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Mamata Banerjee condoles demise of former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

Banerjee said she has known him for the last several decades and visited him a few times when he was ill and effectively confined to home in the last few years.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condoled the demise of former Chief Minister of State Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and said she was shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of the former CM.

Banerjee said she has known him for the last several decades and visited him a few times when he was ill and effectively confined to home in the last few years.

“My very sincere condolences to Meeradi and Suchetan at this hour of grief. I communicate my condolences to the members of the CPI(M) party and all his followers. We have already taken a decision that we shall give him full respect and ceremonial honour during his last journey and rites”, West Bengal CM said in a post on X.

Veteran Left leader Bhattacharjee died at his south Kolkata residence early this morning. He was 80. He had been suffering from ill-health for several years, chiefly against respiratory problems that often landed him in hospitals. Last year, he was put on life support when a bout of pneumonia hit him, but the fightful CPM leader he was, made a remarkable recovery. He leaves behind his wife Meera and son Suchetan.

A former politburo member of the apex decision-making body of the CPM, Bhattacharjee led the Bengal Chief Ministership between 2000 to 2011 succeeding Jyoti Basu. Under his leadership, CPM fought the 2011 state elections, which the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC convincingly won ending the 34-year Communist regime in the state.

The 77-year-old Bhattacharjee, known for his austere life, died at the simple two-room house on Palm Avenue where, ironically, he had led the administration of the state. His organs would be donated for medical research in accordance with his wish. His body would be taken to the CPI headquarters for people to pay homage. The last rites would be performed on Saturday.

Bhattacharjee is an alumnus of Presidency College, Kolkata, and became a full-time politician after starting his career as a school teacher. An MLA and a state minister, he was being groomed for greater things to come as he was elevated as Deputy Chief Minister soon after Basu’s resignation in 2000. As Chief Minister, he led the CPM to electoral victories in the 2001 and 2006 Assembly polls.

His tenure has taken a comparatively liberal stand toward business, as compared with that of the Jyoti Basu era. Ironically, it was precisely this policy, coupled with the controversial land acquisitions for industrialization, that caused the Left to suffer an ignominious defeat in the 2011 election.

The Trinamool Congress, which managed to win only 30 seats in the 2006 polls, led the fight against the Tata Motors project at Singur. It was finally shifted out of the State to Gujarat in 2008 by Ratan Tata, who cited Banerjee’s agitation as the reason. The development marked a severe embarrassment to Bhattacharjee’s Government. No less damaging was the Nandigram violence, in which 14 people died when police fired on those protesting acquisition of land for a chemical hub.

The benefiting party, Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, rode to power in 2011 with 184 seats on the wave of anti-incumbency sentiment against the Left Front and the negative perception of the land acquisition policies of the state government. The defeat completed the slide into a decline from which it has yet to recover. A decade later, the BJP is now the principal Opposition, pushing the Left to a minor force in a state it once ruled unchallenged for decades.

Condoling his death, Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said that it marked the end of an era of politics. Chief Minister Banerjee said in her condolence message: “I am deeply saddened. My condolences to Meera di, Suchetan, and all CPM supporters. We have decided to accord him full respect and ceremonial honours during his last journey and rites.”.

Leader of the Opposition, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, took to Twitter to condone his “deep sadness over the death to the family and fans” of Bhattacharjee.

Long-time fellow and CPM general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, described the news of Bhattacharjee’s passing as “shattering”. “His commitment to the party, West Bengal, our shared ideals and his foresight will always be a guiding star,” he said.

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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