Combined image showing Ritabrata Banerjee (L) and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (R). File.

Rebel Trinamool Congress leader and Cooch Behar MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia on Monday (September 14, 2026) claimed that 17 of the 20 Lok Sabha members aligned with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) will join the BJP before or after Durga Puja, a claim promptly disputed by fellow dissidents.

The BJP sought to distance itself from the claim, with its West Bengal unit chief Samik Bhattacharya saying the party would not take in anyone merely because they want to join it.

Mr. Basunia said 17 MPs have finalised plans to join the BJP together and the number would be sufficient to keep them outside the purview of the anti-defection law.

“We are 17 MPs who are going to the BJP together. Since more than two-thirds of the 20 members will be switching, the anti-defection law will not apply to us,” he told reporters.

Of the TMC’s 27 Lok Sabha MPs, 20 have joined the little-known NCPI and extended their support to the saffron party just after TMC’s defeat in the Assembly polls in May this year.

The TMC leadership, headed by Mamata Banerjee, has submitted an application to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and moved the Supreme Court as well, seeking their disqualification as MPs.

However, fellow rebel MP Satabdi Roy said Mr. Basunia had made the remarks in his personal capacity, and no such decision has been taken by the group so far.

Another rebel MP, Abu Taher Khan, who is also part of the NCPI group, said Mr. Basunia had no right to speak on behalf of all the MPs who had joined the outfit.

He also rejected Mr. Basunia’s claim that he, Jangipur MP Khalilur Rahaman and Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan would support the BJP-led NDA while staying outside the BJP. “We will not go to the BJP. We will not go to the NDA. This is clear,” Mr. Taher said, adding that Mr. Basunia’s statement was his personal view.

The parliamentarian from the Murshidabad Lok Sabha seat said he and the two MPs could attend government meetings if invited by the Prime Minister or Chief Minister for development-related issues, but would not participate in BJP or NDA meetings.

Mr. Basunia had claimed the three MPs belonging to the minority community would not formally join the BJP because of the political dynamics in their constituencies, but would support the NDA from outside and could be given important responsibilities or portfolios.

The BJP, meanwhile, distanced itself from the claim.

West Bengal BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said he had no information about any such development and maintained that a person expressing a desire to join the BJP did not mean the party would automatically take him in.

Mr. Bhattacharya said the party would not take in anyone merely because they wanted to join, and questioned whether the BJP Mr. Basunia was referring to was “the BJP on Mars”.

“As far as I know, no one from the TMC or NCPI is joining the BJP. People of the State have not forgotten the kind of atrocities these leaders and MPs have done during the TMC regime,” he said.

On June 14, 20 dissident TMC Lok Sabha MPs announced their merger with the little-known NCPI and extended support to the BJP-led NDA. They subsequently sought recognition as a separate parliamentary group.

The rebel camp has maintained that the move constitutes a valid merger and has invoked the two-thirds provision under the anti-defection law. With 20 MPs in the group, at least 14 would be required to meet that threshold.

Mr. Basunia said the MPs had originally intended to move directly to the BJP but were brought into the NCPI after three minority MPs were unwilling to join.

The legal status of the group, however, remains contested. Lok Sabha records continue to list the 20 MPs as TMC members, and their claim for recognition as a separate NCPI group has not been finally settled.

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee had approached the Supreme Court seeking expeditious disposal of his petition seeking disqualification of the 20 MPs under the anti-defection law.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat subsequently issued notices to the MPs on August 26, seeking their replies to the disqualification petitions. The MPs sought three weeks’ additional time, which was granted by Speaker Om Birla, with the revised deadline extending until September 22.

The Supreme Court has also issued notices to the 20 MPs in the matter.

Mr. Basunia and his wife, TMC MLA Sangeeta Roy, faced protests when they returned to his ancestral home in Sitai in Cooch Behar amid anger over his political shift. A TMC office near his residence was also allegedly set on fire.

Mr. Basunia has maintained that he is no longer with the TMC and is aligned with the NDA.

Published – September 14, 2026 05:18 pm IST

 The question is making rounds in the political circles: who will get the “ grass and twin-flowers’ symbol of Trinamool Congress in the upcoming by-elections. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee speaks to the media during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on August 10, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI

 Prominent industry leaders of West Bengal on Monday (June 22, 2026) welcomed the first budget of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the State presented by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, lauding its emphasis on industry, reconsidering land ceiling, infrastructure and healthcare.

Mehul Mohanka, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry Eastern Region, called it “a forward-looking roadmap for infrastructure-led growth and industrial competitiveness,” adding that litigation-free land was critical to large investments.

“The emphasis on metro rail expansion, including studies for new metro rail projects in Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri, is a welcome step, as improved urban mobility will support workforce movement, ease congestion and strengthen productivity in key industrial centres,” Mr. Mohanka said.

Mr. Dasgupta in the budget proposed deep-sea port at Dadanpatrabar in Purba Medinipur on a public-private basis, a greenfield airport on 1,000–1,500 acres near Kalyani to ease congestion at Kolkata airport, and a feasibility study for metro links between Durgapur–Asansol and Siliguri–Jalpaiguri.

Harshavardhan Neotia, chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group said that what is particularly encouraging about this Budget is that it looks at growth as an ecosystem rather than a collection of individual initiatives.

“Investments in regional connectivity through new airports and infrastructure, the focus on education and healthcare capacity, the proposed industrial development initiatives, and the emphasis on employment generation together have the potential to expand economic activity well beyond the traditional growth centres of the State,” he said.

 Taranjit Singh, chairman, ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) Eastern Region welcomed the first Budget of the new State government and appreciate its emphasis on laying a clear roadmap for accelerating economic growth through infrastructure development, enhanced revenue mobilization, and improved public service delivery. “The Finance Minister’s articulation of the state’s development agenda in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat reflects a constructive approach towards fostering inclusive and sustainable growth” Mr. Singh said.

Priti A. Sureka, president Merchant Chamber of Commerce said that the budget provides a prescription for all around development with focus on holistic growth of West Bengal. Ms. Sureka highlighted the setting up of Tea workers development board, IT hub and a semiconductor unit at Durgapur and emphasis laid on electric vehicles and renewable energy.

Another decision in the budget that caught support of the industry captions was the decision to re-examine the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976.

Mahesh Agarwal, managing director, Purti Realty said that decision to examine the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA) framework is a positive development and a practical assessment of existing land regulations can enable more effective land use, assist planned urban growth, and enhance the business environment.

“The emphasis on ongoing investment in city infrastructure, such as the proposed Chingrighata–New Town elevated corridor, is very encouraging. New Town has firmly positioned itself as a key business and residential centre in Eastern India, and improved connectivity will strengthen its attractiveness for investment..,” he said

The North Bengal focus in the budget was lauded by Rudra Chatterjee, deputy chairman, CII Eastern Region who said that for the tea industry, the Budget also provides an opportunity to build a more sustainable value chain by encouraging greater processing, packaging, branding and value addition closer to the gardens.  Mr. Chatterjee lauded the announcement of proposing one IIT and one IIM in the region

On the healthcare front Budget set aside ₹3,100 crore for Ayushman Bharat, expected to cover about seven crore people, and proposed an AIIMS and a cancer hospital in North Bengal, super-speciality hospitals at the Sundarbans, Purulia and Darjeeling.

Rupak Barua, chairman, CII West Bengal State Council and Managing Director & CEO, Woodlands Hospital, noted, that the proposed allocation of ₹3,100 crore for Ayushman Bharat signals a strong commitment to expanding affordable healthcare coverage across vulnerable groups, including senior citizens and frontline workers.

Namit Bajoria, managing director, Kutchina Home Makers Pvt. Ltd said that consumer-facing sectors like kitchen solutions and home appliances, demand is closely linked to urbanisation, housing growth and rising incomes and the first Budget of the new government is encouraging, particularly in its focus on industrial growth.

Published – June 23, 2026 03:39 am IST

Prasenjit Bose. File photo: Special Arrangement

In today’s episode, West Bengal politics dominates headlines as the State makes Vande Mataram compulsory in madrasas, announces action against illegal infiltrators, and restricts officials from speaking to media. Plus, the viral Cockroach Janata Party controversy, Tamil Nadu’s major Cabinet reshuffle under C. Joseph Vijay, and more

Kolkata:

The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved the allocation of around 0.9 acres of land in Nadia district’s Karimpur to the Border Security Force (BSF), potentially for setting up outposts and installing wired fences, a senior official said.

The paramilitary force had informed the state government about their land requirement, and the matter was discussed during the cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat.

“The matter was discussed and approval for 0.9 acres of land at Karimpur was given to the BSF,” the official said.

This decision comes amidst recent tensions, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging earlier this month that the BSF was allowing infiltration from Bangladesh.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had strongly criticised Banerjee’s remarks, calling them “an insult to the 75,000 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and 33,000 BSF personnel in Bengal.” Adhikari also claimed that the state’s lack of support was hindering the construction of fencing to prevent infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border.

The BJP leader alleged that land acquisition for the 284 km long fence was “pending” at the state level.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the assembly’s budget session from February 10 with the budget scheduled to be presented on February 12.

The cabinet also approved the filling of 60 vacancies across various departments.

In a move to recognise the achievements of the Bengal Santosh Trophy -winning football team, the state cabinet decided to offer jobs in the state police to players facing recruitment challenges due to specific physical shortcomings.

The cabinet also gave its approval to set up two police stations, especially for the Special Task Force (STF), he said, adding that the two stations would be set up in New Town and another Siliguri.

“However, no separate appointments will be made for these two police stations at the moment,” he said.

The state cabinet decided to appoint 881 contractual bus drivers and conductors in the transport department, the official added.

CM Banerjee instructed all state departments to coordinate with each other to successfully organise the 8th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit, scheduled for February 5-6, sources said.

Additionally, the CM also directed her cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant during Saraswati Puja celebrations on February 3, emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order to prevent any disruptions or threats to the state’s security.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Jhargram:

65-year-old woman died of shock after seeing the hanging body of her grandson who allegedly died by suicide in their home in West Bengal’s Jhargram district allegedly after a heated argument with his girlfriend, police said on Monday.

The incident occurred after Shubhankar Mahato (25), who worked under a contractor, returned to his Parulia village home in Jhargram block on Sunday night.

He had then an argument with his girlfriend over the phone during which he entered a room and locked the door from inside, police said.

Despite repeated calls, he did not open the door. When the door was broken open, it was found that he was hanging.

“Unable to bear the pain, his grandmother Kamala Mahato also died,” a police officer said.

After conducting postmortem examinations, both bodies were handed over to the family on Monday.

The police started an investigation into the matter, the officer said.

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