During a meeting in Murshidabad, a Muslim-dominated district, Banerjee urged party leaders to put up a united fight against the BJP and the other divisive forces.

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM would not be a factor in the upcoming assembly polls in the state as its role as “B team of the BJP” has been exposed in the Bihar elections.

During a meeting in Murshidabad, a Muslim-dominated district, Banerjee urged party leaders to put up a united fight against the BJP and the other divisive forces.

“During the core committee meeting, Mamata di assured us that AIMIM would not be a factor in Murshidabad district. She told us that Owaisi’s party was exposed after the Bihar polls,” a local TMC leader said.

Murshidabad district comprises 22 assembly seats.

In the recently concluded Bihar elections, the AIMIM won five seats in the Muslims-dominated Seemanchal region on the border of West Bengal.

Earlier this month, Owaisi had met Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui of Hooghly district’s Furfura Sharif to discuss the seat-sharing arrangement.

The AIMIM chief has already expressed his desire to fight the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

The TMC had dubbed the AIMIM’s entry in the state as an attempt to split the Muslim votes in the state and help the BJP.

The AIMIM has termed the allegation as “baseless” and “motivated”.

A deciding factor in nearly 100-110 seats in the state, Muslims, who constitute 30 per cent of the population, till 2019, have acted as a bulwark of the TMC against its rivals, with most of them voting in favour of the party, considering it to be a “credible” force that can resist the saffron surge.

In a development that might upset several political equations in election-bound state, Siddiqui on Thursday floated a new political outfit, contending that he wishes to be the kingmaker after the polls.

The influential Muslim cleric said his new outfit — Indian Secular Front (ISF) – plans to contest the elections from all 294 assembly seats in the state.

Elections to the Bengal assembly are likely to be held in April-May.

Srinagar/Jammu, Dec 22: The seven-party Gupkar alliance led by Farooq Abdullah was ahead in the seat tally in the maiden District Development Council polls in Jammu and Kashmir by winning or leading in 112 seats out of 280 on Tuesday, followed by the BJP which had won 52 seats, including three in the Kashmir valley for the first time, and was frontrunner in 18.

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has bagged 82 seats and is leading in 30. Thirty-eight Independents, mainly disgruntled leaders from all political parties, have been declared winners and the same number are leading in other seats.

The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) put up a dismal performance by bagging seven seats and leading in another five. The Congress has so far won 19 seats and is leading in nine other council seats.

The eight-phase DDC polls, which began on November 28, is also the first election after Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 was revoked last year and it was reorganised into a Union Territory. In the election, 140 seats each in the Jammu and Kashmir regions went to polls.

The trends in most seats in the DDC elections are in accordance with expectations – the BJP maintained its strength in the Jammu division while the PAGD, which includes regional heavyweights the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is ahead in Kashmir, besides Pir Panchal and the Chenab Valley regions of Jammu.

A day ahead of counting of votes, authorities had detained several PDP and second-rung NC leaders, including Naeem Akhtar, Sartaj Madni, Peer Mansoor and Hilal Ahmad Lone. No reason was given for the detentions.

Senior PDP leader Waheed Parra, who is at present in jail after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him in a terror funding case, won from Pulwama-1 and polled 1,323 votes against BJP’s Sajjad Ahmed Raina who polled only 321 votes.

The BJP had something to cheer about in the Kashmir Valley as three of its candidates, Aijaz Hussain, Aijaz Ahmad Khan and Minha Lateef won from Khonmoh-II seat in Srinagar, Tulail seat in Bandipora district and Kakpora in Pulwama respectively.

This is for the first time the BJP has registered a win in the Valley while facing regional heavyweights like the NC and the PDP.

Highlighting the wins in the Kashmir Valley, BJP general secretary Vibodh Gupta congratulated victorious party candidates, especially those who had won in Kashmir, and said the people of the Valley have exhibited their faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The people of Kashmir exhibited their faith in Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi’s vision of Naya Kashmir, and sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas,” Gupta, who is also the party’s in-charge for Kashmir, said.

He said the victories mark a “change of wave” in the Valley and added that the maiden victory in Kashmir “speak of two stories — one of a tough fight by the BJP, marking the beginning of a new era in the Valley, and the other of conveying a strong message to Gupkar Gang that the end of their communal and divisive politics is near.”

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Jitendra Singh said, Three BJP candidates have won from Srinagar. It is testimony to the fact that people of Jammu and Kashmir believe in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the development of the Union Territory.

He said the BJP has emerged as a pan-Jammu and Kashmir party after the DDC elections results and it is acceptable to the people of the region.

However, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and NC vice president Omar Abdullah said the results of the DDC elections have made it clear that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted for the Gupkar alliance and rejected the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370.

Abdullah was quick enough to counter the BJP’s claims, tweeting, “I understand the temptation to over play the 3 seats the BJP has won in the valley but why underplay the 35 wins/leads of the @JKPAGD in Jammu province.

“We aren’t Kashmir based parties, we are political parties with strong support in both Kashmir AND Jammu,” the NC leader tweeted

Reacting to the results, Abdullah told PTI that the results and emerging trends of the DDC polls should be an eye-opener for the BJP and its “proxy political party”. He was apparently referring the JKAP.

Today’s DDC results have made it clear that people of J&K voted en masse for @JKPAGD thus rejecting the unconstitutional decision to abrogate Article 370. They have overwhelmingly supported @JKPAGD which stands for restoration of J&Ks special status, the PDP president said.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the DDC election results show that the voters of Kashmir valley have firmly rejected the BJP and its “misguided” Kashmir policy.

“Undeterred by the denial of democratic rights, the voters of the Kashmir valley have firmly rejected the BJP and its misguided Kashmir policy. I compliment the voters for their courage and resolve,” he said on Twitter.

Chidambaram also tweeted, “Even in the Jammu region, a significant number of voters have rejected the divisive and polarising politics of the BJP”. “Both the Congress and the Gupkar Alliance have stood up to the BJP and may win as many seats as the BJP. That is a good sign,” he said.

On August 5 last year, the Centre had revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

BJP’s former minister Shakti Raj Parihar was trailing from both his seats in Doda district, while former ministers Aijaz Khan (JKAP) and Abdul Gani Malik (NC) emerged victorious from Thuroo constituency and Mahore constituency in Reasi district.

Among the prominent loser from Kashmir was Naseer Ahmad Mir, son of state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir. He lost to an independent candidate Peer Shahbaz Ahmad.

Ariyalur(TN), Dec 17: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Thursday assailed actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan for hosting the reality show ‘Bigg Boss,’ saying the actor “can do no good for the people and his job is only to spoil good families.”

The AIADMK veteran’s criticism of Haasan comes in the backdrop of the actor invoking the legacy of the ruling party’s founder and former chief minister, the late M G Ramachandran, and the MNM chief lashing out at government over corruption.

Palaniswami insisted that only the AIADMK, founded by the late Ramachandran, could lay claim to his legacy and wondered if Haasan “could christen the child of someone else.”

In response to Palaniswami’s criticism, Haasan quipped he was happy the chief minister was also watching the reality show.

Pointing out that Haasan has launched a political party “post retirement,” Palaniswami asked, “what does he know (about politics)?”

“…..He is conducting Bigg Boss. If you see those serials not only children but also good families will get spoiled.”

“One cannot pin hopes on the actor as he can’t do good for the people. His job is only to spoil good families,” the chief minister said, perhaps in his most strong criticism of Haasan so far.

The CM’s comments came in response to a question from a reporter here who sought his reaction to the actor’s tweet on corruption.

“Ask sensible questions. You are trying to give the impression that the actor is a political leader,” Palaniswami chided the scribe.

Haasan, highly critical of the AIADMK government over a number of issues including graft, had earlier tweeted, while referring to the seizure of unaccounted money from various government offices by the DVAC, state officials were following the footsteps of the government on corruption.

Averring that there are several issues concerning people like the interlinking of rivers, farming or giving good advice to youngsters, Palaniswami said Haasan’s films did not give any socially relevant messages to the people as did the films of MGR, as Ramachandran is popularly addressed.

“MGR gave good songs with pertinent messages to the people, especially children. Has Kamal given any song that would do good to people?” Palaniswami asked.

Children and good families “will get spoiled” if they watch Kamal Haasan’s Bigg Boss show, he said.

Later, speaking to reporters at Perambalur, the AIADMK co-coordinator said Haasan “himself accepts that votes can be received only by taking MGR’s name.”

“Because, he (Hassan) does not have individual clout.

AIADMK was founded by MGR, so it is the only movement qualified to use his name. No one else has the moral right to do so,” he said.

“Can he christen the child of someone else?” the CM asked.

Responding to Palaniswami’s tirade, Haasan said in a tweet he was happy “that the chief minister is also watching Bigg Boss,” whose Tamil version he anchors on a private TV channel.

He also recalled lines from a superhit Tamil song from a film featuring MGR to imply some may compromise with all ideals for their needs but he will put an end to such people.

The MNM leader had recently invoked the legacy of Ramachandran, a hugely popular leader, when he had said he was ‘continuing’ the dream of the former chief Minister to make Madurai the second capital of Tamil Nadu.

He had also hinted Ramachandran cannot be confined merely to DMK, from where he started his political journey or his founded AIADMK.

He had said he grew up ‘on the lap of MGR’ while several Tamil Nadu Ministers would not have even seen him personally.

On the vigilance raids, Palaniswami said the DVAC comes under the state government and the checks show its intention to prevent malpractices.

The biggest blow was for BJP which finished third and the second spot went to a large number of independents who emerged victorious. 

JAIPUR: Days after suffering a setback in panchayat polls, the ruling Congress in Rajasthan bounced back with an impressive show in the m

Of the 50 municipal bodies that went to polls, the Congress emerged as a clear  winner in 620 of the total 1,775 wards. 

The biggest blow was for BJP which finished third. The second spot went to a large number of independents who emerged victorious. 

The independents candidates bagged 596 wards, while the BJP could win only 548 wards.

The Congress has emerged victorious in urban centres traditionally considered BJP bastions while the saffron party which did better in last week’s panchayat polls seems to have weakened in its strongholds in towns and cities.

The Congress has done particularly well in Jaipur district where it won 6 of the 10 ULBs. 

Similarly, in Sri Ganganagar district the Congress won 5 of the 8 municipal bodies that went to polls. 

The BJP did better than the Congress only in Bharatpur district where it won 6 of the 8 urban bodies, while in Alwar district the Congress and BJP won 3 ULBs each.

Lauding the Congress’ victory, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted, “I thank all the citizens who showed their trust in Congress and because of which the party won. I thank all the Congress workers. Because of their hard work, the party has won.”

BJP state president Satish Poonia, however, had a different take. 

Despite the BJP finishing third, he claimed that the results have gone against the Congress as the BJP and independent leaders won more than 60 per cent seats. 

He remarked that this implies that the “mandate has gone against the Congress”.

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur hit out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the attack on BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda’s convoy.

SEHORE (Madhya Pradesh): BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur has hit out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the attack on BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda’s convoy in West Bengal saying that BJP will win in the next Assembly elections and there will be “Hindu Raj” in West Bengal.

“She (Mamata Banerjee) is frustrated because she has realised that her rule is about to end. BJP will win the next Assembly election and there will be Hindu Raj in West Bengal,” said Thakur.

The minister’s comments follow a few days after Nadda’s convoy was attacked. Party leaders including Kailash Vijayvargiya were injured as protesters pelted stones at their vehicles at Diamond Harbour.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said that governance by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is “getting increasingly distanced from rule of law and Constitution” and he has been cautioning her.

Dhankar also said that he will work for ensuring free, fair and violence-free election in the state next year. 

MNM chief Kamal Haasan will launch his campaign for the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from December 13 onwards.

CHENNAI: Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan will launch his campaign for the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from December 13 onwards, the party said on Thursday.

The actor-politician will embark on his first phase of campaign between December 13-16, MNM Vice President, Dr R Mahendran said in a release here.

During this four-day schedule, Haasan will cover Madurai, Theni, Dindugul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanniyakumari districts, he added.

Haasan had launched MNM in February 2018 and the party had faced last year’s Lok Sabha elections but could not return any MP.

Bangaon (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asserted that her government will not allow implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) or National Population Register (NPR) in the state.

Maintaining that all the residents of the state are citizens of the country and no one can change that, Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to play divisive politics using the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Addressing a public meeting here in North 24 Parganas district bordering Bangladesh, she said, “I, as the chief minister, say that you are citizens and no one can change that. We will not allow NRC or NPR.”

Banerjee also claimed that these are the BJP’s ploy to throw people out of the state.

BJP national general secretary and in-charge of West Bengal Kailash Vijayvargiya last week said that the CAA is likely to be implemented from January next year, as the Centre is keen to grant citizenship to the large refugee population in West Bengal.

Wooing the Matua community who hold considerable sway over a number of Assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas and neighbouring Nadia district, Banerjee said that a slew of development programmes have been taken up for the community.

“We will not allow Bengal to be turned into Gujarat,” the TMC supremo asserted, claiming that the BJP has destroyed the country through its “divisive politics.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought three laws against the interests of farmers to enable corporates to take away their produce at will, Banerjee alleged.

She also alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre has allowed hoarding of potato, onion and other necessary food items by removing these from the list of essential commodities leading to price rise.

The chief minister accused the BJP of making false allegations over providing monetary relief to the victims of cyclone Amphan.

“Just because one or two elements did some mischief, you (BJP) are seeking the accounts of Amphan relief. How much money have you given that you are asking for it?” she said.

The Calcutta High Court has recently directed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to audit cyclone Amphan-related relief amid allegations of irregularities.

“The prime minister made a dramatic visit to Basirhat (after the cyclone) for publicity and announced Rs 1,000 crore (for relief). It is our money which he has simply sent in advance,” she said, claiming that the central government has only given the money from what was due to the state.

She questioned how the Centre asks for accounts when it is the state government which is making roads and providing people with electricity, drinking water and other facilities.

“The central government is denying the state of its GST compensation dues,” she said, while maintaining that the TMC dispensation is going ahead with several development schemes in the state despite its tight financial position.

“Despite such a financial situation, I am giving a lot to the people. If anyone else can do the same, I will resign the same day,” Banerjee said.

A small section of people who waved placards with their demands written on those during the meeting, she urged people not to hurt her.

“If you hurt me, I sometimes feel maybe I should not remain (in the chief ministers post) they don’t want me,” an emotional Banerjee said.

She urged them not to raise placards with demands at her meetings. “You can always write to me and I will look into your issues,” the chief minister said.

Banerjee said that out of the 10 crore population of the state, 9.5 crore are beneficiaries of the schemes of her government.

She claimed that the BJP government at the Centre is selling off and privatising banks, railways, defence, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and coal mines.

“The central government buys only 70,000 metric tonne of rice from farmers in West Bengal, while it purchases a lot more from several other states,” the chief minister said, accusing it of partisan behaviour.

She said that her government buys 45 lakh metric tonne paddy from farmers of the state to provide them adequate support.

Alleging that the BJP has brought outsiders to the state, who are going door to door to make divisive campaigns, Banerjee said that the saffron party has divided the “Matua family” through its divisive politics.

The NRC and the CAA had led to a sharp division within the Matua Mahasangha, an apex body of the Hindu refugee sect, with one group supporting the TMC and another backing the BJP.

Maintaining that she keeps her words, she said, “I am not like the BJP who makes promises before elections, but runs away later.”

She said that Rs 10 crore was sanctioned for the development of the community and assured them that a holiday would be announced on the birth anniversary of founder Harichand Thakur, the founder of the Matua sect.