Govt trying to turn country into surveillance state: Mamata Banerjee on Pegasus row
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the government of making attempts to turn the country into a surveillance state with the use of spyware Pegasus.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the government of making attempts to turn the country into a surveillance state with the use of spyware Pegasus.
Addressing the people online on Martyr’s Day, Banerjee called for the Opposition parties to form a united front and plan to defeat the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections while pointing to the threat posed to democracy in the aftermath of the Pegasus scandal. She said she would go to Delhi on July 27 or 28 and will be available for an opposition meeting if one is held.
Several Opposition leaders such as P Chidambaram, Digvijaya Singh, Sharad Pawar, Ram Gopal Yadav, Manoj Jha, Tiruchi Siva, Supriya Sule, Sanjay Singh, K Keshava Rao, Jaya Bachchan were among those who heard her address in Delhi where it was played live on giant television screens.
Banerjee, whose nephew and senior party leader Abhishek Banerjee listed on the leaked list, said three things make democracy- media, judiciary, and the Election Commission, and Pegasus has captured all the three. She said Israeli spyware is dangerous and they are harassing people. Phones of ministers, judges are being tapped and they have finished the democratic structure. Instead of a democratic state, they want to convert it into a surveillance state, she said.
Holding up her phone, she showed how her phone camera was covered with tape and she cannot talk to other opposition leaders fearing if her phone is also being tapped. She said the government should also be plastered over, otherwise this country will be destroyed. Taking names of Opposition leaders like P Chidambaram, Sharad Pawar, Arvind Kejriwal, and others, she said cannot talk to anyone. Instead of giving money to the poor, you are spending a lot of money on spygiri, said Banerjee while taking potshots at the ruling government.
Banerjee also appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance against the use of spyware Pegasus. She urged the apex court to set up a panel to probe, as only the judiciary can save the country, she said.
Recalling her Assembly election victory slogan Khela Hobe, Banerjee said one game has happened in Bengal and another game is afoot. She said she will declare August 16 as Khel Divas in Bengal.
She also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by asking him to not mind her saying that he and maybe the Home Minister, have been deploying law enforcement agencies against Opposition leaders. She added that the government had been spending tax money on spyware and not on the welfare of the people while pointing at the surging petrol prices.
Further, she said that the BJP has destroyed the Constitution, and their party members have become NHRC members. The Centre is interested in violence, divisive politics, clashes, mistrust among people, when people want freedom and progress, good healthcare, education and jobs, she said.
TAppluading her governance, Banerjee said, that her party is ready to give free ration to the nation. They distributed 10 lakh student credit cards besides laptops, hostel fees, tuition fees, etc. and also giving Rs 10,000 to farmers. She said Bengal is the real model, not Gujarat and urged the common people to protest against Pegasus snoop gate.
Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning
After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.
Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.
The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.
His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.
After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.
The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.
DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity
DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.
The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.
According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.
DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity
In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.
The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.
Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions
The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.
The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.
Congress rejects allegations
Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.
The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.
Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22
Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.
Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.
According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.
Career across television, OTT and films
Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.
The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.
Last social media post draws attention
Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.