It is a constitutional crisis in Karnataka: Mamata Banerjee

Calling the political chaos in Karnataka as a ‘constitutional crisis’, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raises question on the alleged “horse-trading” in the State.

“In Karnataka,this is a constitutional crisis. The governor is a constitutional post. he cannot act like a political guide. Why he is not calling the Congress-JD(S) when they have already submitted letter with the adequate numbers. A governor should act abiding by the Constitution and not by his personal choice. I endorse all Opposition leaders’ views in this regard. I support Mayawati Ji, Stalin, Chandrababu Naidu and Akhilesh’s opinion on this issue,” said Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Hinting at the Karnataka crisis, she said: “Of late, there are so many instances of horse trading. If this becomes a rule, a bad precedence will be set in the country. It will not only destroy democracy, but the country as well.”

 

Compassion and statesmanship hallmark of Didi presser after huge Panchayat poll win

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, reacting to the Panchayat election results on Thursday evening, said that despite the tie-up between the Opposition parties in some places, including with the Maoists, “The Trinamool has won 90% of the seats where elections were held. This shows how strong we are at the grassroot level.”

“We had candidates in many seats that were uncontested. But the Supreme Court will decide on that. In today’s results, that include the re-polling in about 600 booths which, keep in mind, has not happened before, show that this has been a contest where the CPI(M), Congress, BJP and Maoists have fought together. Even then, Trinamool has won in 90% seats.

“There has been violence and some incidents have taken place. But Bengal panchayat elections are very political. They have been so from the early Left Front rule. We wanted peaceful polling but incidents have taken place, and which are related to both sides. It must be remembered that 10 Trinamool workers have also died. However, a lot of disrespect has been shown, and remarks made that are unconstitutional. We have kept quiet.

“Why did the BSF interfere in the border districts of Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram, bordering the BJP-ruled Jharkhand, and Murshidabad and Malda, bordering Bangladesh? Voting had to be stopped. A lot of money has come in from Assam and Jharkhand. All these will end democracy in the country. The Tripura elections have opened our eyes.

“The Opposition said the filing of nominations was prevented. But over 28,000 Opposition candidates had filed. Then why all these lies? Whenever an incident happened, action was taken. It is very sad for those who have died. We will look after the shahid families, whichever party they may be from.

The presiding officer (of a booth in Raiganj) left early, saying he had a headache. The train driver said his train knocked down a person at the spot where his body was found. The CID is probing the incident. But why are so many accusations flying around? If there was no democracy, then voting would not have taken place for so many seats.

“The BJP-Congress tie-up lost in Murshidabad. It was expected. They will go to any extent. Can you believe that the Maoists are working with the BJP? Lots of injustice have taken place. We want peace. For those who lost, I will say, let us work together.”

She also said monetary help will be provided “in whatever way we can” to the families of those who have lost their lives. On the horse-trading in Karnataka, Mamata Banerjee said, “I will not complain against the BJP or against a particular situation. In general, the situation is bad. Goa, Manipur, and now Karnataka are going that way. Please do not violate the Constitution. Why did the Governor not call Kumaraswamy even after he produced the list of 116 MLAs? This is a constitutional crisis. The Governor cannot decide on the basis of political choice. Democracy must be protected. I spoke with Mayawati ji and Chandrababu Naidu on this. I appeal to the President to please guide the country.”

“There may be differences between political parties. But we must all work for the nation. If regional parties can come together, I will be the happiest,” she concluded.

 

Abhishek features in final episode of FB LIVE, Today 4.30

Trinamool always believes in ‘360 degree communication’. From wall graffiti to street corner meetings and rallies, from door-to-door campaigning to the use of social media – Trinamool lays emphasis on all modes of communication. And no exception was made for the Panchayat polls either.

For the last 12 days, we have been organising Facebook LIVE sessions on our page. The response from the people has been massive. We are thankful to the people for the stupendous outpouring of support.

Today we present to you the last 5tay Panchayat session. Today’s speaker is National President of Trinamool Youth Congress, Abhishek Banerjee. Because of model code of conduct, the LIVE will begin at 4:30 PM instead of 5 PM.

 

 

Seven years of Poriborton: Bengal now the model in development and governance 

May 13 is one of the most important dates in the electoral history of Trinamool Congress. For on this date in 2011, Mamata Banerjee led the party in breaking down the 34-year-old Left citadel and coming to power; again in 2016, on this date, the party returned to power for a second consecutive term, again with a thumping majority.

The mandate of Ma, Mati, Manush has prevailed.

Seven years of running a cash-strapped Government is an inhuman job. However, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has proved more than equal to the task.

Despite a lion’s share of the State’s revenues being taken away by the Centre to service the debt incurred by the Left Front Government, Mamata Banerjee has carried out development in every sector in the State. Unthinkable, yet true.

What has the Government achieved in these seven years? Democracy, peace and progress. Mamata Banerjee has given confidence to the people. There is hope in the air that Bengal can be the best; and it, slowly but surely, is inching its way to the top. From fair price medicine shops to the Kanyashree Scheme, from setting records under the 100 Days’ Work Scheme to massive developments in the Jangalmahal region, Bengal is a national model now.

Seven years ago, Bengal had little to boast about. Now it can boast of Brand Bengal, or Biswa Bangla. Trinamool Congress raised the slogan ‘bodla noy, bodol chai‘ (‘we want change, not revenge’) and has lived up to the principle during the last six years.

 

 

পরিবর্তনের ৭ বছর – বিশ্ব সেরা বাংলা

 

১৩ই মে বাংলার মানুষের কাছে এক ঐতিহাসিক দিন। ২০১১ সালে এই দিনেই বাংলার জনগণের রায়ে ৩৪ বছরের বাম অপশাসনের অবসান ঘটে। ক্ষমতায় আসে মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নেতৃত্বাধীন তৃণমূল কংগ্রেস সরকার। ২০১৬ সালে আবারও বিপুল সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠতা নিয়ে ক্ষমতায় ফেরেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় প্রতিপক্ষদের কুৎসা, অপপ্রচার ও সন্ত্রাসকে জনগণের সাহায্যে পরাস্ত করে।

রাজ্য রাজ্যবাসীর উন্নয়নের প্রতি কতটা দায়বদ্ধতা থাকলে সাত বছর ধরে এই বিপুল দেনার বোঝা বহন করেও এই সার্বিক উন্নয়ন সম্ভব, সেটা প্রমাণ করেছেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়। বামেদের করা ঋণ শোধের জন্য প্রত্যেক বছর এক বিপুল পরিমান অর্থ রাজ্যের কোষাগার থেকে কেটে নিয়ে যাচ্ছে কেন্দ্র সুদ বাবদ। তার ওপর আবার রাজনৈতিক প্রতিহিংসার ফলে রাজ্যের বরাদ্দ অর্থ ঠিকমত পাঠায় না কেন্দ্র। তবুও একনিষ্ঠ ভাবে মা, মাটি, মানুষের সরকার কাজ করে চলেছে রাজ্যের প্রতি ক্ষেত্রে উন্নয়নের জন্য।

বাংলায় গণতন্ত্র স্থাপন হয়েছে। শান্তি ফিরেছে জঙ্গলমহলে। পাহাড়েও উন্নয়নের হাওয়া। একশো দিনের কাজ থেকে শুরু করে কন্যাশ্রী, ন্যায্য মূল্যের ওষুধের দোকান থেকে শুরু করে নির্মল বাংলা অভিযান, ই-গভর্ন্যান্স থেকে কৃষি – সবেতেই সেরা বাংলা।

বাংলা এখন সারা বিশ্বের কাছে একটি মডেল। মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় স্বপ্ন দেখেছেন বিশ্ব বাংলা গড়ার। ‘বদলা নয় বদল চাই’ এর স্লোগান দিয়ে যে যাত্রা শুরু হয়েছিল সেই ২০১১ সালে এখন তা বাংলাকে বিশ্ব সেরা করার অঙ্গীকারে পরিবর্তিত হয়েছে।

 

Doctors are our pride: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister was present at the convocation ceremony of West Bengal Health University. She heaped praises on the doctors and research scholars, while highlighting the work done in the health sector in the last seven years.

 

 

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:

  • The dream of many research scholars will come true today. The convocation is a special day for many. Hard work and sacrifice of several years bears fruit on this day. Your continuous efforts will be honoured. My best wishes to all.
  • The merit of Bengali students is unmatched elsewhere in the country. The health infrastructure of Bengal is also unparalleled.
  • I have written to the Centre about the lapses in NEET papers. How can there be mistakes in the question paper that will determine the future of lakhs of students? This must be pursued.
  • We are proud of our doctors and nurses.
  • 42 new multi super speciality hospitals have been set up.
  • 16 Mother and Child Hubs have been set up. 78 SNCUs and 307 SNSUs have been set up.
  • 115 fair price medicine shops. 85 fair price diagnostic centres. ICCU, HDUs set up in districts.
  • We provide free treatment in hospitals. Even people from other States are coming to Bengal for treatment.
  • From Rs 700 crore the health budget has increased to Rs 8000 crore in seven years.
  • 99% of doctors are honest and hard-working. For the wrong actions of just 1% the entire fraternity has to bear the brunt.
  • We must keep our heads held high and work for the people.
  • Institutional delivery rate has increased from 65% to 95% in six years.
  • We have increased seats in medical colleges by 1400, 9 new medical colleges have been set up.
  • I encourage my new generation to take up research – there are many unexplored avenues. Cancer cure is still not available, high blood sugar is becoming a concern. Research will only take the medical field forward.
  • Bengal will become the best in the world. One day people will say the health infrastructure in Bengal is the best.

Opposition alliance bereft of ideology, only to stop development: Abhishek Banerjee

All India Trinamool Youth Congress Chairperson Abhishek Banerjee addressed a public rally at Khandarui in Dantan-2 block in the district of Paschim Medinipur.

He hit out at the Opposition, saying the CPI(M), BJP and Congress have made an alliance which is bereft of ideology, just to stop the developmental activities taken up by the Trinamool Congress Government. However, the people of the State would show the door to this alliance, he said, adding that opposing Mamata Banerjee is akin to opposing development.

He also said that the BJP will not be able to return to power at the Centre in 2019. Abhishek said, BJP should concentrate on how to win Delhi, and then only turn its attention to Bengal.

Abhishek Banerjee pointed out that many members of the CPI(M) are now campaigning for the saffron party; he also reminded people about the acts of violence committed by the CPI(M) in Nandigram, in Jangalmahal and in many other places. He also said that even after enjoying power for 34 years, the CPI(M) did not bring about any development for Bengal.

Abhishek said the people living in rural areas know what the Trinamool Congress has done for the development of villages for the last five years.

Source: Aajkal

Dr Amit Mitra & fin mins of 6 other States meet to demand amending of ToR of 15th Fin Commission

To protest the Central Government’s decision of changing the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission, of moving the population base year from 1971 to 2011 for determining the States’ share of allocation of the taxes collected by the Centre, the finance ministers of Bengal, Delhi, Punjab, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka met in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, yesterday.

The change in the population base year would discriminate against the States which have done exemplary work in reducing the burden of population, and the States which met yesterday would be among the most affected. As an example, while the average fertility rate of the country is 2.3, the fertility rate of Bengal is 1.6.

On the other hand, States which have not managed to reduce the burden, like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and which, not so coincidentally, as it turns out, are all ruled by the BJP, would be big gainers.

The new ToR, if implemented, would result in Bengal losing between Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 35,000 crore from 2020-2025 (the period of implementation of the 15th Finance Commission). This will cause huge deprivation to the State. Taking all losing States into account, like Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and a few others, the losses would range from, on a conservative basis, Rs 343 crore to Rs 24,000 crore.

Population is one of the primary criteria for determining the share of each State in the divisive pool. All the States and Union Territories are collectively allocated 42 per cent of the Central taxes collected each financial year. The remaining 58 per cent is for the Centre to use for national purposes.

The States which met in Amaravati yesterday are also preparing a joint memorandam to be presented to the Central Government for demanding the amending of the Terms of Reference to remove any discrimination.

Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written a letter to the Centre on the same issue, asking for the changing of the new ToR.

In it, she had also written that not just in reducing population, but also on aspects like 100 Days’ Work (MGNREGA scheme), rural road connectivity and e-tendering, as well as some others, Bengal has been a trend-setter. For quite a few of these, the current Central Government too has showered praise and encouragement.

For Bengal, another important issue to be considered is the fact that the Trinamool Congress Government has to repay the huge debt left behind by the Left Front Government. The burden amounted to a total of Rs 2.35 lakh crore till March 31, 2018. For financial year 2018-19, the amount to be repaid is Rs 48,000 crore.

 

Source: Bartaman

Students in Bengal upset over errors in NEET Bengali question paper

Many students of Bengal appearing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2018 were visibly upset on Sunday, May 6, as they found out that their question papers in Bengali were filled with errors and there were ambiguities in many of the questions. In many cases, there was no proper Bengali translation. Students lost precious time over spelling errors, bizarre words and translation errors.

Over 59,000 students appeared for the examination across the State. There was a palpable sense of anger and dismay outside the exam centres as the students who sat for answering it in Bengali felt they had been wronged. One student, on the condition of anonymity, said, “I have worked so hard to prepare for this exam. Now I feel all my work has gone down the drain. The Centre is penalising us students who have studied in State Board schools. ICSE and CBSE students are getting an unfair advantage while students who have studied in vernacular languages are suffering”.

Trinamool Congress, along with the DMK, were the first to strongly raise their voice over this issue in Parliament.
Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien addressed the HRD Minister and said, “This year in Bengal and Tamil Nadu, out of 56,000 people who took that exam, 40,000 wrote it in Bengali; they got a separate paper, and the results have been disastrous. Those boys and girls, in our two States of Tamil Nadu and Bengal have been deprived”.

In the previous year also there was a furore over the standard of the question paper in most vernacular languages, with the medical aspirants from Bengal and from some other States alleging that their questions were much tougher than the ones in made in English and Hindi.

 

 

BJP has not kept its promises: Abhishek Banerjee

National President of All India Trinamool Youth Congress, Abhishek Banerjee addresses a huge mass rally at Kechenda High School at Khatra on Friday where he slammed the BJP for not fulfilling the promises it made to the people.

He also highlighted the work done by the West Bengal Government in the last seven years. He said: “The work done by Mamata Banerjee led government for establishing peace in Jangalmahal is unprecedented. Not even 10 per cent of this work was done here since independence. To continue the tides of development in Jangalmahal, I appeal to the people to ensure Trinamool wins in every seat in the upcoming three-tier Panchayat polls.”

He also attacked the BJP for not fulfilling the promises it made to the people. He said, “Narendra Modi has failed to deliver the promises it made. They should not seek votes from the people again. People have seen both CPI(M) and BJP in power. None of them delivered their promises. For 34 years, Jangalmahal was a hub of Maoists. There was only bloodshed. Now only peace reigns here. But BJP-ruled States have failed to put an end to Maoist violence. In Bengal, not a single death due to Maoist violence has been reported in the last six years.”

He also alleged that Opposition parties know they cannot win in the elections, so they have gone to court.

 

কথা রাখেনি বিজেপি সরকারঃ অভিষেক বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়

শুক্রবার খাতড়া থানার কেচন্দা হাই স্কুল মাঠে নির্বাচনী জনসভা করেন যুব তৃণমূলের সর্বভারতীয় সভাপতি তথা সাংসদ অভিষেক বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়।

তৃণমূল সরকারের কাজের খতিয়ান তুলে ধরে বলেন, ‘‌মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের সরকার জঙ্গলমহলে শান্তি এবং উন্নয়নকে ত্বরান্বিত করতে যা যা করেছে, তা এককথায় নজিরবিহীন। স্বাধীনতার পর কোনও সরকার জঙ্গলমহল বা এই জেলার জন্য তার ১০ শতাংশ কাজও করেনি। তাই শান্তি এবং উন্নয়নের ধারাকে অব্যাহত রাখতে জঙ্গলমহলবাসী সব ক’‌টি গ্রাম পঞ্চায়েত, পঞ্চয়েত সমিতি এবং জেলা পরিষদে তৃণমূলকে জয়যুক্ত করুন।’‌‌

এদিন বিজেপি–কে কড়া আক্রমণ করলেন যুব তৃণমূল সভাপতি বলেন, ‘‌কথা রাখেনি বিজেপি সরকার। ক্ষমতায় আসার সময় নরেন্দ্র মোদি যা যা প্রতিশ্রুতি দিয়েছিলেন, তার কোনওটাই পালন করতে পারেননি। তাই ওদের উচিত নয় মানুষের কাছে ফের ভোট চাওয়া।’

বিজেপি–সিপিএমের সমালোচনা করে বলেন, ‘‌দুটি রাজনৈতিক দলকেই মানুষ পরীক্ষা করে দেখে নিয়েছেন। এরা যা যা প্রতিশ্রুতি দেয়, তা রক্ষা করতে পারে না। সিপিএমের ৩৪ বছরের রাজত্বে এই জঙ্গলমহল ছিল মাওবাদীদের দখলে। তখন শুধু রক্ত ঝরত এখানে। মানুষের স্বাভাবিক জীবনযাপনের সুযোগ ছিল না। আজ সেই জঙ্গলমহলে নিরবচ্ছিন্ন শান্তি এবং উন্নয়নের জোয়ার বয়ে চলেছে। বিজেপি বলেছিল, তাদের শাসিত রাজ্যগুলি থেকে মাওবাদী উপদ্রব বন্ধ করবে। কিন্তু বিজেপি–‌শাসিত একাধিক রাজ্যে আজও মাওবাদীরা অশান্তি সৃষ্টি করে চলেছে, মানুষ খুন করছে। অথচ গত ৬ বছরে এই রাজ্যে মাওবাদীদের হাতে একজনেরও মৃত্যুর খবর নেই।’‌

তিনি আরও বলেন, ‘‌এই জেলায় কিছু কিছু আসনে তৃণমূল বিনা প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতায় নির্বাচিত হয়েছে। বিরোধীরা বুঝতে পেরেছে, নির্বাচনে লড়ে জিততে পারবে না। তাই তারা নির্বাচন থেকে সরে দাঁড়িয়েছে। তাদের শুভবুদ্ধির উদয় হয়েছে।’‌বিরোধীদের বিরুদ্ধে ভোট বানচালেরও অভিযোগ করে তিনি বলেন, ‘‌জিততে পারবে না বলেই তারা বারে বারে আদালতে যাচ্ছে।’‌

 

 

Reject outright the Opposition’s malicious campaign and unfounded allegations: AITC MPs in letter to President of India

A delegation of AITC Parliamentary Party, along with the family members of party workers killed by BJP in pre-poll violence, today called on the Hon’ble President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Every family member described in detail to the Hon’ble President the horrors unleashed upon them by the Opposition.

Reproduced below is the memorandum in full.

 

May 3, 2018

To
The Hon’ble President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi

Respected President,

At the outset, we, the Members of the Parliament, belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress, would like to convey our highest regards to you.

We would like to apprise you of some issues which have been brought to your kind notice very recently by the Members of the Ruling political party at the Centre, which are distorted and misleading in nature.

Respected Sir, Panchayat election is a local election, where more than 58 thousand booths throughout West Bengal will go for the polls on 14 May 2018. At the time of filing nomination papers, the BJP started spreading rumours and misleading the people, saying that opposition parties are not being allowed to file nominations. This was spread through one particular ‘sponsored’ media group.

The fact that the Opposition has not been able to submit nominations is not at all true, as more than 96 thousand nominations have been filed by the Opposition parties. If they have not been allowed to file nomination papers, how is it possible that more than 2 lakh nominations in total have been filed? Out of these, more than 96 thousand are from the Opposition. During the period of filing nominations, the entire administration from district level to the block level, along with the police officials worked together for the common people.

Respected Sir, few incidents, however, did take place. These have been over-projected through one particular ‘sponsored’ media group to tarnish the image of the Government, which has worked wonders in West Bengal after being voted to power in 2011.

Before 2011, political violence was the maximum in West Bengal. In Jangal Mahal itself, more than 300 people were killed. At that time, man-days lost due to bandhs and strikes were about 78 lakh.

The picture changed dramatically after the All India Trinamool Congress Party came to power in 2011. While Darjeeling and Jangal Mahal are totally peaceful, there is zero man-days loss in the State of West Bengal.

Respected Sir, you would no doubt appreciate that West Bengal now has become Number One in the country in the spheres detailed below:

  • Number One in man-days generation and total expenditure under 100-Days’ Work
  • Number One in Bank Credit Flows to the MSME Sector
  • Number One in the Ease of Doing Business
  • Number One in Minority Scholarships
  • Number One in Minority Loans (for self-employment)
  • Number One in Rural Housing
  • Number One in Rural Connectivity
  • Number One in Skills
  • Number One in Transparency and e-Tendering

 

In order to tarnish the image of West Bengal and to mislead the people by citing some incidents, the BJP got themselves involved in lynching and killing by hiring people from outside the State and fomenting communal violence.

Respected Sir, you will be shocked and saddened to learn that 5 murder cases took place very recently and all the persons killed belong to the All India Trinamool Congress Party. The list of persons killed is given below:

  1. On 11.04.18, around 17.00 hrs, some supporters of TMC Party assembled near Beliaghata Bridge Party Office under Shasan Police Station, Basirhat Police District to celebrate the uncontested victory in c/w the Falti Beliaghata Gram Panchayat. During the celebration, one Rajab Ali of Uttar Falti stabbed one Saifar Rahaman of Dakshin Baidyapur and fled away. The said Saifar expired on the way to hospital.
  2. On 22.04.18, around 05.00 hrs, one Abdul Ali Mondal along with three others all of Nityananda Kati under Basirhat Police Station, North 24 Parganas allegedly murdered one Amirul Mollick of the same area by slashing the throat and dumped the body in the drain near his house. The deceased belongs to TMC Party.
  3. On 14.04.18, around 16.30 hrs, one Kala Das of Fulbari along with 15 others restrained and assaulted one Bablu Sarkar, member of TMC, of Kethi near Nabaganj Bazar under Ghoksadanga Police Station of Coochbehar district, with the intention to kill, while returning home riding a bike. He was taken to the nearest hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on 20.04.2018. Arrest-03.
  4. On 23.04.18, around 11.30 hrs., while one Dildar Khan along with his wife was proceeding towards Suri-I BDO Office under Suri Police Station, Birbhum for filing nomination in respect of his wife as a TMC candidate in c/w ensuring Panchayat Election 2018, some armed BJP supporters led by one Shyamsundar Lorain shot dead the said  Dildar Khan over political rivalry.
  5. On 19.04.18, one Ajit Debnath of Sundarpore Satberia, PS Gopalnagar was shot at night while at home; hesubsequently succumbed to his injuries in hospital on 22.04.18. His wife Padma was also injured in the attack; however, she survived.

 

It is very unfortunate that we have to bring this to your kind attention that in each and every murder, as described above, the BJP is involved.

Respected Sir, we do sincerely hope and know that your high office would appreciate the true situation on the ground perpetrated by a section of political parties opposed to peaceful democratic processes in Bengal. We appeal to you in the best interest of peace and democracy, to outright reject their malicious campaign and unfounded allegations.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Members of Parliament
from All India Trinamool Congress Party

Shri Sudip Bandyopadhyay
Shri Derek O’Brien
Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar
Shri Md Nadimul Hague
Shri Sunil Kumar Mondal
Smt Pratima Mondal
Dr Uma Saren
Shri Partha Pratim Ray