Latest news with #Banerjee
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Talks with Pak only on POK: Abhishek in Kuala Lumpur
Kolkata: Despite differences with BJP, political interests can never outweigh national interests, national general secretary said in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Banerjee also insisted that talks with Pakistan can only be on POK. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Interacting with the Indian diaspora, Banerjee said, "I represent the Trinamool Congress, a political party. I may have differences with the party in office, but here I am representing India. I will not let my political interests come in the way of my national interests. When it comes to safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the nation, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with my country." "We were in talks with them (Pakistan) for decades, despite changes in various paradigms and govts. But one thing remains constant – the conflict with Pakistan," Banerjee said. "After what happened on April 22, where 26 people were killed at point-blank range solely based on their religion and gender – although I am an MP from the opposition camp – I want the ruling dispensation to engage in dialogue with Pakistan only to discuss reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, these terror attacks will continue. This is my personal opinion," he added.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amit Shah says Mamata opposed Op Sindoor to ‘appease' votebank; TMC hits back, calls on Home Minister to quit over ‘failures'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of opposing Operation Sindoor to 'appease' the Muslim votebank. Hitting back, Banerjee's Trinamool Congress denied Shah's accusation and called on the Home Minister to resign, taking responsibility for 'all the failures' that led to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam killed 26 civilians on April 22. As part of India's response to the attack, the armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. Addressing BJP workers in Kolkata, Shah linked the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections with national security. He hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'deciding to carry out Operation Sindoor' and came down heavily on the TMC and Banerjee for 'appeasement', which he also blamed for infiltration from Bangladesh. He alleged widespread corruption in the state and also called the recent unrest in Murshidabad a 'state-sponsored riot'. On 'appeasement', Shah said, 'Didi started giving allowance to Imams, but court stopped it. Bangladeshi Rohingyas are infiltrating. They (the state government) do drama of procession on Ram Navami, but Durga Puja immersion is postponed. They give Ramadan leave for Muslim employees.' He also mentioned the ban on screening of controversial film Kerala Story in West Bengal. 'Most importantly, you (Banerjee) are opposing Operation Sindoor to please the Muslim votebank. Tell me, should this appeasement be allowed to continue?' Shah asked the crowd, urging them to resolve to 'uproot the Mamata Banerjee government' in 2026. He alleged that infiltration from Bangladesh was taking place with Banerjee's blessings. 'Bengali votes determine not only the future of Bengal, but are also linked to the nation's security, because Mamata Banerjee has opened the borders of our country for Bangladeshis. Infiltration is happening with her blessings… Only the BJP government can stop infiltration. If you want to stop infiltration, then you should bring the BJP (to power) in Bengal,' the Union Home Minister said. Operation Sindoor was a theme that Shah kept touching on in his speech. 'This is Narendra Modi's government, the BJP's government. I am saying that Operation Sindoor is not over,' he said. 'A few days ago in Pehalgam, terrorists sent by Pakistan killed our innocent citizens in front of their families after asking their religion. Tell me, should those terrorists sent by Pakistan be punished or not? Did Modiji decide to carry out Operation Sindoor or not? We did surgical strikes and air strikes. Now, with Operation Sindoor, we went 100 km inside (Pakistan) and destroyed their (terrorists') headquarters. Hundreds of terrorists have been killed.' 'This is causing pain in Didi's stomach,' Shah alleged. 'I request the mothers and women of Bengal to explain the value of sindoor to Mamata ji in the 2026 election. Mothers and sisters, do explain what it means to insult sindoor.' Reacting to Shah's statements, the TMC accused him of playing politics in the name of Operation Sindoor at a time when TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee is part of a multi-party delegation of MPs who have been sent to foreign countries to appraise governments abroad regarding the strikes in Pakistan. 'The Home Minister has come to Bengal and acts like a BJP worker, using cheap language against our CM. Would any Opposition leader be allowed to talk like this?… Divisiveness is his politics… He is talking about infiltration, can he say how infiltration took place in Pahalgam? He has failed as a Home Minister and must resign,' said TMC MP Sagarika Ghose. 'The Home minister has to take responsibility for all the failures, and must resign. He has alleged that we have spoken against Operation Sindoor, but we have not said anything against Operation Sindoor…,' said state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. During his speech in Kolkata, Shah also criticised Banerjee for opposing the Waqf Amendment Act. The violence in Murshidabad district in April, on the issue of the Waqf amendment, was a 'state-sponsored riot', he said. 'The Home Ministry repeatedly asked for the deployment of the BSF (in Murshidabad). But the government here did not want the BSF. Because if the BSF had come, the Hindus would have been saved… I have no hesitation in saying that the way a minister of the Bengal government was involved in this riot, it was a state-sponsored riot,' Shah said. On the issue of development, Shah said the Modi government has done a lot for West Bengal. 'Along with development, Modiji did not forget the culture of Bengal. For many years, the people of Bengal have been demanding that Bengali be recognised as a classical language… Modiji recognised Bengali as a classical language,' he said, asking why Banerjee, despite having served as a Union minister under the UPA government, had not managed to bring this recognition to the language. 'Mamataji did not even have the manners to thank Modiji for this,' Shah said. Targeting the TMC government over post-poll violence in the state, he said, 'Hundreds of BJP workers were killed in Bengal during the elections and after Didi won. Didi, how long will you save them? Your time is up. The BJP will form the government in 2026.' He also criticised the TMC for claiming that the Centre was not releasing funds for the state. He said that the Modi government released Rs 8,27,000 crore to West Bengal in the last 10 years, and that this was four times what the Congress-led UPA government had released. He expressed confidence that the BJP would come to power in the state in 2026, and told party workers, 'There is just a little more left. You have crossed 40% (vote share), and just 4-5% is needed. Our government will be formed in the next election. In 2017, when I was the BJP president, I said that a BJP government would be formed here. That day has come. Go to every voter in Bengal day and night until 2026.' He ended with an appeal to the people of West Bengal: 'With folded hands, I appeal to the people of Bengal to give Modi a chance.'
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Talks with Pakistan only to reclaim PoJK': Abhishek Banerjee in Malaysia
Abhishek Banerjee (ANI photo) NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee , part of an all-party delegation visiting Malaysia, on Sunday said that any dialogue with Pakistan should focus solely on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, TMC's Banerjee specified the need for a hardline stance against cross-border terrorism. 'If the Indian government wishes to hold talks with Pakistan, then it must be strictly about one issue — reclaiming PoJK. Otherwise, this cycle of terrorism and conflict will persist,' Banerjee said. He also pointed to widely circulated social media images showing senior Pakistani military officials attending funerals of terrorists targeted in recent Indian strikes, calling it undeniable evidence of Pakistan's support for terrorism. 'We are here with all the evidence. There are photos of Pakistan army generals participating in the funerals of terrorists. What more proof does the world need?' he added. Among those seen leading funeral prayers was Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and a US-designated global terrorist. Rauf has long been linked to LeT's terror operations, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Despite being from the opposition, TMC leader highlighted that national security transcends party lines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Consigue audifonos de alta calidad sin gastar ni un solo centavo Top Audifonos Undo 'I may belong to the Trinamool Congress, but here, I represent India. When it comes to national security and sovereignty, I stand with my country, not with political interests,' he said. TMC MP Banerjee further urged the diaspora to support Kashmir's economy in defiance of Pakistan's destabilisation efforts. 'Pakistan wanted to hurt India's economy through terrorism. Let's do the opposite, help Kashmir flourish. When you visit India, extend your stay by 3-4 days just for Kashmir,' he appealed. The all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, is part of India's global outreach following Operation Sindoor , a strong military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The team includes MPs from BJP, Congress, CPM, and other parties and has so far visited Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and now Malaysia.
India Gazette
17 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"We have to make sure that this time we engage in dialogue where we only talk about reclaiming PoJK": Abhishek Banerjee in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], June 1 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha-led all-party Indian delegation visiting Malaysia, emphasised the need for India to engage in dialogue with Pakistan only if it involves reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). While addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, Banerjee said, '...I want to tell the ruling dispensation that if they want to engage in dialogue with Pakistan, we have to make sure that this time we engage in a dialogue where we only talk about reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, this will continue...' Banerjee pointed to social media evidence showing high-ranking Pakistan military officials attending funerals of terrorists, underscoring Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism. He emphasised that India has ample evidence to present to the world. 'We are here with all the are pictures all over social media, where high-ranking Pakistan military generals and high officials from the Pakistan army are attending the funeral of terrorists. What else can India offer the world as evidence?' he said. Notably, Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a US-designated global terrorist and high-level Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, led funeral prayers for those who died in the Indian missile strikes. Rauf has been implicated in facilitating LeT's operations, which include high-profile attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Despite being from the opposition, Banerjee emphasised his commitment to national security and sovereignty, stating that he would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the country. He prioritised national interests over political differences. 'I might have differences with the ruling party. I am from the All India Trinamool Congress but I am representing India here. I will not let my political interests come in the way of national it comes to national security and safeguarding the sovereignty of my country, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with my country...,' said Banerjee. Banerjee stressed the need to counter Pakistan's attempts to destabilise India by ensuring Kashmir's prosperity and growth. He encouraged tourists visiting India to spend time in Kashmir, highlighting the region's beauty and resilience. Banerjee said, 'They were trying to pull the Indian economy down by inflicting this terrorist attack, it is incumbent upon us to do the opposite and make sure that Kashmir keeps flourishing and prospering. When you book a trip to India, make sure you extend the trip by at least 3-4 days and those 3-4 days should be solely dedicated to the people of Kashmir...' Banerjee is part of the all-party parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, which is currently visiting partner countries to reinforce India's firm resolve against cross-border terrorism and its zero-tolerance policy. The delegation has so far visited Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. It includes BJP MPs Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, and Aparajita Sarangi; Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; Congress leader and former Union minister Salman Khurshid; and Mohan Kumar. (ANI)
India.com
18 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Make Sure We Only Talk About...': Abhishek Banerjee on Future Talks With Pakistan
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, part of the Indian all-party delegation visiting Malaysia led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, has stressed the need for India to engage in dialogue with Pakistan only on the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) issue. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, Banerjee said that the ruling government must ensure that future dialogues with Pakistan focus on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He warned that unless this is addressed, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism will continue. "I want to tell the ruling dispensation that if they want to engage in dialogue with Pakistan, we have to make sure that this time we engage in a dialogue where we only talk about reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, this will continue," ANI quoted Banerjee as saying. Banerjee stressed the need to counter Pakistan's attempts to destabilise India's economy by ensuring Kashmir's prosperity and growth. "They were trying to pull the Indian economy down by inflicting this terrorist attack, it is incumbent upon us to do the opposite and make sure that Kashmir keeps flourishing and prospering. When you book a trip to India, make sure you extend the trip by at least 3-4 days and those 3-4 days should be solely dedicated to the people of Kashmir," Banerjee said. Banerjee pointed out that there is enough evidence present on social media showing high-ranking Pakistan military officials attending funerals of terrorists, underscoring Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism. "We are here with all the are pictures all over social media, where high-ranking Pakistan military generals and high officials from the Pakistan army are attending the funeral of terrorists. What else can India offer the world as evidence?" he said. Notably, Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a US-designated global terrorist and Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, led funeral prayers for those who died during Operation Sindoor. Abdul Rauf has been linked to facilitating LeT's operations, including the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. This operation began in the early hours of May 7 and targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), resulting in the deaths of more than 100 terrorists. Banerjee is a member of the all-party parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, which is presently visiting allied nations to reinforce India's strong commitment against cross-border terrorism and its policy of zero tolerance. The delegation includes BJP MPs Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, and Aparajita Sarangi; Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; Congress leader and former Union minister Salman Khurshid; and Mohan Kumar.
