally was that the BJP is hurting the security of the housewives & women in general. Without naming Rujira Bandyopadhyay, she fired at the BJP from the Sahaganj-rally on the same day, stating, “The BJP labels the housewives and daughters as coal-thieves.”

Also Read: West Bengal is a tough battlefield for BJP-an overview from historical, cultural & economic standpoints

At the rally in Sahaganj, CM Banerjee further said, “The BJP is calling the Trinamool Congress, a party of extortionists, but where did the money of the banknotes go? Why is Coal India being sold? Why are rail cells being sold?” In a tone of caustic allegation, Mamata further said referring the BJP leaders, “You are the ones who are squandering crores of rupees. You are calling the TMC as extortionists, (more specifically tolaabaaj in Bengali) but you yourselves are a bunch of rioters.”

On the same day, the CM was heard repeatedly voicing the slogan ‘Khela hobe’-which means-‘there will be a game’.

She said, “Everyone is pulled by Bengal, by its food & by its soil. I myself had been involved in student politics. What do you say, Ladies? Will there be a game? There will be only one game in the election of 2021. Let me say that, there will be Trinamool Congress on one side and the rest on the other. I will be the goalkeeper. Let us see who scores the goals. All of the kicks (by BJP) will go over the bar.”

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

There is a known friction between the BJP-led centre and the TMC-led state government over the industrial policy. On this, CM Banerjee said, “We were not allowed to acquire Dunlop. He (Modi) did not do anything himself & he did not let us do anything either. And he came to Dunlop and just gave big talks. BJP leaders live in the house of the owner of Dunlop. You, BJP leaders are all greedy & racketeers. You (BJP men) are like a bunch of rats.”

She further added, “You (BJP men) do not know how to respect women & girls. Women are not safe in BJP-camp. So, I urge the people to not send women to that party. Trinamool knows how to respect mothers and sisters.” She also put forth a rhetoric while volleying another criticism, “What did Modi give? Everyday, he is playing dugdugi(damru) of lies.”

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee also warned everyone that BJP is making fake videos and movies and spreading lies. At the rally, she asked all not to believe anyone from the BJP & the (one-sided) narrative peddled by the saffron camp as they are all fake.

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West Bengal election 2021- Meal schemes initiated by TMC and Left in preparation for the upcoming assembly election in West Bengal

West Bengal government is set to provide meals

In the run-up to the first major state assembly elections in India, the West Bengal government is set to provide meals at a nominal cost of ₹5. The scheme (Maa Scheme) of meals will be launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday.

The “Maa” scheme gets its name from TMC’s slogan of “Ma, Mati, Manush (Mother, soil, people)”. “Initially, Maa scheme would be launched in Kolkata where 16 common kitchens have been set up. The meal would comprise rice, dal, a vegetable, and egg and would be served at ₹5 per plate. The food would be available at a fixed time,” said a senior official of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

The scheme would gradually be extended to other towns and cities in the state. The state government has already allocated a budget for this.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Earlier, the TMC had started a community kitchen, “Didir Rannaghar” (Mamata’s kitchen) to support migrant workers who were hit due to job losses due to the Covid19 pandemic.

The CPI (M) too had started a few hundred “Sramojibi canteen” (community kitchen) to serve vegetarian food to the poor. The party had also initiated 50 health clinics and safe houses for those who cannot afford healthcare facilities.

Also See: West Bengal 2021: Battleground for BJP and TMC

Even in schools, closed during the pandemic, while mid-day meals were not served, the state government continued to provide ration to the students’ families.

The state assembly elections are due in March–April this year. The BJP which is trying to make inroads in the state through taking in disaffected members away from TMC now poses a challenge to the ruling TMC.  In its desperation for the West Bengal election, it had asked many leaders in TMC including Chhatradhar Mahato, to switch over to the saffron camp. Many leaders have defected to BJP, which has been termed as dirt-cleaning by many TMC leaders, who remain confident of victory in the upcoming state polls. But, on the farcical side of the BJP-story, local leaders of BJP in Bengal like Dilip Ghosh, and their families are known to be taking benefits from the state government schemes formulated by TMC like Swasthya Sathi card, the very policies which they criticize.

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Steps taken by Mamata Banerjee government in the area of employment generation

EMPLYMENT

The state government in West Bengal, led by TMC under Mamata Banerjee has generally kept a focus on the balance between agriculture & industry as these are the two prime pillars of employment generation.

The provision of training to youth has been institutionalized under the state government in West Bengal. For this, training in ITIs and polytechnic colleges has been taken up over the years.

For any kind of work, or business, personal transportation forms a crucial part. In this regard, the Gatidhara scheme provides loans to youths to buy vehicles, whether it is taxis or mini trucks or anything else.

In the backdrop of the lockdown due to the outbreak of the Covid19, the Hawker Support Scheme 2020 was launched to provide assistance to the hawkers who lost the chances to earn their daily income due to the halt in public transportation and public movement.

There is another scheme under the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal known as the Yuvasree or the Yuva Utsaha Prakalpa. This scheme is meant to provide employment assistance to the unemployed youth in terms of increasing their employment ability and relevant skills.

There is a scheme by the name of Lokprasar Prakalpa under the state government in West Bengal. The target of this scheme is to revive and showcase the different folk music forms of West Bengal. A unique project named-Lok Prasar Prakalpa has spread its wings across various regions in the state. It transforms the folk-music into an asset which helps in generating employment.

Utkarsh Bangla is another policy of the West Bengal government. It is a flagship Scheme for the entire non-institutional, non-project mode, short term skill development interventions to provide wage/ self-employment linked skills training to the residents of the state of West Bengal. Under the Utkarsh Bangla scheme, vocational training is provided to school-dropouts, which makes them a functional part of the workforce.

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Twelve hour bandh called by Left Front chairman Biman Bose- what all you need to know

Bengal Bandh

A 12-hour state-wide bandh from 6 am to 6 pm was called on Friday by the Left Front leader (chairman) Biman Bose in West Bengal, protesting against the police action on several Left and Congress activists on Thursday. Many Left and Congress activists were injured during the clash with the police, on Thursday, when they were marching towards the state secretariat at Nabanna in Kolkata, with certain demands, including that of jobs. The march had started in College Street but was stopped by police on SN Banerjee Road in the Esplanade area. The Left and Congress leaders and their associates stated that the use of force by police was both brutal and unprecedented.

Also see: Trilateral fight in West Bengal election 2021

When the police tried to stop the march in Central Kolkata, clashes broke out, and the agitating party workers tried to break the barricades. The police resorted to firing tear gas shells, using water cannons to disperse the activists, while the activists responded with stones and sticks.

After the crackdown, the police had rescued the injured and rushed them to hospital. CPM leader Md Salim claimed that 500 protesters were injured. The police said that about 20 were injured. According to Md Salim (CPM), the Congress and the Indian Secular Front, recently founded by Pirzada Abbas Siddique of Furfura Sharif, are backing the 12-hour bandh.

As Left workers blocked roads at severe places in the state, traffic disruptions were reported. The Left party workers during the bandh have blocked the train track at Kanchrapara railway station.

Workers from Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have blocked Ghosh Para Road in Shyamnagar. Life across the state has been hit partially.

Also See: West Bengal 2021: Battleground for BJP and TMC

Chief Minister & TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee has cancelled all leaves following the announcement of the bandh.  In a bid to resist the bandh, the state government has made attendance in government offices mandatory.

The bandh has been called after discussions with the Left Front constituents and the Congress, which have stitched an alliance for the upcoming assembly election.