Latest news with #OperationBengal
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Amit Shah kicks off 'Operation Bengal', poll strategy, state chief pick on cards
With Union Home Minister Amit Shah set to arrive in Kolkata for a two-day visit on Saturday, possibly to formulate the BJP's 2026 Assembly strategy, a fierce war of words has erupted between the saffron party and the ruling Trinamool whose visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Bengal and attacked the Mamata Banerjee-led government over the Murshidabad riots and alleged scams, has a busy itinerary on schedule includes inaugurating a new facility at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), followed by a major political rally at Netaji Indoor Stadium, where he will address BJP leaders and supporters. Party insiders indicated that Shah would outline a strategic plan to strengthen the BJP's position for the upcoming 2026 elections. There is also speculation that the visit may involve discussions on selecting a new state BJP current president, Dr Sukanta Majumder, is serving an extended term. He was made an Union Minister after the Modi government returned to power in 2024 for the third consecutive no official statement has been released by the BJP on this matter. Additionally, Shah will visit Swami Vivekananda's residence on Simla Street to pay his respects before departing for Delhi on Sunday VS TRINAMOOL WAR OF WORDSadvertisementThe visit has led to a fierce sparring between the BJP and TMC has accused the BJP of using 'Operation Sindoor', during which the armed forces destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and hit military bases, for political an interview with India Today, TMC minister Sashi Panja dismissed BJP leaders as "seasonal visitors" attempting to sway Bengal's voters without genuine commitment. She argued that the BJP's alleged insensitivity towards women's issues would prevent them from gaining traction in the a sharp rebuttal, Dr Sukanta Majumder defended the party's agenda, stating that Amit Shah's visit would provide a clear blueprint for the 2026 elections. He described the efforts as 'Operation Bengal', a mission to "uphold the honour of Bengal's women".Majumder said Shah's meetings with mandal presidents and senior leaders would galvanise the party's grassroots efforts. The development underscores the high stakes for the parties in the 2026 Watch
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Mamata Is Right – PM Is Using Operation Sindoor To Further BJP's Interests
By Nitya Chakraborty West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee was right when she said on Thursday replying to the Prime Minister's vicious attacks against her and her government that Narendra Modi was making use of the Operation Sindoor to achieve cheap political gains for the BJP in the coming assembly polls in the state in early 2026. This was the first such unambiguous attack against the partisan politics of the Prime Minister who has been trying to convert the success of the Indian army against Pakistan through Operation Sindoor into political gains for the BJP through his election oriented speeches since May 10 when the India-Pakistan truce took place. In the last twenty days, since May 10, the opposition parties extended in full their cooperation to the union government led by Narendra Modi and even took part in the all party Parliamentary delegations sent by the Prime Minister to the foreign countries to explain the Indian position. The PM talked of the need for national unity at this hour, every party responded. Instead of reciprocating that gesture, the Prime Minister, the leader of the 142 crore people of India used his public meetings in the last two weeks to denigrate the opposition and involving the Operation Sindoor with the BJP's other operation like Operation Bengal. Just imagine, in the public meeting held at Alipurduar in West Bengal on Thursday afternoon, the state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar told the rally in the presence of the Prime Minister that like Operation Sindoor , Operation Bengal would be organized to throw out the TMC government in the Bay of Bengal waters. The BJP boss has every right to talk about throwing out the TMC government in a political rally, but he was mixing Operation Sindoor the programme of united India with the partisan objective of the BJP in Bengal. That too in the presence of Narendra Modi, the so called symbol of national unity. The opposition leaders must have realized by now that the Prime Minister is playing his political game by saying that Operation Sindoor is on pause and any time, it could commence again. This is a military strategy and not to be announced in public rallies. The PM wants this war fever to continue in the country so that the BJP can have political capital in the coming elections in Bihar followed by the polls in other states Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. This is amply clear from the way his road shows have been organized in Bihar and Gujarat in the recent days. Mamata was correct when she replied to the Prime Minister two hours after his public meeting on Thursday 'What Modiji said today, we are not only shocked but also very sad to hear the voice of the prime minister when all the opposition (leaders) are representing the country to the world, they are taking the bold decision to protect the country's interest, national interest. We will protect the country because it is our motherland. But is it the time for the prime minister of the country, Narendra Modi, and in his presence, his minister, to say that they will do Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor? I challenge them. If they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge,' she said. Such a rebuff from a senior opposition leader to the Prime Minister was needed because Narendra Modi was going the wholehog against the opposition taking advantage of the docility of the INDIA Bloc constituents in view of the present period of India-Pak tensions. The opposition has given enough leeway to the Prime Minister but he has not honoured that. It is time the opposition starts functioning normally strongly demanding the immediate convening of special session of Parliament to discuss the situation and seek explanations on many vital issues which till now remain answered. Just as Mamata posed the question to the PM why the terrorists who carried out Pahalgam massacre on April 22 have not yet been nabbed. Yet. Or why Prime Minister is silent on continuous claim of Trump and other U.S. officials that Trump used trade threat to India and Pakistan to agree to ceasefire. It was meant more to India as India was winning on May 10 morning. What did the US vice president J D Vance tell the Prime Minister on May 9? Did he convey the threat given by Trump? The US trade department said the same thing in court. They must have record. PM has to categorically rebut that by coming out with his own statement. Why is he keeping silent and let others speak? These are the issues to be put to the government now.. Since the PM has crossed lakshmanrekha on keeping the national unity including the opposition parties, the India Bloc has no moral responsibility now to play by the rules set by the Prime Minister. Let them follow Mamata. She has set the agenda. It is time, the India Bloc parties discuss and start behaving as the real opposition. Enough is enough. (IPA Service)
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
'Instead of taking action against Pahalgam terrorists...': Cong leader V Hanumantha Rao targets Centre
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 30 (ANI): Former Congress Rajya Sabha Member, V Hanumantha Rao, alleged that the Centre is targeting the Opposition instead of taking action against terrorists who attacked in Pahalgam. Talking to ANI, Rao said, 'Innocent people were killed (in Pahalgam), after which all political parties came together to finish terrorism. Everyone was openly supporting whatever action we were taking to finish terrorism. Now, after the Pahalgam, four members of a terrorist organisation are roaming here and there. But unfortunately, the Indian government, instead of taking action against Pahalgam terrorists, is attacking the Opposition parties. It is not correct.' He added that Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh are also saying the same. Former MP Rao said that the Opposition's opinion was not taken for the ceasefire and asked the Centre, 'Why have you not consulted all the parties?' (sic) Earlier speaking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh said, 'These terrorists of Pahalgam were involved in four attacks, and still they are roaming around here and there. Our MPs are roaming, and terrorists are also roaming. We are asking these questions seriously. They do not answer these questions.' 'The BJP only targets the Congress party. Their attack is on the Congress party; it should be on the terrorists. Action should be taken against Pakistan. The terrorists should be arrested. The missiles that are being launched every day are being launched against the Congress party...' Ramesh added. Mamata Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to politicise Operation Sindoor and said such remarks are being made when all-party delegations are visiting partner countries. She said, 'What Modi ji said today, we are not only shocked but also very sad to hear this, when the Opposition is representing the his presence, his minister said that they will do Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor. I challenge them - if they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge. But please remember, time is a factor. You must remember the time. Our representative Abhishek Banerjee is also in the team.' (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Instead of taking action against Pahalgam terrorists...': Congress leader targets Centre
Former Congress Rajya Sabha Member, V Hanumantha Rao, alleged that the Centre is targeting the Opposition instead of taking action against terrorists who attacked in Pahalgam. Talking to ANI, Rao said, "Innocent people were killed (in Pahalgam), after which all political parties came together to finish terrorism. Everyone was openly supporting whatever action we were taking to finish terrorism. Now, after the Pahalgam, four members of a terrorist organisation are roaming here and there. But unfortunately, the Indian government, instead of taking action against Pahalgam terrorists, is attacking the Opposition parties. It is not correct." He added that Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh are also saying the same. Former MP Rao said that the Opposition's opinion was not taken for the ceasefire and asked the Centre, "Why have you not consulted all the parties?" (sic) Earlier speaking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh said, "These terrorists of Pahalgam were involved in four attacks, and still they are roaming around here and there. Our MPs are roaming, and terrorists are also roaming. We are asking these questions seriously. They do not answer these questions." "The BJP only targets the Congress party. Their attack is on the Congress party; it should be on the terrorists. Action should be taken against Pakistan. The terrorists should be arrested. The missiles that are being launched every day are being launched against the Congress party..." Ramesh added. Mamata Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to politicise Operation Sindoor and said such remarks are being made when all-party delegations are visiting partner countries. She said, 'What Modi ji said today, we are not only shocked but also very sad to hear this, when the Opposition is representing the his presence, his minister said that they will do Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor. I challenge them - if they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge. But please remember, time is a factor. You must remember the time. Our representative Abhishek Banerjee is also in the team.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
War of words over Sukanta's ‘Op Bengal' remark
1 2 Kolkata: Junior Union minister Sukanta Majumdar's "Operation Bengal" comment on Thursday prompted a sharp attack by TMC . Addressing a rally in Alipurduar, Majumdar, also BJP 's Bengal president, said party workers will carry out "Operation Bengal". "I can see thousands of workers in front of me. They will carry out Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor. They will uproot the govt from this state and throw it into Bay of Bengal." TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh shot back, saying: "How can someone say that after Operation Sindoor, it will be Operation Bengal? Operation Sindoor was against terrorists, are you now equating people of Bengal with terrorists? Are you equating Bengal and terrorism? You have insulted Bengal and its people. CM Mamata Banerjee rose above politics and lent her weight to Centre's fight against terrorism. Abhishek Banerjee, our national general secretary, is taking this word abroad. But this is dirty politics they are resorting to." Majumdar later told media that "Operation Indur (mouse)" was enough for TMC. "Trinamool netas are like rats that gnaw at bags and steal grains. They stole everything and sold that off. The entire state has become a mall," Majumdar said, indicating that he would not back down. Ghosh took a swipe at Majumdar. "Don't get into cheap politics and demean the sacrifices of jawans. Do not exploit Operation Sindoor or the valour of our armed forces for political gains. Their bravery must never be used as a tool for election propaganda," he said, aading: "People like Majumdar are only engaging in malicious gossip and slander. He is a failed president of BJP. Since his arrival, there has been only downfall for BJP in Bengal. "
