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Bimal Gurung suspended as GJM chief by his one-time protégé Binay Tamang

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Bimal Gurung suspended as GJM chief by his one-time protégé Binay Tamang

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Decision to suspend Gurung and his confidantes came a day before Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s scheduled all-party meet to discuss Darjeeling situation

In a new twist to the continuing intrigue around the political movement seeking complete autonomy, even statehood, for the Gorkhaland region of Bengal, Bimal Gurung – the face of the statehood agitation for years – was suspended by his one-time protégé Binay Tamang, on Monday, as president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

Ironically, Tamang’s decision to suspend his mentor came on a day when the Supreme Court passed an order in Gurung’s favour, restraining the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government from taking any “coercive action” against the now-ousted GJM chief. Gurung has been absconding for over six months following a slew of criminal cases being slapped against him by the state administration. Besides Gurung, Tamang – with the help of his confidantes in the GJM central committee – also suspended at least nine other senior party functionaries, including Gurung’s wife Asha and party general secretary Roshan Giri.

The suspensions have been announced for a period of six months and Tamang claimed that they decision had been taken in accordance with the party constitution since Gurung and his aides had “been inactive and in absentia” for over six months.

Tamang, who has been embroiled in a brinkmanship war with Gurung to take control of his party’s cadres and has been backed by the Mamata Banerjee-led state administration in his efforts, also got himself named as the GJM president while he named his close aide, Anit Thapa as the party general secretary in place of Giri.

In a statement issued from an undisclosed location, Giri slammed Tamang’s ‘coup’, calling the suspensions “illegal” and asserting that Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa had no authority to take decisions for the GJM because they had been expelled from the party in September (by the GJM faction led by Bimal Gurung).

The developments within the GJM came a day before Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to hold her all-party meet to discuss the prevailing situation in the Darjeeling hills, the epicenter of the Gorkhaland agitation, which are still recovering from the over 100-day-long ‘bandh’ called by the GJM which had ended only last month.

Gurung’s faction will not attend the talks convened by Banerjee. However, Tamang – the newly appointed GJM-chief who is known to have a good working relationship with the state government – will attend the talks. Tamang was appointed by Banerjee as interim chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in September after the GJM under Gurung had dismissed the semi-autonomous body for civic administration as a complete failure. Tamang’s appointment as the head of the GTA, along with his confidante Anit Thapa being named as the body’s vice chairman, has been viewed as Banerjee’s successful attempt at dividing the GJM down the middle and thereby weakening the separate statehood demand for Gorkhaland, something that has kept the Darjeeling hills in a restive state for years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

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.

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Abhishek Banerjee

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.

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India News

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.

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Rahul-Gandhi

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.

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Entertainment

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.

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Sanchita Ugale

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.

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