Amid TMC merger buzz, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut urges NCP (SP) to merge with Congress
Sources said the NCP (SP) remains divided on the issue, with one section favouring a merger with the Congress and another advocating the party’s independent identity. MUMBAI: After reports of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) merging with the Congress, speculation has now emerged about the possibility of the NCP (SP) merging with the grand old party. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that the time has come for regional parties that originated from the Congress, such as the TMC and NCP (SP), to rejoin the Congress if they genuinely want to defeat the BJP. Raut said that the Congress is the party that can lead the fight against the BJP under the leadership of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Therefore, all parties aligned with the Congress should merge with their parent party, he said. According to Raut, such a move would make the Congress a much stronger force in India. Reacting to the suggestion, NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule said the party would consider Raut’s remarks. She said that Raut is a senior leader whose experience is valuable and, therefore, whatever he has suggested would be considered. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to the development, said that parties considering a merger have experienced leadership and do not need anyone’s advice on whether to merge with the Congress. He said that some people in politics offer unsolicited advice even when it is not sought. In this photo from Feb. 7, 2025, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut addresses a press conference at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. ‘Seeking structural changes’: NCP (SP) MP Sule vows to bring bill to stop horse trading “I am sure that the regional parties will not merge with a sinking ship like the Congress party. Congress is no longer as strong a party as it was earlier. Therefore, the regional parties that came out of Congress will not make the mistake and merge with a dying party. “Even though they dare to make a mistake, that would not have an impact on the BJP. In fact, it will create more political space for the BJP so our expansion will continue even though the opposition consolidates,” Fadnavis said. Sources said the NCP (SP) remains divided on the issue, with one section favouring a merger with the Congress and another advocating the party’s independent identity. However, any decision will ultimately rest with Sharad Pawar. The party will first examine the merger proposal in detail, and only then will a final decision be taken, a source said, requesting anonymity. Sudhir Suryawanshi Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Reconsider rejection of full expansion of INS Baaz runway: Jairam Ramesh to Rajnath on Great Nicobar project
Jairam Ramesh said thar has written over the past two years on at least four different occasions highlighting the demonstrably “dubious nature” of the environmental impact assessment of the Great Nicobar Island Project in its totality. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the Great Nicobar Island Project and urged him to reconsider the rejection of the full expansion of the INS Baaz runway. In his latest letter to Singh, the former environment minister said he had written to the Defence Minister on May 16, 2026 on the Great Nicobar Island Project suggesting that in order to minimise its adverse ecological impacts and also meet strategic objectives, the expansion of the existing runway at INS Baaz on Campbell Bay could be considered as an alternative to building a greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar area of Great Nicobar Island. “Subsequently, on June 8, 2026 there were reports in the media attributed to ‘defence ministry sources’ saying that the runway expansion at INS Baaz would be limited because lengthening to beyond 4500 feet will have adverse ecological impacts,” Ramesh pointed out. “I appreciate the sudden worry for ecological protection but please permit me to submit the following facts for your consideration: The proposed site at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar needs cutting of two forest-covered hills of 115 metres. The proposed site comprises around 225 acres of protected forest and 130 acres of deemed forest–which are part of the territory of the Shompen tribal community and are currently being used by them,” Ramesh said in his letter. He further pointed out that the proposed site sits directly on about 142 acres of Island Coastal Zone Regulation (ICRZ)-1A which enjoy the highest protection under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 and that include turtle nesting beaches, corals and nesting grounds of the endangered Nicobar Megapode. “The proposed site involves reclamation of a creek and relocation of saltwater crocodiles. The proposed site sits directly on two villages where 234 ex-servicemen settler families reside and they will have to undergo relocation for the third time in recent years,” Ramesh said. He also argued that the proposed site is in a largely undisturbed, pristine forest bordered by a coastline with ecologically sensitive areas “The proposed site has not been subject to any serious and systematic environmental impact assessment especially since Great Nicobar has been designated as an Important Bird Area, an Endemic Bird Area and also holds the significance of being situated on two international bird flyways–the Central Asian and the East Asian- Australasian bird Flyways–that are accessed every year by several migratory species of birds that flock Great Nicobar seasonally,” he pointed out. Noting that the proposed airport site at Galathea Bay was first declared as a dual- purpose airport by the Union Home Ministry on March 30, 2022, Ramesh said it has taken the Defence Ministry over six years to make some statement on it, albeit verbally and anonymously. “It has been compelled to do so because the disastrous ecological impacts of the Great Nicobar Island Project which includes the proposed airport, in addition to the transshipment port, township and other facilities, have become all-too-evident and are inviting wide-spread concern,” the Congress general secretary in-charge communications said. “In sum, I request you to reconsider your rejection of the full expansion of the INS Baaz runway that has been recommended by some distinguished naval personnel themselves,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader copied the letter to the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, to whom, Ramesh said, he has written over the past two years on at least four different occasions highlighting the demonstrably “dubious nature” of the environmental impact assessment of the Great Nicobar Island Project in its totality. Ramesh’s letter to Singh comes days after Defence Ministry sources said India is undertaking the Great Nicobar Island project to advance its strategic maritime and economic interests. They dismissed its critics as suffering from “geographical illiteracy”. The sources had said the runway at the INS Baaz, the Indian naval air station, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will not be part of the GNI project. The runway of INS Baaz was recently expanded to 4,500 ft and its further expansion requires significant land reclamation and it will impact tribal area, flora and fauna, they had said. The GNI development project is a strategically significant national initiative designed to safeguard India’s maritime interest, the sources had said. The government is planning to build an international container transshipment port (ICTP), a civilian-cum-naval airport, a township and a power plant under the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said the government’s argument that the Great Nicobar Island project is about defence and a transshipment port is a “lie”, and alleged that it is actually about benefiting one businessman so that he can build hotels and casinos on India’s most irreplaceable ecological land. Gandhi had also released an over 16-minute video earlier this month based on his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in late April and urged people to sign a petition to tell the government – “we choose green over greed”. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Will fight under Kharge, Rahul’: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring hints at no CM face for Congress in 2027 Punjab polls
Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday hinted at the party not contesting the 2027 assembly elections with a CM face, and instead planning to fall back on its national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi. Interacting with media, Warring said the Congress would fight under the leadership of Kharge and Rahul, and there was no doubt about it. Asked about his own role, he said he always was a worker of the party and would continue to serve it as one. Warring’s statement comes amid claims by the opposition that there were too many contenders for the CM face in the Congress. In the 2017 assembly elections, which it had won, the Congress had projected Capt Amarinder Singh, who has since moved to the BJP, as its CM face. In 2022, the party’s choice was Charanjit Singh Channi. Asserting that the Congress was in a commanding position, Warring said the Congress would form the next govt in Punjab. “Every Congress worker in the state wants it and is committed to achieving it,” he added. Replying to another question on AAP leaders describing the Akalis and the BJP as the “chitta party” and the “ED party”, respectively, Warring said the BJP was undoubtedly misusing central agencies against opposition leaders across the country. “However, AAP is no different. It misuses the vigilance bureau against its political opponents in Punjab. If BJP is the ‘ED party’, AAP is the ‘vigilance party’,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Merger, alliance or just help? Buzz after back-to-back Congress-TMC huddles in Delhi
KOLKATA: Congress and Trinamool Congress on Wednesday denied there was any proposal or discussion about the Mamata Banerjee-headed party merging with Congress even as TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee met Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi for 90 minutes at 10, Janpath. On Tuesday, Mamata and Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi were in a huddle for close to an hour. Massively weakened after Bengal polls and still haemorrhaging from large-scale exodus of MLAs and MPs, Trinamool has dropped its anti-Congress rhetoric and opposition to a Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA alliance and is hoping that Congress will stand by it in its hour of need. A Trinamool senior privy to the ongoing developments in Delhi, termed as “baseless” reports that Congress had broached merger talks. He also did not want to comment on a possible TMC-Congress alliance in Bengal for the upcoming bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats and Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. “Too early to say,” he said, adding, “As two parties, the discussions were not about merger but how we work together.” Terms of seven municipal corporations, including Kolkata and Bidhannagar, and 118 municipalities end between Nov 2026 and Feb 2027. After the May 4 results, almost all Trinamool-controlled civic bodies are defunct due to mass resignations, with administrators overseeing day-to-day functioning. Bengal panchayat polls are scheduled in 2028. Sharing on X a photo from the Rahul-Abhishek meeting, Trinamool said, “The meeting reflected a shared commitment to safeguarding democracy, upholding constitutional values and working for welfare of every Indian. INDIA (bloc) stands united.” Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X that reports on what supposedly transpired in the meeting between Sonia and Mamata on Tuesday were “completely inaccurate”. “The meeting was very cordial and many personal matters were talked about, given the long relationship they have had,” he said. Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh refused to speak on the supposed “merger” talks. “The leadership has spoken and beyond that we cannot say any-thing,” he said. Mamata Banerjee came to office in Bengal in 2011 with help from Congress, which was even a part of its cabinet. But the two parted ways in 2012 and have since had a testy relationship. The growing speculation over a possible rapprochement exposed fault lines within Congress’ Bengal unit. Congress veterans Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Abdul Mannan emerged as the most vocal opponents of any such move. “I have full faith in the Congress leadership. No alliance with Mamata Banerjee. If you mix sewage water with clean water, it will pollute the clean water,” Mannan said. Chowdhury, a bitter critic of Mamata, struck an even sharper note. “The same Mamata Banerjee who once broke Congress and ensured that the party is wiped out from Bengal, now finds herself compelled to seek support of the Gandhi family,” he said. State Congress chief Shubhankar Sarkar adopted a more calibrated stance. “Anyone who accepts Rahul Gandhi as future PM and head of Congress and the opposition is welcome to the party,” he said. At the same time, he appeared to draw a distinction between Mamata and those facing allegations of corruption. “The doors are not open for those trying to take shelter under the Congress umbrella merely to escape corruption charges,” he said. But even striking an alliance could be tough for Trinamool at the moment. Rebel MLA and Bengal LoP Ritabrata Banerjee said the faction headed by him was the “real Trinamool Congress” and “we are not merging” with Congress. “The number of MLAs with us has already crossed 64. It may become 65 tomorrow when another MLA joins us. Naturally, we are the real Trinamool. Who meets whom in Delhi is their matter and immaterial to us,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Calcutta HC grants Abhishek Banerjee interim relief in signature forgery case
Justice Kausik Chanda granted the relief for three weeks and directed Banerjee to appear before the CID at its headquarters, Bhabani Bhaban, in Kolkata by 6 pm on Thursday for questioning. KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday interim protection from coercive action to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in a signature forgery case linked to the party’s choice of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The court also directed him to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the state police at Bhabani Bhaban by 6 pm to face the agency probing the case. It’s not yet known whether the nephew of the Trinamool Congress supremo and former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will appear before the CID at Bhabani Bhaban. He went to Delhi on Saturday and met the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and is expected to return to Kolkata this afternoon. While hearing the case at the High Court on Thursday, Justice Kausik Chanda directed Abhishek Banerjee to appear before the CID at its Bhabani Bhaban headquarters in Kolkata by 6 pm on Thursday for questioning in the matter. The court also granted him protection from any coercive action for three weeks. The MP’s lawyer informed the court that Abhishek, the number two after Mamata in the Trinamool Congress, was scheduled to arrive in Kolkata from Delhi at around 4 pm. The court will hear the case again after two weeks. The CID has already served three notices separately to Abhishek asking him to appear before the investigating agency at Bhabani Bhaban but he didn’t face it showing medical ground and his busy schedules in Delhi till 9 June. He was brought under the scanner of the CID after serious allegations surrounding a meeting convened by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence to discuss the party’s choice for the Leader of Opposition post in the House. Abhishek wrote a letter armed with the meeting’s resolution signed by the party MLAs to the speaker Rathindranath Bose selecting Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, veteran legislator from the Ballygunj constituency in the city, as the LoP in the Trinamool legislature party. The controversy erupted after claims surfaced that signatures of several MLAs were affixed to related resolution copy despite their absence from the meeting, sparking a political row in West Bengal and prompting an investigation into alleged forgery. Based on the complaint lodged by two rebel Trinamool Congress MLAs Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay from Uluberia Purba in Howrah and Sandipan Saha from Entally in the city, with the speaker an FIR was filed by the House with Hare Street police station. With the directive of the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a special investigation team (SIT) under the CID was formed to probe the alleged signature forgery case. The SIT has already interrogated several MLAs who have reportedly admitted that their signatures were affixed to the resolution copy though they absent in the meeting at Kalighat residence of Mamata Banerjee landing Trinamool Congress leadership in trouble particularly at a time when the party is grappling with unprecedented internal crisis after it suffered a crushing defeat to BJP winning only 80 out of 294 seats in the recent assembly polls in the state. Subhendu Maiti Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
No proposal or discussion to merge with Congress: TMC
NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday denied that there was any proposal or discussion about the Mamata Banerjee led party merging with the Congress at a meeting between leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday. The meeting between Rahul and Abhishek at 10, Janpath came a day after TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee met CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Speculation about a merger being deliberated — which TMC and Congress members have termed “bogus” and “baseless” — grew as sources within the rebel TMC camp said it has managed support of at least 19 Lok Sabha MPs — two-thirds of the party’s strength of 28 — and will claim to be representing its parliamentary wing in the House. The development only adds to Mamata’s West Bengal poll setback. “The issue of merger of TMC with Congress and all other speculation around this is all rumours and incorrect. No such thing was discussed,” TMC sources said. Even Congress sources denied any discussion or move for merger. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh made it clear on X that some news reports on what supposedly transpired in the meeting between Sonia and Mamata on Tuesday are “completely inaccurate”. “The meeting was very cordial and many personal matters were talked about, given the long relationship they have had,” he added. On Monday, in an about turn from her past hostility, former Bengal CM Mamata at a INDIA bloc meeting said Congress should take lead in the opposition’s fight against BJP. Photos were also shared by Congress where Mamata and Sonia were seen hugging each other and sharing a warm interaction. Building on the discussions between the TMC chief and CCP chairperson when they met on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi and Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday discussed developments in West Bengal and how the TMC and Congress can coordinate and work together to strengthen their presence in the state. They also discussed the 2029 Lok Sabha polls and how they could strengthen the INDIA bloc and opposition unity to counter the BJP. TMC shared a post on X with a photo from the meeting of Rahul and Abhishek. “The meeting reflected a shared commitment to safeguarding democracy, upholding Constitutional values and working for the welfare of every Indian. INDIA stands united,” the TMC said. Ardent supporters in the Mamata camp were dismissive of the possibility of a merger with the Congress saying that the former West Bengal CM invested her all in the TMC and for now seems determined to rebuild the party rather than give up. Meanwhile, the speculative reports saw Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut suggest that parties like TMC and NCP (SP) which were once part of the Congress should reunite and strengthen the grand old party. News agency PTI reported Raut saying in Mumbai that such reunification was the “need of the hour”. Amid hectic developments, TMC suffered another setback on Wednesday, as its Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev resigned from the party and the Upper House. She is the second RS MP to quit. On Monday, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy had resigned from the Upper House and TMC after levelling allegations against the party. A former Congress leader who had joined the TMC a few years ago, Dev, also met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at his residence in Delhi triggering speculation that she was headed for the BJP. While Dev refused to make any comment on Mamata Banerjee, on reports of her joining the BJP, she told reporters, “when I take a decision I will let you know”. She asserted that she has resigned due to “personal and political reasons”. “I don’t want to be in a situation where I am in two boats at the same time. That is not the right way to do it…because.. the family background and upbringing I have, I have never stayed in one party and served another party,” she said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CM Vijay pays courtesy call on President Murmu, V-P Radhakrishnan; to attend Niti Aayog meet today
The Niti Aayog meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brings together CMs and administrators from across the country to discuss developmental agendas. CHENNAI: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday called on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan in New Delhi. Official sources described the meetings as courtesy calls. The CM was in the national capital where he will attend the meeting of the Governing Council of the Niti Aayog on Thursday. The Niti Aayog meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brings together CMs and administrators from across the country to discuss developmental agendas. This is the CM’s second visit to Delhi within a fortnight. During his first visit on May 27, the CM met PM Modi and submitted a memorandum highlighting important issues connected to Tamil Nadu. CM Vijay also called on Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi at their residence. This was his first meeting with the top Congress leaders after two Congress MLAs assumed office into his Council of Ministers and allocation of one Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress. This meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of speculations that the TVK may join the INDIA bloc following the exit of the DMK from the bloc. Vijay also called on CPI general secretary D Raja at the party headquarters. On June 12, the CM is likely to visit the Kollur Mookambika temple, Udupi, to offer prayers. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kharge convenes ‘urgent meet’ of senior leaders today
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will preside over the meeting, party general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said. NEW DELHI: Congress has called a meeting of its general secretaries, in-charges and state unit chiefs on Thursday during which the the party’s plans will be deliberated upon. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will preside over the meeting, party general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said. “An urgent meeting of AICC general secretaries, in-charges and PCC presidents will be held tomorrow, 11 June, 2026 at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, to discuss current political developments,” he said. The meeting comes in the wake of the TMC’s political crisis. The meeting of LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday fuelled speculations of future ties between the parties. The meeting at 10 Janpath took place a day after TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee met former Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence and discussed ways to further consolidate the opposition alliance. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/theindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TMC denies any discussion between leadership of both parties about merger with Congress at Rahul-Abhishek meeting
NEW DELHI: Dismissing speculation over the possibility of Trinamool Congress merging with Congress as nothing but rumour mongering, those aware of the matters discussed at the meeting between Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee have made it clear that there was no discussion on the issue. “The issue of merger of TMC with Congress and all other speculation around this is all rumours and incorrect. No such thing was discussed,” highly placed sources from TMC aware of matters discussed at the meeting told TOI. The meeting between Gandhi and Banerjee at 10 Janpath was long and lasted for nearly one and half hours. The two discussed developments in West Bengal and how the TMC and Congress can coordinate and work together to strengthen their presence in the state as INDIA bloc allies to counter the BJP which came to power ousting the three term Mamata Banerjee led govt there. The two leaders also discussed the 2029 Lok Sabha polls and how they could coordinate on strengthening the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP in the general elections three years from now. However, given the crisis that has hit the TMC since it lost the elections in West Bengal and the way it is cosying up to Congress, a coming together could be a last resort of survival for the Banerjee outfit. Abhishek Banerjee’s meeting on Wednesday with Rahul Gandhi gains significance as it comes at a time when the TMC is grappling with its worst crisis as it is battling rebellion from its own MPs after a split in the party’s legislature wing in the state. TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee had met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath on Tuesday in what was seen as Banerjee’s attempt to further build on efforts to rally support as her party faces its worst crisis. During the INDIA bloc meeting too on Monday, visuals of Sonia and Banerjee hugging each other and sharing a warm interaction were shared by Congress. Banerjee had urged all the constituents to forget the past and stand united.While no details of the meeting were shared by either party, sources said Banerjee went into the meeting keen to share with Sonia the TMC’s challenges during elections, her views on the future strategy for West Bengal and ways to strengthen the INDIA alliance and opposition unity. These issues figured in the discussions, sources said. At the INDIA bloc meet on Monday, Banerjee has urged the opposition to forget the past and stand united. In an about turn from her past hostility, Banerjee had said at the meet that the Congress should take the lead in the opposition’s fight against the BJP. Meanwhile, in another setback, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev has resigned from the Upper House and party. She is the second RS MP to quit. On Monday, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy had resigned from the Upper House and TMC after levelling allegations against the party. A former Congress leader who had joined the TMC a few years ago, Dev, met Rajya Sabha chairman C P Radhakrishnan and resigned from the Upper House. She also met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at his residence in Delhi. Refusing to make any comment on Mamata Banerjee, Dev said, “what prompted me to take this decision is a long story why I left the party. I don’t want to be in a situation where I am in two boats at the same time.” On reports of her joining the BJP, she said, “When I take a decision I will let you know.” According to news agency PTI, Dev said that she had resigned due to “personal and political reasons” and that “everyone has the right to change their mind, and to decide what kind of politics they want to do.” On Tuesday, TMC had fielded its senior leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Kirti Azad to take on dissident MPs and questioning the claim made by rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of having support of 20 MPs and to have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc that would back the NDA. Demanding that the letter claiming support of 20 MPs should be placed in public domain, Banerjee challenged all dissident MPs to resign from TMC and join BJP. “Those who went to Union minister Bhupender Yadav’s residence and held meetings with West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari have effectively become BJP. Today, their leader is Narendra Modi. If anyone has political morality, they should resign from Parliament and seek a fresh mandate from the people,” Banerjee and Azad said at a press conference held in Delhi on Tuesday morning. “If the rebel MPs claim they have the numbers required under the Tenth Schedule, then why have they not formally merged with the BJP? The truth is that BJP has not officially accepted them despite their efforts to align with it,” the TMC leaders said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition Realignment
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her residence in New Delhi, a day after the two leaders shared a warm embrace at the INDIA bloc meeting. The rare interaction, their first in nearly five years, has fuelled speculation about the future of Congress-TMC relations and the broader opposition strategy against the BJP. While Banerjee reportedly discussed issues related to the Election Commission and opposition unity, analysts remain cautious about reading too much into the meeting, especially in the absence of Rahul Gandhi. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights