Kolkata:

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday criticised the BJP-led central government for allegedly remaining silent on atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, questioning the Centre’s “inadequate” diplomatic response to the crisis and accused the BSF of aiding infiltrators to destabilise West Bengal.

The TMC national general secretary urged the Centre to give a befitting reply to the anti-India narrative in such a manner that Bangladesh understands.

Raising concerns over the Centre’s response to the crisis, Mr Banerjee alleged, “Why are the prime minister, foreign minister, defence minister, and the union home minister silent on the situation in Bangladesh? The BJP government talks about valour and ‘Parakram’ but has not responded adequately to the atrocities on minorities in the neighbouring country.” He also claimed that state BJP leaders, who “constantly criticise the TMC government”, should instead ask their central leadership to be vocal about the issue.

“Why has there been no strong diplomatic response from the Modi government regarding the atrocities on Hindus and other communities in Bangladesh?”, the Diamond Harbour MP wondered.

“Have you ever heard of a country like Bangladesh daring to intimidate India before 2014? Is this how you are brightening India’s name?” “We are all aware of the kind of atrocities and anarchy going on across Bangladesh and the silence of our central government is adding to the speculations.

The prime minister always speaks of a powerful government, a ’56-inch chest government’. Now we want to see the Centre giving a befitting reply to Bangladesh in the language they understand,” he said.

Mr Banerjee also made allegations against the BSF, claiming that the force was aiding the infiltration of extremists from Bangladesh.

“To destabilise the state, the BSF is allowing infiltrators to cross into West Bengal. It is the state police who are actively arresting these terrorists,” Mr Banerjee said.

Several suspected extremists have been arrested in various parts of the state recently, particularly following the unrest in Bangladesh after August 5, he claimed.

“Instead of appreciating the state police’s efforts, the opposition criticises them. It is the state police which has arrested those terrorists. The BJP should first answer why the BSF, which is responsible for border security, is failing in its duty,” he said.

Speaking about the arrest of Bangladeshis in the northeastern states, he said, “What is the Border Security Force doing? So many people have been caught in Tripura and Assam. Is a Trinamool government there? Isn’t it a double-engine government?” Hitting out at BJP leaders, the TMC MP criticised their rhetoric on infiltrators, questioning their claims about “hanging people upside down and punishing them one by one”.

Mr Banerjee further accused the prime minister and the government of “remaining silent” on those being targeted in the name of religion.

Drawing attention to the plight of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, he said, “The central government had promised shelter to Hindus through the CAA, but what is it doing now? Is their silence because there is no election at this moment?” Mr Banerjee reiterated that the TMC and the West Bengal government would align with the Centre’s diplomatic decisions regarding the Bangladesh situation.

However, he stressed the need for a stronger response.

“The chaos in Bangladesh since August 5 has caused immense suffering to minorities. The Centre must act decisively instead of sitting idle,” Banerjee claimed while launching the “Sebaashray” health programme in his constituency.

The TMC leader, reacting to the rejection of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das’ bail plea in Bangladesh, stated that such “outcomes are inevitable when a country’s judiciary is biased”.

“If the judiciary of a country becomes weak, the downfall of that nation is inevitable, and no one can prevent it. We have seen on various occasions that if the judiciary is not impartial or becomes biased, the decline of that country or society becomes unstoppable,” he claimed.

A court in the southeastern port city of Chattogram in Bangladesh denied bail to Hindu monk and former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case on Thursday.

Mr Banerjee called upon people to keep calm and maintain harmony in the state and not to pay heed to those who are trying to indulge in violence and disrupt law and order by citing the Bangladesh situation.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Amidst the ongoing internal struggle within the TMC between veteran leaders and the younger faction, West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday said any decision regarding her successor would be made collectively by the party leadership rather than by her personally.

In an exclusive interview with a Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla, Ms Banerjee dismissed notions of individual dominance, asserting, “I am not the party; we are the party. It is a collective family, and decisions will be made collectively.”

Asked about her potential successor, Ms Banerjee deflected the question with a counter-query, “Who is your successor?” She went on to clarify that TMC is a disciplined party where no individual will dictate terms. “The party will decide what is best for the people. We have MLAs, MPs, booth workers, this is a joint effort,” she said.

On the ongoing debate about prioritising the younger generation or experienced leaders, Ms Banerjee maintained a balanced approach, stating, “Everyone is important. Today’s newcomer will be tomorrow’s veteran.”

While TMC has not officially declared any succession plans, Ms Banerjee’s remark comes amidst an ongoing debate over the old guards, considered loyal to Mamata Banerjee, versus the next-generation leaders, considered close to Abhishek Banerjee.

Abhishek Banerjee is TMC’s national general secretary and nephew of Mamata Banerjee.

Ms Banerjee did not mince words when addressing the role of political consultants, taking an indirect jibe at I-PAC, which has been working as TMC’s political consultant since 2019.

“Some strategists make surveys sitting at home and change them later. They can arrange things but not bring voters. It’s the booth workers who know the villages and people who actually win elections,” she remarked, adding, “They are like artisans who do their work in exchange for money. But elections aren’t won by them.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

The arrest of a Hindu priest in Bangladesh, has led to a row between the Opposition BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. India has expressed concern and issued a strong statement on the arrest. There has been condemnation across party lines over the arrest. The BJP, though, has alleged that Trinamool is silent on the issue.

Chinmoy Krishna Das – who was demanding safety and security of Hindus – was arrested as attacks on minorities, mainly Hindus, continue in Bangladesh. He has been jailed and denied bail. 

What has led to even more outrage is the Bangladeshi government calling the renowned International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) a “fundamentalist organisation”.

The Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said his party condemns what is happening in Bangladesh and will support steps the Union government takes.

“The issue of Bangladesh is not a state issue, it’s a national issue. It’s an international matter and in the domain of the central government,” Mr Banerjee said.

“The people have given the Central government the mandate and we have cleared our stance many times. Whatever position the Central government takes on an international issue, the Trinamool will support it as a party in the nation’s interest. What has happened there cannot be supported at all and it is unfortunate and should be criticised,” he added. 

The Bengal BJP has been demanding punitive measures to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition, the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, led a protest march to the Bangladesh High Commission today, calling for an end to atrocities against Hindus. 

“Our demand is that this goondagardi, killing of Hindus should stop. Chinmoy Krishna Das should be released immediately. Bangladesh-India relations should improve immediately. These are demands or else we should stop giving them visas and export-import permits. A member of the caretaker government is openly making anti-India statements. He holds a post equivalent to a cabinet minister of the Union in Bangladesh,” Mr Adhikari said.

After New Delhi’s sharp response against the arrest, Bangladesh said India was misrepresenting facts. 

Chief Advisor to the interim government Md Yunus said Bangladesh is committed to upholding communal harmony but the ground reality shows Islamic radicals are continuing to target Hindus. 

Kolkata:

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday formed several disciplinary committees at different levels, consisting of veteran loyalists, and gave additional responsibilities to national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as the spokesperson for national affairs, underscoring the party’s reliance on seasoned members to shape its strategic direction.

In a significant move, the party also elevated five veteran leaders including assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, state minister Manas Bhunia and party MP Kalyan Banerjee, to the party’s all-powerful working committee.

Notably, party MP and Ms Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek, considered the party’s de facto number two and who has been a key figure in the party’s growth, will also serve as the official spokesperson for national affairs.

His appointment highlights the party’s focus on enhancing its national presence and making him the face of the party at the national level.

Speaking to the media after the national executive committee meeting, senior party leader and state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said that to ensure better discipline and effective leadership, the party has constituted three disciplinary committees at different levels.

The Parliamentary Disciplinary Committee includes Sudip Bandopadhyay, Derek O’Brien, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Kalyan Banerjee, and Nadimul Haque.

The State Assembly Disciplinary Committee comprises Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Nirmal Ghosh, Aroop Biswas, Debashish Kumar, and Firhad Hakim.

At the state level, the committee consists of Subrata Bakshi, Aroop Biswas, Sujit Bose, Firhad Hakim, and Chandrima Bhattacharya.

“If someone is issued a show-cause notice by any of these committees, he or she has to answer it. If a person gets three such show-cause notices, steps will be taken to suspend him or her,” Bhattacharya said.

According to party sources, this strategic reshuffle is seen as a move to bring experienced leaders to the forefront, reflecting the party’s recognition of their contributions over the years.

“The new appointments underline the party’s commitment to bringing long-serving members into leadership roles. The prominence of veteran leaders such as Kalyan Banerjee and Manas Bhunia reflects TMC’s effort to retain a balance between experience and youth in its leadership. Additionally, Abhishek Banerjee’s expanded role as the national spokesperson will help the party navigate the complex political landscape at the national level, as it aims to grow its influence across India,” a senior TMC leader said.

The TMC has strengthened regional representation by making strategic appointments to amplify local voices.

Gautam Deb, Udayan Guha, and Prakash Chik Baraik have been tasked with addressing issues in northern West Bengal.

Malay Ghatak will focus on matters related to tea garden workers, while Birbaha Hansda will handle concerns specific to the tribal region of Jhargram.

Senior TMC leader and state minister Aroop Biswas has been appointed as the coordinator for party spokespersons.

The TMC announced a series of initiatives to strengthen its grassroots network and deepen its connection with the public.

A new campaign will be launched to educate people about the party’s history and its contributions to the state’s political landscape, with party workers actively spreading this message across districts.

“There are several youths who are not aware of the party’s history and struggle. So, we have decided to take up an initiative to teach the people about the party’s history and its contributions,” she said.

The party has also decided to launch a campaign christened ‘With the People, For the People’, aimed at building stronger engagement with the masses.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday said Donald Trump’s election as US president has proved that age is not a factor if someone has popular support, amid the debate in his party over a call for fixing a retirement age for leaders.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, TMC’s General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee had called for implementing a retirement age in politics, citing a decline in work efficiency and productivity.

“In politics, age is not the factor. If one is capable of working for the people of the country and capable of discharging all functions, if he is popular amongst the people, then he can remain in politics,” said the four-time MP from Serampore.

“Trump won the election at the age of 78,” the 67-year-old added.

The controversy on the issue within the party reached such a level a few months before the Lok Sabha polls that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to intervene, asking young members to respect senior leaders, and dismissing assertions that the veterans should retire from politics.

The MP refused to comment on party leader Kunal Ghosh hinting that Abhishek Banerjee could become the next chief minister of West Bengal after Mamata Banerjee.

He, however, said, “When the party asks me to go, I will leave without getting into any controversy.” 

Kolkata:

Trinamool’s second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee has issued a warning to party leaders: Do not to speak ill of anyone from the medical fraternity or civil society. The message on X comes amid multiple ugly comments by party leaders since his aunt and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had apparently urged them to “hiss”. The Chief Minister has denied making any such comment, but that has apparently not convinced any of her party leaders. 

“Public representatives across party lines need to be more HUMBLE and SYMPATHETIC. I urge everyone in @AITCofficial not to speak ill of anyone from the MEDICAL FRATERNITY OR CIVIL SOCIETY,” the Diamond Harbour MP said. “Everyone has the right to protest and express themselves. This is what sets West Bengal apart from other BJP-ruled states,” he added.

Public representatives across party lines need to be more HUMBLE and SYMPATHETIC. I urge everyone in @AITCofficial not to speak ill of anyone from the MEDICAL FRATERNITY OR CIVIL SOCIETY. Everyone has the right to protest and express themselves- This is what sets West Bengal…

— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) September 2, 2024

On Sunday, Atish Sarkar, husband of a TMC councillor at Habra, had lashed out at protestors. “I will make a distorted picture of your mother and sister and hang it on the door of your house. You will not be able to leave your house,” he said. 

“Remember, our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee advised us to hiss at times. If we start hissing, you will not be able to come out of your houses,” he was heard saying at a public meeting in his locality. After the video was widely circulated, the party had suspended him. 

The same day, four-time Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is also a medical practitioner, issued a statement apologising for her recent derogatory remarks about women doctors that infuriated the medical community. 

At a panel discussion on the horrific rape-murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College in a vernacular television channel, the MP had claimed during her days as a medical student, there was a trend where female students secured qualifying marks by “sitting on the lap” of teaching doctors. She also said the students who often protested against that were granted lesser marks. 

She had added that she never imagined the “trend” would ultimately take such a “nasty shape”.

Actor-turned Trinamool MLA Kanchan Mullick questioned whether protesting junior doctors would refuse to accept their salaries and bonuses. “I just want to ask whether people who are on ceasework and opposing the ruling party are accepting their salaries and bonuses? Will people from my fraternity withdraw the awards conferred on them by the state government?” he said at a protest meet organised by the party in Konnagar. 

In another video that was widely circulated on Sunday, a minister of the state, Udayan Guha, is purportedly heard asking party workers to retaliate against political adversaries.

“Some political parties are trying to do politics over the RG Kar incident. If they sting once, we will have to sting five times. If they leave a single tooth-mark, we will have to leave five teeth-marks,” he is purportedly heard saying. 

Trinamool’s Bankura MP Arup Chakraborty said once party workers take a stand and “hiss”, those who are protesting against the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital and “misleading people”, will “flee like dogs”.

All of it is apparently a take-off on something the Chief Minister had said a recent meeting last week. But on August 29, Ms Banerjee clarified the remark on X.

“I also clarify that the phrase (“phonsh kara“) that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is a need to raise one’s voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, a voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying,” her post read. 

The comments by the party leaders, though, have infuriated the medical community as well as the civil society, who have been on a massive protest over the rape-murder. Despite the Supreme Court’s request to stop the protest and return to work, the doctors have stuck to their course of action. 

Kolkata:

Amid a social media storm over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, the West Bengal child rights body has taken note of a rape threat to the 11-year-old daughter of Trinamool Congress MP and the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Mr Banerjee, nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is effectively the Number 2 in Trinamool Congress.

The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motu cognizance of a video on social media from a protest rally over the chilling August 9 incident in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The panel has said that one person in the gathering was heard threatening the minor daughter of Mr Banerjee with rape and publicly announcing a reward of a sum of Rs 10 crore to anyone who commits it.

“Such filthy intention of the miscreant and his indecent remark in public amounts to outraging the modesty of a minor girl and also endangering her safety and security,” the commission has said in a statement.

It called upon police to take action under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the UN Convention on Rights of a Child.

“While the entire state is mourning the sad demise of the doctor at RG Kar, calling for another rape to settle scores is clearly violative of the law and could send out a dangerous message to society if punitive measures are not taken. This can put not just the minor girl in question but all minor girls at risk,” the commission said.

The child rights body has sought from the police an action taken report in this matter within two days.

Senior Trinamool leader Derek O’Brien took to X to comment on the issue. “Fight us politically with your filthy tricks. You have done it before. But today you have crossed the line. Stop threatening kids. No words enough to condemn the gutter level threats to our National General Secretary’s daughter. STOP THIS NOW,” he said in a post.

Kolkata and surrounding areas are witnessing massive protests over the chilling incident of rape-murder at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Mamata Banerjee-led state government and the ruling Trinamool Congress are drawing fire for the handling of the matter. The Trinamool Congress supremo has hit back, alleging a nexus between Opposition parties BJP and CPM of creating unrest in the state.

Following a Calcutta High Court order, the investigation into the sensitive case was transferred to the CBI. Before the case transfer, Kolkata Police had arrested one accused, Sanjoy Roy. The CBI is yet to make any arrest.

New Delhi:

The discussion on Budget 2024 in Lok Sabha today witnessed a sharp exchange between Speaker Om Birla and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, when the latter claimed that the House did not discuss the three farm laws that were later rolled back and the Chair stressed that it did.

Mr Banerjee, MP from West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour and the Number 2 in the Mamata Banerjee-led party, said in his speech that the Centre got the agricultural bills passed “without any consultation with farmers, farmer organisations or Opposition parties”.

The Speaker intervened: “Let’s set the record straight, this House discussed the issue for five-and-a-half hours.” When Mr Banerjee stressed that no discussion took place, Mr Birla said, firmly, “When the Speaker speaks, he speaks right. You correct yourself.” The Trinamool MP stuck to his guns, prompting the Speaker to say, “When I speak, I don’t speak wrong.”

Earlier, Mr Banerjee’s address targeted the Narendra Modi government over the Budget and drew a response from the treasury benches, especially BJP MPs from Bengal.

The Trinamool general secretary said the Budget lacked “clarity of vision” and was aimed at satisfying BJP coalition partners rather than providing any relief to the country’s 140 crore people.

“This is a budget planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith,” he said, adding that it was “planned by two, executed for two”. Mr Banerjee said the “anti-people” budget was crafted to “bribe two political parties and buy time before the government implodes”.

The Trinamool MP was referring to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar, whose support gave the BJP the required numbers to form the government after its score dropped in this general election. Opposition parties have argued that Budget 2024 was generous for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, ruled by the BJP’s key allies, but other states got nothing substantial.

Earlier today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the Trinamool’s criticism of the Budget. “Yesterday, the TMC questioned the Budget, saying nothing has been given to Bengal. Let me highlight the fact that several schemes given by the Prime Minister in the last 10 years have not even been implemented in West Bengal. And you have the audacity to ask me now?” she said in Rajya Sabha.

In response, Mr Banerjee threw a challenge, daring the Finance Minister to release a white paper on how much money the Centre has given to Bengal after BJP’s defeat in the 2021 state polls.

The Trinamool MP said the Centre has withheld MGNREGA funds and lakhs of houses sanctioned under the PM Awas Yojana in Bengal are waiting central funds.

Mr Banerjee said that money that should have been used to build homes is “allocated to purchase aircraft worth Rs 8000 crore and construct palatial buildings as part of Central Vista project worth Rs 20,000 crore while poor people of this country still endure homelessness”.

At one point, Mr Birla said members must avoid commenting on those who are not members of Lok Sabha. This drew strong remarks from the Trinamool members, prompting the Speaker to respond sternly.

“I want to clarify, the Chair said we should not comment on those who are not members of this House. I want to ask you, is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a member of this House? Why did they comment? Please maintain the respect of your Chair and make them apologise. Then I will continue, you have to intervene,” he said.

The Speaker replied, “You can continue if you want, I have removed her name from the record, you cannot give directions to me.” At the end of Mr Banerjee’s speech, the Speaker appealed to all members to avoid making remarks on the Chair.

Kolkata:

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday underwent a minor surgery on his back at a Kolkata-based hospital and his condition is stated to be stable, authorities of the medical establishment said.

The 37-year-old Diamond Harbour MP, who is also the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was admitted to the hospital in the morning, they said.

“Abhishek Banerjee underwent a surgical procedure and he is now hemodynamically stable,” an official of the hospital said.

The official said that Abhishek Banerjee underwent a minor plastic surgery on his back.

“It was not something very serious… if all goes well, we may consider discharging him this evening itself,” the official told PTI.

Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary and de facto number two in the party, on Wednesday said he would be taking a hiatus from organisational work for some pressing medical reasons.

“In light of some pressing medical reasons, I will be taking a short hiatus from the organisation. This time off will be an opportunity for me to humbly explore and understand the needs of our people and community. I trust that the government of West Bengal will act swiftly and leave no stone unturned to ensure justice for those in need,” he said in a post on X.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee said his party was keen on an alliance with the Congress, and because of that he went to meet Rahul Gandhi at his home at 6 am.

Mr Banerjee, the nephew of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her heir apparent, claimed that TMC candidates are the true representatives of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal.

“Had I not been serious, I would not have rushed to Rahul Gandhi’s residence in Delhi at 6 am. We were willing to have an alliance with the Congress in Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, and despite state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Choudhury’s barbs at our party for months, we did not react for a long time,” he said.

“We gave Congress time till December but we could not wait indefinitely since we had to make preparations. Till December 31, 2023, not a single spokesperson of our party, including Mamata Banerjee, reacted to what Adhir Choudhury was saying,” he added.

Abhishek Banerjee, the MP from Diamond Harbour, said the seat-sharing talks failed because of the state Congress’s belligerence.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)