Amid a record-breaking turnout, Abhishek described the crowd as “historic,” asserting that the TMCP had shattered all previous attendance records. “The kind of passion and unity we saw today proves that the BJP doesn’t stand a chance—not even against TMCP, let alone against our senior leaders or block presidents,” he said.

Taking a direct dig at a BJP rally held earlier this month at the same venue, he remarked, “Whether it was a rally or a circus on August 11, it was hard to differentiate.” His comments drew loud cheers from students gathered at the site.

Reinforcing Trinamool’s criticism of the Centre, Abhishek revisited the pending RG case and asked why the Aparajita Bill still hasn’t been passed. “Why is this delay happening? Who is blocking justice? These questions must be answered,” he demanded from the stage, suggesting systemic delays and discrimination.

Abhishek also lauded the Trinamool government for settling pending dues of 69 lakh job card holders in the state, calling it a significant milestone that reflects the state’s commitment to the underprivileged and working class. “If we can fight and win for these 69 lakh, we can fight for the 10 crore Bengalis being insulted every day,” he asserted.

In a strong cultural and political rebuttal to recurring narratives targeting Bengalis, he criticized those who label people from the state as “Bangladeshis” or question the legitimacy of the Bengali language. “We will answer those who dare to say that Bengali is not a language,” he thundered, rallying students to rise against such divisive propaganda.

The TMCP rally became a launching pad for Abhishek Banerjee to energize the party’s youth base while issuing strong warnings to political rivals. With growing prominence in the party’s leadership structure, his speech reflected a fusion of assertive politics, generational change, and continuity in the party’s core message.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Aug 29 2025, Kolkata : At the massive Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) Foundation Day rally held today at Mayo Road, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee delivered a fiery and emotional speech, touching upon her personal political struggles, institutional challenges, and Bengal’s development milestones.

Addressing a sea of supporters, Mamata Banerjee launched a direct attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of partisan behaviour. She alleged that forces she called “high-voltage viruses” were “violently withholding funds” and working in collaboration with what she termed “SIR” to strip citizens of their voting rights. “It is unfortunate that the Election Commission is playing someone’s lollipop,” she said, criticising what she sees as politically motivated targeting of migrant workers and voters.

Mamata Banerjee drew a sharp contrast between her government’s treatment of migrant labourers and that of others. “They call 22 lakh migrant workers names and torture them. But here in Bengal, we support 1.5 crore migrant workers and provide them with dignity and jobs,” she asserted, adding that under her leadership, the state had created employment for 2 crore individuals.

Revisiting her early political activism, Banerjee shared a chilling account of a near-death experience during a college election in Kolkata. She recalled how Communist Party goons allegedly abducted two boys during her speech at Ashutosh College. “I went to drink water and saw them taking the boys away. I grabbed one by the collar, but they chased me with a pipe gun,” she recounted. She described how local shopkeepers from a nearby restaurant, Srihari Mishtanna Bhandar, sheltered her. “Had they not hidden me, I wouldn’t have survived that day,” she said, visibly emotional.

Amid the political commentary, Banerjee also underscored the strides made by her administration in education. “We have spent ₹69,000 crore on building Bengal’s educational infrastructure. Kanyashree has won the highest international awards,” she stated, proudly claiming that her government’s initiatives under the leadership of Subrata Bakshi have transformed the state’s educational landscape.

She concluded by reaffirming her deep-rooted connection with the people of Bengal, saying, “My Bengali land is the best of all states. I have travelled the world, but no one knows this country better than I do.”

The rally, marking TMCP’s foundation day, served as more than just a student gathering — it became a platform for Mamata Banerjee to reassert her leadership, defend the values of her government, and issue a sharp critique of her political opponents and federal institutions.

Sources indicate that Abhishek Banerjee, TMC’s All India General Secretary, has issued a clear and uncompromising directive to the district leadership: win all six assembly seats in South Dinajpur in the upcoming elections. The message, delivered during a recent organisational review, is being interpreted as both a challenge to BJP dominance in North Bengal and a matter of prestige for the ruling party.

Trinamool’s strategy appears to involve a detailed analysis of past electoral setbacks. Abhishek has reportedly ordered a constituency-wise review to identify the reasons behind previous losses, assess the impact of internal factionalism, and evaluate the performance of district leaders. The instruction is to pinpoint not just where the party fell short, but also why and who contributed to those outcomes.

Despite South Dinajpur being considered a relatively small district, its political significance is far greater. Known as Sukanta Majumdar’s home turf, the area holds symbolic weight for the BJP. The TMC’s decision to go all in on the district underscores its desire to reclaim ground and demonstrate strength in what has historically been a BJP-leaning region within North Bengal.

Court officials confirmed that Banerjee’s appearance was to sign and submit a counter affidavit in response to a petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Abhijit Das, who had contested against him in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Diamond Harbour. Several Trinamool lawyers greeted Banerjee at the court premises, with some even taking photographs with him before he departed.

Das had moved the Calcutta High Court last year, challenging the results of the Diamond Harbour constituency and alleging irregularities during the election. In the 2024 polls, Banerjee secured his third consecutive victory with 10,48,230 votes, while Das polled 3,37,300. The margin of 7,10,930 votes not only gave Banerjee a landslide win but also set a record in West Bengal for the highest margin of victory in that election.

The case gained renewed attention in April this year when the High Court directed the preservation of all election-related materials, including data, CCTV footage, and digital records from the constituency. The Election Commission and the district electoral officer were specifically instructed to maintain these records.

On August 19, the Calcutta High Court warned that an ex parte order could be passed against Banerjee if he failed to respond to the petition. While his legal team requested additional time, the court set August 28 as the final deadline for filing his reply. Monday’s court appearance was therefore crucial, as Banerjee formally filed his counter affidavit ahead of the deadline. The court has now scheduled the next hearing for September 4.

The issue has also taken on a political dimension in recent weeks. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Thakur alleged at a press conference that a large number of ineligible voters were included in Diamond Harbour’s rolls. Trinamool Congress countered this claim, stating that Banerjee’s representatives had visited Thakur’s residence with a pen drive reportedly containing video evidence and documents refuting the allegations. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari later echoed similar concerns, adding further weight to the opposition’s challenge.

With the matter once again active before the High Court and the assembly elections approaching, the political spotlight has returned sharply to Diamond Harbour. Banerjee’s massive 2024 victory margin remains both a point of pride for the Trinamool Congress and a source of dispute for his rivals, making the outcome of the legal proceedings significant for Bengal’s evolving political narrative.

Administrative Meetings and Project Launches Set to Begin in Burdwan on August 26

According to official sources, the Chief Minister will reach Burdwan on Tuesday and hold a comprehensive administrative meeting at 12 noon at the Burdwan Municipal Boys’ High School ground. The meeting will bring together senior administrative officials, elected representatives including MPs, MLAs, and other public figures from both East and West Burdwan districts.

Alongside the administrative deliberations, Mamata Banerjee will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for six major development projects in the two districts. Additionally, she is expected to hand over land deeds (pattas) to several beneficiaries during the program, furthering the government’s commitment to inclusive development and welfare delivery.

The significance of the visit goes beyond governance. With the Assembly elections less than a year away, political parties are beginning to ramp up their field-level preparations. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is moving swiftly to fortify its organizational structure, while the opposition—particularly the BJP—has also sharpened its focus on Bengal. The BJP, which views Bengal as a high-stakes battleground similar to Bihar, has already had the Prime Minister visit the state thrice this year.

Mamata Banerjee’s recent district tours reflect a two-pronged approach: reviewing ongoing administrative work and signaling political intent. Following her visit to Birbhum, a district considered a traditional TMC stronghold but recently fraught with internal challenges involving leaders such as Anubrata Mondal and Kajol Sheikh, she now turns her attention to Burdwan, a region considered more politically stable but not without its undercurrents.

Although Burdwan has not witnessed the same factional disputes as Birbhum, the shadow of internal dynamics remains, prompting the TMC to begin early groundwork. With memories of internal friction still fresh, the leadership is keen to avoid any surprises during the election season.

Ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit, district authorities have been conducting field inspections, particularly at the venue for Tuesday’s meeting. On Thursday, top officials personally visited the Burdwan Municipal Boys’ High School ground to review security, logistics, and crowd management plans. Reports confirm that security arrangements are being strengthened, and coordination meetings among police and civil administration are already underway.

District TMC President and MLA Rabindranath Chattopadhyay confirmed the preparations, stating that “the Chief Minister will hold a joint administrative meeting for East and West Burdwan on August 26 at 12 noon. She will inaugurate projects, lay foundation stones, and hand over pattas to eligible beneficiaries.”

War of Words Escalates Ahead of Polls as Subhendu Adhikari Faces Renewed Allegations

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews | Kolkata | August 23, 2025 : 

The political temperature in West Bengal surged yet again following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fiery speech from Dum Dum, where he launched a scathing attack on jailed Trinamool Congress ministers Partha Chatterjee and Jyotipriya Mallick over corruption. Within hours, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) struck back—general secretary and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, along with senior leader Dr. Shashi Panja, hit back at the BJP by publicly resurfacing the Narada sting video implicating opposition leader Subhendu Adhikari, a former TMC heavyweight now with the BJP.

In his speech earlier in the day, the Prime Minister targeted the controversial ‘Ministry Abolition’ Bill, using it as a platform to highlight alleged corruption among TMC leaders. Without naming them directly, Modi pointed to Partha Chatterjee, arrested in the teacher recruitment scam, and Jyotipriya Mallick, implicated in the ration distribution corruption case. “They did not step down even after being arrested,” he said, accusing the TMC leadership of having no regard for public accountability and adding that “the public is being cheated.”

He further issued a stern warning, stating, “Insult to the Constitution will not be tolerated,” reinforcing his party’s anti-corruption narrative ahead of the upcoming elections.

The TMC’s counteroffensive was swift and calculated. From the party headquarters at Trinamool Bhavan, Kunal Ghosh blasted the Prime Minister’s remarks, stating, “Narendra Modi is throwing stones while sitting in a glass house. The people he shares the stage with also face serious corruption allegations.” Ghosh then played a video clip from the Narada sting operation, which had previously shown several political figures, including Subhendu Adhikari, allegedly accepting bribes on camera.

Dr. Shashi Panja, standing alongside Ghosh, reinforced the party’s stance by questioning the BJP’s moral authority: “If the Prime Minister wants to talk about corruption, he should first address the presence of those with tainted records within his own party.”

The Narada sting, though years old, remains a politically potent symbol in Bengal’s high-stakes electoral landscape. While Subhendu Adhikari has denied any wrongdoing, the footage continues to be a thorn in the BJP’s side—especially when used strategically by the TMC to blunt anti-corruption criticisms.

Today’s exchange marks yet another chapter in the intensifying political rivalry between Bengal’s ruling party and the BJP, which continues to sharpen its focus on the state ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. With both parties trading charges of corruption, the narrative on governance, accountability, and ethics is likely to remain at the forefront of public debate in the coming months.

The contentious bill mandates that if the Prime Minister, a Chief Minister, or any minister is arrested and remains in police custody for 30 consecutive days on charges of serious crimes, the individual would be forced to resign from office on the 31st day. The matter has now been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for scrutiny.

Banerjee, however, raised strong objections, claiming that such a clause undermines judicial authority. “If someone has to resign on the 31st day, then the accused will not even get an opportunity to defend himself. Then there is no need for the courts at all. This amounts to showing a thumbs down to the judicial system,” he told the media.

He further argued that the bill was politically motivated, designed to target opposition leaders while shielding ruling party members. “How can the opposition be eliminated? By arresting and jailing leaders, and when that is not enough, this bill is being passed,” Banerjee remarked.

Citing data, the TMC MP claimed that “28 Union Cabinet ministers are facing various cases, including 19 with serious allegations like murder and crimes against women.” He questioned whether the provisions of the bill would be applied uniformly, noting that in multiple instances, investigations against leaders accused of wrongdoing had been halted once they joined the BJP.

In a pointed challenge to the ruling party, Banerjee sarcastically proposed a counter-condition: “Why wait for 31 days? Reduce the time to 15 days, we will support you. But there will be a condition—if the guilt is not proven, then the investigating officer must spend double that time in jail.”

The TMC leader also referred to the government’s recent setback in the Supreme Court regarding the SIR (Special Investigation Report), alleging that the Centre was attempting to divert attention from it by pushing through the controversial legislation.

Meanwhile, opposition MPs in Parliament protested the bill’s introduction, alleging that it trampled on the constitutional principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” weakened federalism, and could be easily misused for political vendetta. Despite the uproar, the bill has been sent to the JPC, which is expected to submit its report in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

As the political battle lines sharpen, the amendment bill—framed by the Centre as a measure to uphold morality in public life—is emerging as a flashpoint in the broader contest between the ruling BJP and opposition parties ahead of the next phase of legislative debates.

The development triggered sharp criticism from opposition benches, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee strongly attacking the Centre. Taking to social media, Banerjee accused the government of undermining federalism and misusing legislative powers. He alleged that the Centre’s real intention was to destabilize elected state governments under the guise of morality in public life.

In his post, Banerjee wrote that the government had “proven itself to be anti-people, anti-farmer, anti-poor, anti-Scheduled Castes, anti-tribals, anti-OBC, anti-federal and above all anti-India,” further alleging that it was treating the country as “private property” and “selling the Constitution.” He also questioned the government’s stance on national security, remarking that while it makes lofty speeches, it shows “no real initiative when it comes to protecting India’s sovereignty and borders, particularly in relation to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).”

According to the provisions outlined, if a prime minister, chief minister, or minister is arrested and remains in police custody for 30 days on serious charges, the head of state—either the President for the Union government or the Governor in the case of a state—would be empowered to act on the matter. If convicted with a sentence exceeding five years, the individual could be removed from ministerial office altogether.

The Lok Sabha session witnessed chaotic scenes following the introduction of the bills around 2 pm. Opposition MPs from Congress, TMC, AIMIM, and other parties stormed into the well of the House, raised slogans, and even tore up copies of the draft legislation in front of Amit Shah. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Ravneet Singh Bittu intervened to prevent opposition lawmakers from marching closer to the Home Minister’s bench.

Opposition leaders including K C Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Asaduddin Owaisi, and N K Premachandran argued that the proposal ran contrary to constitutional principles and the federal structure. They also claimed it overturned the jurisprudential doctrine of “innocent until proven guilty” and could potentially be weaponized for political vendetta, thereby threatening to convert India into a “police state.”

In a fiery exchange, Venugopal questioned Shah’s moral authority by pointing to his 2010 arrest in Gujarat. Shah, however, retorted that he had resigned on “moral grounds” prior to the arrest, insisting the allegations were false and that he did not return to office until fully discharged by the courts. “What are they teaching us about morality? I had resigned before my arrest. I want moral values to rise. We cannot be so shameless as to continue holding constitutional positions while facing serious charges,” Shah responded.

Despite the uproar, the bills were referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament comprising 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The committee is expected to submit its report by the end of the first week of the next parliamentary session, likely in November 2025.

The three bills introduced on Wednesday were the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

With the Centre defending the move as a step toward higher standards of probity in public life, and the opposition warning of an assault on democratic values, the stage appears set for an intense nationwide debate in the months to come.