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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Over 2,000 migrant workers brought back to Bengal, many still in detention camps: CM
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has brought back more than 2,000 migrant workers, while many are still languishing in detention camps in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled (BJP) states after being labelled as Bangladeshis, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee at an administrative programme in West Bengal's Jhargram district. (ANI) Speaking at an administrative programme in Bengal's Jhargram district, the chief minister also attacked the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the second day in a row for suspending four state government officers. 'People from West Bengal are being tortured. We have brought back more than 2,000 people. People (migrant workers from West Bengal) have been held at detention camps in Gurugram and Assam. In Rajasthan, atrocities are going on. A tribal girl from Malda was held in Madhya Pradesh and deported to Bangladesh. Dalits are being tortured,' Banerjee said. Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also attacked the poll panel, saying that the ECI was acting beyond its jurisdiction. 'The Centre has engaged the ECI in a shameless game so that the genuine voters in the state can't vote. The ECI takes over the control of the state administration after election dates are announced and the Model Code of Conduct is enforced. This isn't the time for the ECI's jurisdiction. There is an elected government,' he said. Also read: TMC plans a blueprint to root out 'ghost voters', BJP calls it 'sinister' CM Banerjee, who led a rally — Bhasha Andolan (Linguist Movement) — in Jhargram on Wednesday to protest against the alleged atrocities on Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states, had said that she would travel to other countries and expose the BJP in front of the world if names of genuine voters are deleted from the electoral rolls in the state through a Special Intensive Revision (SIR). CM Banerjee led a rally — Bhasha Andolan (Linguist Movement) — in Jhargram on Wednesday to protest against the alleged atrocities on Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states. (ANI) CM Banerjee, speaking at an administrative programme in Birbhum district on July 29, urged the migrant workers to return to West Bengal. 'There is no dearth of work here. If they want to return, we would arrange for the transportation, provide them with ration cards, government health cards, job cards for employment, and get their children admitted in schools,' she had said. She said that many people had come to India from Bangladesh after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and settled here. 'They are Indian citizens now. Why are Indian citizens being deported to Bangladesh? We have nothing to say if actions are being initiated against infiltrators,' she added. Slamming the ECI for suspending four state government officers, CM Banerjee said, 'Two West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) officers were suspended. The dates of the assembly elections (scheduled to be held in 2026) have not been announced yet. See the audacity. Under which rule has it been done? We know that the ECI takes over once the election dates are declared. Do you think you can threaten the officers? The state government would stand beside its officers,' she added. Also read: Mamata Banerjee threatens to expose BJP worldwide over voter deletion claims The poll panel had suspended two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) on Tuesday for allegedly adding names of fictitious voters to the electoral roll and compromising data security. The poll panel also directed the state's Chief Secretary to lodge FIRs against the four officers and a casual data entry operator. Officials from the poll panel declined to comment on the statements made by the chief minister. The letter sent by the ECI to the state's chief secretary, however, cited Section 13(CC) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which states that the chief electoral officers, district election officers, and other relevant staff are deemed to be on deputation to the ECI while engaged in the preparation, revision, and conduct of elections. During this period, they are under the control, superintendence, and discipline of the poll panel.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
TMC's Abhishek Banerjee slams EC; alleges bias, voter suppression in West Bengal
TMC leader in Lok Sabha, Abhishek Banerjee, on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of compromising its constitutional neutrality and playing a "shameless role" in trying to disenfranchise genuine voters in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP of using the EC, judiciary, and media to malign Bengal. (ANI) Speaking to reporters before leaving for Delhi to attend a dinner at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's residence, where opposition leaders are expected to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and deliberate on a joint vice-presidential candidate, Banerjee alleged that the poll body had overstepped its constitutional boundaries to give political advantage to the BJP. "The EC must understand and realise that it is an impartial and unbiased organisation and it has to operate within the ambit of the Constitution," Banerjee said. Alleging that the EC has become a tool in the hands of the BJP, Banerjee said, "Now the EC has taken a shameless role to snatch the voting rights of genuine voters. They are going overboard. The work they have started over the past 3-4 months, when the Bengal election is still 10-11 months away, clearly shows that they are not going to let an elected government function." He claimed that the commission was "actively working" to deny Bengalis their franchise under the guise of voter list revision. "The EC is being used so that the genuine Bengalis of Bengal cannot exercise their voting rights," he said. Also Read: Abhishek Banerjee appointed TMC's leader of party in Lok Sabha, says Mamata Taking a dig at a recent controversy, Banerjee added, "Yesterday, I saw a report that a residential certificate had been issued under the name of Donald Trump in Bihar. You should ask the Election Commission about it instead of shooting questions at us." He continued, "You should ask the Chief Election Commissioner why Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India. Or maybe, when Mr. Trump comes to cast his vote in Bihar elections, he will be in a suitable position to answer this question." The Diamond Harbour MP alleged that the commission's actions were aimed at tilting the field in favour of the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls in West Bengal. "The EC's responsibility begins only when the Model Code of Conduct is in place. After that, it can take over the state's civil and police administration to ensure a free and fair election. But what it is doing now, months ahead of the polls, shows it is working to benefit the BJP," Banerjee said. He further accused the commission of bypassing the elected state government, which he said was accountable only to the people of Bengal. "This government was voted to power in 2021 by 12 crore people of Bengal. It is committed and accountable to them, not to any political party or the Centre," Banerjee asserted. The TMC leader also accused the BJP of orchestrating a broader campaign to malign the state and its people by using the Election Commission, judiciary, and certain sections of the media. "They have denied Bengal its rights and misused the judiciary. They used a section of the media to defame Bengal by using a case like Sandeshkhali. Now they are using the EC so that genuine Bengalis cannot vote," Banerjee alleged. He also criticised the Union government for allegedly blocking funds under key welfare schemes. Also Read: Bengal: Abhishek to address 9,000 TMC workers as BJP begins 4-day strategy meet "The Centre has stopped even drinking water funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Water is life — yet they've blocked that too. This is not just about 100-day wages, housing, or GST dues anymore," Banerjee alleged. He also claimed that since the TMC returned to power in 2021, over 50 CBI probes have been initiated by various benches of the Calcutta High Court. "This is being done under Central pressure to harass the government and weaken the TMC," he said. Referring to last year's controversy at RG Kar Medical College, Banerjee said, "Despite the smear campaign, Kolkata Police solved the matter in 24 hours. The CBI has done nothing even after a year." He warned that those attempting to malign Bengal for political gains would be defeated again. "They were taught a lesson in 2021 and 2024. They will be taught another in the coming days," he said.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Voiced our concerns regarding SIR in Bihar: KT Rama Rao
New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Tuesday raised concerns over the ongoing voter list revision exercise, particularly in Bihar, during a meeting with the Election Commission in the national to reporters after the meeting, KTR said he had a detailed discussion with the Chief Election Commissioner regarding what he called a 'serious intensive revision" of electoral expressed apprehension over what he described as the 'opaqueness" of the process and urged the poll panel to ensure greater said, 'We met the Election commissioner and his two election commissioners. We voiced our concerns regarding serious intensive revision happening in Bihar and to happen in the rest of the country. We have expressed our concerns over the opaqueness of the process followed."KTR added, 'The Election Commissioner has said that they are following the due process. We have requested him to follow a more transparent process by engaging and evolving." On Tuesday, The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) formally submitted a detailed representation to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging the constitutional body to address critical concerns affecting electoral integrity and a level playing field, the party said in a party delegation, headed by Party Working President KT Rama Rao, met the Election Commission on Tuesday in New Delhi upon the Commission's invitation for an interaction. Rajya Sabha members KR Suresh Reddy, Vaddiraju Ravichandra, former MP B Vinod Kumar, and senior leaders Balka Suman and RS Praveen Kumar were part of the representation, submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, highlights four major issues: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in Bihar, the party's call for a return to paper ballots, the 'repeated misuse of identical free symbols that dilute the party's identity", and 'non-action" on past representations regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).BRS has voiced serious apprehensions over the 'untimely and targeted nature" of the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party termed the SIR exercise 'unwarranted, particularly with elections on the horizon", and cautioned that it could 'lead to large-scale voter deletions, especially among migrant and disadvantaged communities".BRS party observed that the 'disenfranchisement of migrant labour, who move across states for economic survival, is deeply concerning. Documents like Aadhaar and Voter ID must suffice for voter eligibility".BRS has called for a 'withdrawal" of the current SIR in Bihar, the institution of biannual, scientific, and transparent revision processes, the formation of booth-level all-party committees to verify deletions or modifications, and the prominent public display of voter rolls at regular party warned that hasty revisions driven by unverified media narratives and partisan representations could undermine the universal franchise and the legitimacy of the voters' party also expressed its concerns over the continued use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing growing public distrust and international precedents.'The BRS Party would like to voice its serious concern about suspicions over the usage of Electronic Voting Machines. Several media report to this effect have surfaced over the last few years. Many political parties, activists and voters have also expressed their concerns about the usage of EVMs," the BRS mentioned in its BRS party reminded that the world's oldest democracy, the US, and mature democracies like the UK, Japan, and Germany do not use EVMs for national the German Constitutional Court's 2009 judgment, the party emphasised the need for ordinary citizens to verify crucial steps of the election process without specialist BRS urged the ECI to consider reinstating paper ballots, starting with the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections in November 2025, to restore public confidence in the democratic party once again highlighted the persistent 'misuse" of free symbols that closely resemble its reserved election symbol – the Car. In particular, the party flagged eight free symbols – Camera, Chapati Roller, Dolli, Road Roller, Soap Dish, Television, Sewing Machine, and Ship – which, when displayed in small sizes on EVMs and ballot papers, are indistinguishable from the Car symbol, especially for illiterate and elderly said that in several past elections, including the 2019 Bhongir Lok Sabha election, 'the confusion caused by these symbols led to an abnormal diversion of votes meant for the BRS, helping rival or independent candidates."The party demanded the immediate withdrawal of these eight free symbols, permanent safeguards to protect the visual identity of State Recognised Parties, particularly in states where they are dominant players, and institutional parity in the protection offered to National and State parties also expressed disappointment over the lack of timely action on its earlier representations during the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These included abusive and derogatory statements by leaders of rival parties, disparities in the Commission's response to complaints filed by BRS versus those filed against it, and inaction on Model Code of Conduct violations, including misuse of social media, hate speech, and politicisation of government party appealed for an urgent re-evaluation of all pending representations and sought assurance of impartial treatment from the ECI.'We believe that the strength of Indian democracy lies in ensuring equal electoral opportunity to all recognised political parties. As a State Recognised Party that has played a pivotal role in the formation and governance of Telangana, we seek the institutional protection and fairness constitutionally due to us," the BRS noted. (ANI)
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Opposition ups ante on SIR, government says will be forced to push bills
NEW DELHI: As the stalemate over Bihar SIR continues to paralyse Parliament proceedings, the government on Monday said that it will be forced to press for the passage of crucial bills if the Opposition parties don't budge from their adamant position. The Speaker cited the precedent of former speaker Balram Jakhar, who turned down a demand for a discussion in the House on the Election Commission's functioning, given that the poll panel is conceived as an independent entity. Despite the opposition suggesting that if the government is unwilling to discuss SIR, discussions can be had on electoral reforms, voter deletion etc, the government refused to concede to the demand. Later, speaking to reporters, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju insisted that the government wants a thorough discussion in Parliament over its bills but will be compelled to push for their passage from Tuesday in 'national interest' as the proposed legislations are important for governance. Hitting out at the opposition parties, he said that they had agreed to a two-day discussion over the National Sports Governance Bill and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, both of which were scheduled to be taken up together for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Monday, but they disrupted proceedings. The minister, however, made it clear that a debate on SIR cannot take place in Parliament as the exercise is part of the Election Commission's administrative action and functioning. Parliament can discuss electoral reforms but not the EC's functioning, he said, adding that the poll watchdog has carried out SIR earlier as well. Speaking to this paper, Congress chief whip Manickam Tagore said that the government has shut doors for the opposition on the issue. He asserted that the Law Minister and Parliamentary Affairs Minister must answer why the government is blocking discussion on SIR, an issue directly linked to millions of Indian citizens' right to pointed out that Parliament has always exercised oversight on Constitutional Bodies. He said that Parliament has debated issues such as electoral bonds, voter ID–Aadhaar Linking, appointment of Election Commissioners, Model Code of Conduct, role of CAG after the 2G report, Conduct of UPSC exams and Reports of NHRC, but no Speaker stopped that.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Court junks corruption charges against Shinde Sena MLA over 2024 Maharashtra polls
The Bombay High Court has rejected an election petition filed against Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Rajaram Surve, who was elected from the Magathane Assembly constituency, on the ground that the petition lacked material facts and failed to disclose a valid cause of petition, filed by Udesh Shantaram Patekar of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), alleged corrupt practices by Surve, including bribery, distribution of pamphlets, violation of the Model Code of Conduct and inducement of voters through the promise of a community hall construction worth Rs 1 rejecting the petition, the bench of Justice Sandeep V Marne said, "Election Petition is not a remedy in common law or an action in equity. Being a statutory remedy, strict compliance with the provisions of the act is mandatory. The allegation of corrupt practice is not only serious but constitutes a punishable offence under the act. Therefore, levelling of allegations of corrupt practice cannot be done in a casual manner." The bench observed that although the petition averred production of four video recordings to support two allegations of corrupt practices, what was actually produced before the court was multiple files in MP4 and JPEG format by copying them into a single Marne said, "This casual approach on the part of the petitioner does not meet the strict requirements of pleadings. The Petitioner cannot dump multiple materials on a copiable electronic device and leave it for the returned candidate to identify the files copied therein. In my view, the election petitioner has failed to make correct and necessary averments relating to the video recordings and has also failed to supply to the returned candidate all the attachments with sufficient material particulars and identity, making the petition liable for rejection."The bench noted that the allegations in the petition were vague and lacked connection to Surve. The petition had failed to specify how the alleged acts materially affected the election result, said the bench. Mere usage of terms like "consent" and "conspiracy" without supporting facts did not meet the legal threshold required to substantiate corrupt practices under Section 123 of the RP act, said the won the November 2024 election with over 1.05 lakh votes, while the petitioner was the runner-up with about 47,000 votes.- EndsMust Watch
