
At key Opposition huddle, Abhishek Banerjee denounces BJP's 'E-square' formula
Posted by Jairam Ramesh on X
'BJP is using E-square — ECI and ED. BJP is using the Election Commission to target voters and the ED to target Opposition leaders,' Abhishek Banerjee was quoted as saying by a source present at the meeting. After Bihar, he also expressed concern over similar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bengal ahead of next year's assembly elections, calling it a backdoor entry for the NRC.ABHISHEK BANERJEE TALKS TOUGH ON PAHALGAMSpeaking firmly on the Pahalgam terror attack, Abhishek Banerjee asked fellow Opposition leaders, 'Was it not an intelligence failure? In a recent interview, Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor admitted to an intelligence failure. Then why was the Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief given an extension?'The Trinamool MP further questioned how internal security lapses occurred if Pegasus was being used to spy on Opposition MPs during elections.Congress's Pramod Tiwari echoed concerns regarding the Pahalgam attack, stating, 'Most leaders expressed concern that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have not yet been brought to justice by the government.' He further called for accountability, saying, 'We want Parliament to function properly and the government to respond to the issues raised by Opposition parties."The meeting was attended by 24 parties and top Opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Hemant Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sanjay Raut and Omar Abdullah among others, were present.- EndsMust Watch
advertisement
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
India–Maldives Ties: 8 key pacts inked in PM Modi-Muizzu meet; UPI, debt relief, fisheries, FTA on table
ANI photo India and the Maldives on Friday exchanged eight important agreements covering debt repayment, fisheries, digital payments, and a new Line of Credit worth Rs 4,850 crore, during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Malé. In the presence of PM Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger economic and maritime partnership. India agreed to ease Maldives' loan repayment burden by 40%, and push digital ties through UPI, RuPay and local currency trade. PM Modi also handed over 3,300 social housing units, vehicles for security forces, and medical aid kits. He and President Muizzu jointly inaugurated infrastructure projects and pledged cooperation on climate, disaster risk, and renewable energy. The visit also marked 60 years of Maldives' independence and India-Maldives diplomatic ties. PM Modi called the agreements a reflection of India's 'Neighbourhood First' approach and long-standing friendship with the island nation.


Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Invite to VCs part of saffronising universities: Govindan
Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan said it was shameful for vice-chancellors to attend an RSS-organised Gyan Sabha attended by its chief Mohan Bhagawat. Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Govindan said the party would strongly oppose VCs attending the event aimed at continuing the state's saffronisation or communalisation. Inviting VCs was part of continuing saffronisation of universities, he added. "When EMS Namboodiripad was the chief minister, Kerala University vice-chancellor sought an appointment. But EMS said CM should ideally visit the VC. This is the tradition from which we come. But now, VCs are taking part in RSS meetings with enthusiasm. We strongly condemn this," he said. "Governor's saffronisation move has reached Sanskrit University. RSS members are notified as members of the syndicate. In Calicut and Veterinary University, the governor wants to induct Sangh Parivar members," Govindan said. Students' unions are protesting but UDF is not doing anything against saffronisation, something to be noted, he said. UDF seems ready to join hands with any religious supporters to weaken LDF, he alleged. Stating that state should be aware of the agenda, Govindan said society in general, democratic organisations and those inclined towards democracy are protesting against communalisation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 World's Prettiest Star In The History Half Eddie Read More Undo Govindan said US President Donald Trump urging companies not to employ Indians and the Indo-UK deal, which cut import duties, will adversely affect Kerala. "Trump's declaration violates personal rights and is unsuitable for a modern society. Kerala will be affected the most because educated youth work in different sectors across the world. Jobs are being denied to them. Despite such heinous decisions by US, including on tariffs, Indian govt is towing the line of imperialists. The India-UK agreement, which has come into force, will impact state's general and agri economy," he said. "As per the agreement, import tariff will come down from 15% to 3%. This will affect Kerala in the long run. It will lead to uncontrolled imports to the country, including to Kerala. Despite this, central govt decided not to do anything about this," he added. Meanwhile, Fraternity Movement, the students' wing of Welfare Party, of Jamaat-e-Islami, said they would resort to strong protests if the vice-chancellors attended the RSS meet. In a statement, Fraternity Movement said they wouldn't allow the 'Hindutva-ization' of higher education sector.


News18
35 minutes ago
- News18
Ceasefire With Pakistan Was Bilateral Decision, MEA Tells Parliament, Rejects Trump's Claims
Last Updated: Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh categorically denied any US role in facilitating the ceasefire Amid claims by US President Donald Trump that he was solely responsible for brokering peace between India and Pakistan, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has clarified in Parliament that the ceasefire agreement of May 10 was entirely a bilateral decision reached after direct military-level talks initiated by Pakistan. Responding to a series of pointed questions from Congress MP Mohammed Javed, TMC MP Mala Roy, and others, the MEA laid out a detailed timeline of events. It stated that by May 8, India had successfully achieved its primary military objectives, including dismantling terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. From April 22 to May 10, Indian diplomats engaged in consultations with several global partners, including the United States. However, India consistently communicated that its actions were strategic, deliberate, and aimed at avoiding unnecessary escalation. Crucially, on May 9, Indian officials informed US Vice President JD Vance that any large-scale retaliation from Pakistan would be met with a firm and decisive Indian response. In Parliament, minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh categorically denied any US role in facilitating the ceasefire. He dismissed Trump's repeated assertions as baseless, including the claim that India's restraint was influenced by prospective trade deals with the US. Singh underlined that India's position on Kashmir remains unchanged—that it is a bilateral issue not open to third-party mediation, a message also conveyed to the United States President. The clarification comes after Trump, in numerous public appearances and campaign events in the US, claimed credit for 'bringing peace" to South Asia. He suggested his intervention helped prevent war and hinted that trade negotiations may have influenced India's decision to de-escalate. These claims ignited a political debate within India. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, questioned whether India's strategic autonomy had been compromised. In response, external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar firmly rejected the allegations and reiterated that India's military and diplomatic decisions were entirely self-driven. The ceasefire came after Operation Sindoor, India's swift military response targeting terror infrastructure across the LoC and deep inside PoJK, following the Pahalgam terror attack. The government has emphasised that the ceasefire was declared only after its objectives were met, and not due to any external pressures. view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 04:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.