Latest news with #KalyanBanerjee
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Threatened with impeachment': TMC says Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned under NDA government pressure; claims Rajnath Singh to be next VP
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee (Image credits: PTI) NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced to resign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior cabinet ministers. He further alleged that Dhankhar was 'threatened' with an impeachment motion if he did not step down. The TMC leader also said that Union defence minister Rajnath Singh "would be made" the next Vice President of India. "Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced to resign by the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers. He was threatened that if he didn't resign before 9 pm on that day, an impeachment motion would be brought against him. This is a pressure tactic by the PM and other Cabinet ministers,' he said as quoted by ANI. 'Earlier, one Election Commissioner resigned just before the elections... It is being heard that now Rajnath Singh will be made vice president," Banerjee added. Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation was announced on Monday evening, coinciding with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament . Dhankhar, in his official resignation letter, cited health concerns as the reason for stepping down. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution," he wrote. Following the resignation, several political leaders questioned its timing and the official explanation, calling the move suspicious. The Congress described the abrupt exit as a 'forced resignation.' Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, as reported by ANI, "The government should answer why he resigned. I can see 'dal mein kuch kaala hai.' His health is fine. He used to defend RSS and BJP always. Who and what is behind his resignation should be known to the country." Deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, also commented on the issue, alleging that PM Modi's remark on Dhankar's exit indicated the decision was political in nature.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Trinamool urges Election Commission to use 2024 as base year for voter list revision
A delegation of the Trinamool Congress on Monday (July 1, 2025) urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to adopt 2024 as the base year for any revision of the electoral rolls. The delegation met the Commission against the backdrop of its decision to undertake a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar, a process the panel has said will eventually be extended to all States. West Bengal is scheduled to go to elections in 2026. 'The voters enrolled till 2024 should remain irrespective of any condition,' Trinamool MP and party Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, told presspersons after the meeting. Mr. Banerjee said that while the ECI stated its objective behind the SIR is to ensure that 'no voter is left behind,' certain recent circulars reflect an approach of 'eligibility first and inclusion later'. He said the party raised concerns over the requirement of birth certificates for verification. 'They [ECI] said those who already are voters will remain voters. If any inclusion is made after this, it will be based on evidence,' Mr. Banerjee said. A 5-member delegation comprising Smt. Chandrima Bhattacharya, Shri Kalyan Banerjee, Shri Firhad Hakim, Shri Aroop Biswas, and Shri Prakash Chik Baraik met with the @ECISVEEP today. They submitted constructive suggestions and raised key concerns to safeguard and strengthen the… — All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 1, 2025 The Trinamool delegation also flagged what it termed the arbitrary inclusion of large numbers of voters in electoral rolls just ahead of elections, citing examples from Haryana and Delhi. 'Only new voters between 18 and 21 years of age should be added ahead of the polls. But how can people aged 50–60 suddenly be part of the bulk voter list? And how can the number of new inclusions rise to 40,000?' Mr. Banerjee asked. The party also expressed concern about the delayed release of voter turnout data. West Bengal Minister and MLA Firhad Hakim, who was part of the delegation, raised the issue of central forces allegedly entering polling booths and influencing voters. 'We proposed to them that if central forces are there, State police should also be present inside the booth. No forces should enter the area where polling is done inside the booths,' Mr. Hakim said.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
New EC rules may pave way for exclusion, manipulation: TMC
1 2 3 Kolkata: Days after CM Mamata Banerjee raised objections to the Election Commission's (EC's) new voter roll guidelines, a five-member Trinamool delegation on Tuesday met EC officials at the poll body's headquarters in Delhi and submitted a memorandum outlining multiple concerns, and said the new directives could pave way for exclusion and manipulation of voter lists ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in Bengal. The delegation included Kalyan Banerjee, Firhad Hakim, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Arup Biswas and Prakashchik Baraik. At the meeting, it questioned recent circulars mandating birth certificates of voters' parents and other documents as part of the special summary revision. The party called the directive "impractical" and potentially exclusionary. Addressing the media after the meeting, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "The EC claims the motive is to ensure no voter is left behind, but the circulars imply the opposite — eligibility is being prioritised over inclusion. We made it clear that those who were voters in 2024 should continue to remain on the rolls. The EC assured us that voters already enrolled will not be removed arbitrarily." You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata On the requirement of birth certificates for those born between 1987 and 2003, Banerjee said EC clarified that such documents would not be mandatory for already-enrolled voters. He added that any new additions would be subject to verification but not on the basis of one document alone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Bother With An Expensive Will (Do This Instead) Local Will Finder Undo TMC also raised concerns about voters being added in bulk suddenly just before the elections, especially individuals aged between 50 and 60 years. The party alleged that this had occurred in Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana. Banerjee said the party had asked EC for a cut-off for inclusion of such voters and sought a mechanism by which political parties are allowed to verify voters being added. "We are not against new voters but they should be legitimate and within the 18-21 age-group. The inclusion of thousands of older voters compromises the process," he added. On Aadhaar linking and submission of photos at the booth level, TMC said it objected to what it described as a breach of privacy. According to the delegation, EC officials said Aadhaar linking was voluntary and that it would review the process to safeguard identity data. Bengal minister and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim alleged that central forces often enter polling booths and influence voters. "We have asked that if central forces are deployed, state police are also present for balance. No force should enter the actual voting area unless there's unrest," he said. The TMC delegation also flagged delays in publication of voter turnout data and raised concerns about institutional neutrality, citing the Bengal governor's visits to politically-sensitive areas during elections. It also demanded action against Union home minister Amit Shah for making a political speech during an official programme ahead of a bypoll. "EC said they would examine the issue," said Hakim. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
India Today
01-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
CBI probe, action against TMC leaders: Lawyer to Chief Justice in Kolkata rape case
An Advocate, Satyam Singh Rajput, has sought directions from the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, urging a judicially monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the women's advocate rape case in Kolkata and action against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Madan his letter to the Chief Justice of India, he has sought suo moto cognisance of the immediate transfer of the case to the CBI and calls for a time-bound probe under the Supreme Court's direct supervision and appropriate action against TMC leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra, accusing them of victim-shaming and making derogatory has also demanded protection for the victim, her family, all witnesses, individuals possessing relevant information, and legal representatives or activists involved in the matter. In addition, the lawyer has urged the State of West Bengal to implement several safety measures in educational institutions, including:Mandatory CCTV surveillance with 24/7 monitoringDedicated women's safety cellsRegular security audits and vulnerability assessmentsEmergency response systems and helplinesMandatory background verification of all staffRegular safety awareness programs and trainingThe petition also seeks an interim compensation of Rs 50 lakhs from the state to the victim for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and legal expenses, pending final determination of has also called for a magisterial inquiry into institutional failures that enabled the crime and disciplinary action against those responsible.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#West Bengal
India Today
30-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kolkata rape case: Political showdown over Trimool leaders' remarks
This episode of To The Point discusses the Kolkata law college student gang rape case that has taken a political turn, with the BJP releasing photos alleging links between the accused and TMC leaders. A BJP fact-finding team visited Bengal, escalating the political showdown. TMC leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Madan Mitra made controversial statements seemingly blaming the victim. The debate explores political connections, police inaction, and institutional failures in addressing such crimes. Several cases of violence against women have been reported across India, including a law student in West Bengal allegedly gang-raped by men associated with the ruling party. And in Tamil Nadu, a newly-wed woman died by suicide after facing dowry harassment, and Karnataka saw the discovery of a woman's body in a garbage truck, with police suspecting sexual assault. These incidents have sparked discussions on women's safety, anti-dowry laws, and the need for stricter implementation of existing laws.
