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As expected, Parrikar rules the floor

Published

9 years ago

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BACK IN OFFICE: Parrikar with the governor and his own ministers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]But the smaller parties to have supported the BJP have extracted their pound of flesh in the form of plum cabinet posts 

By Sujit Bhar

Manohar Parrikar won the floor test with 22 MLAs paraded on March 16 and is now the legitimate chief minister of Goa. The Congress, for all practical purposes, sat dejected, having virtually given up hope.

This is the age of expecting the unexpected and then getting it. Parrikar headed a BJP jamboree to 13 seats in the recent assembly elections, while the Congress was the largest party on show with 17 in the 40-seat assembly.

It was natural and expected that the governor would call the Congress first to form government. It was also expected that it would be a cakewalk for the Congress to seek out four more MLAs to support them and take then to the magic figure of 21.

The unexpected happened, both times. Governor Mridula Sinha returned the call of Parrikar and BJP, while waiting for the Congress to show up, quickly installed the former defence minister as the chief minister. She seemingly was satisfied with the BJP’s claim to strength.

Technically the Congress was to blame. It failed to even present its case to governor. In the heated atmosphere of Goa, and with 131 years of rigorous political experience to fall back on, the Congress sat on its hands. The BJP did not. By nightfall on March 11 (the day election results were announced), it has sewn up alliances that would see them through any test.

It was not clear what the Congress was doing, but the rumour is that it was trying to settle internal disputes as to who would be the boss. Digvijay Singh, Congress’ boss-man responsible for Goa, was totally lost. Now he has to listen to a sarcastic jab from Parrikar, who commented after the floor test: “That’s what happens if you come to Goa for a holiday.”

CM ONCE MORE: Parrikar takes oath of office

CM ONCE MORE: Parrikar takes oath of office

The Congress had huffed and puffed its way to the Supreme Court on the issue of the governor calling Parrikar and neglecting Congress. The Supreme Court is on vacation, but considering the seriousness of the issue, Chief Justice JS Khehar quickly formed a three-judge bench and heard out Congress counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Singhvi had later said sarcastically: “Let Parrikar be a do-din ka Sultan if he wants to be.” Actually, the joke was on Singhvi and the Congress. The Supreme Court had openly rebuked the Congress, with Justice Khehar saying: “You saw them saying they have the majority. But you never said you have the majority nor have you mentioned in this petition. You have not brought the affidavits of these people who are with you. You failed to show that the people who are mentioned in their list are with you.” 
The court added: “If you had the numbers, you would have held a dharna at the Governor’s house.”

When Singhvi cried “It’s constitutionally and legally wrong,” Justice Gogoi gave him a lesson in realpolitik. : “Healthy constitutional practice should be followed, not the just the convention of calling the largest party.”

FLOOR TEST

The body language of the Congress on the morning of March 16 was one of despondency. They seemed to have given up trying. It was soon clear that the smaller parties to have supported the BJP—three independents, the Goa Forward Party (GFP, 3) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP, 3)—have extracted their pound of flesh in the form of plum cabinet posts.

The problem was that Parrikar is a local man, a former high-powered cabinet minister and close to Prime Minster Narendra Modi. What chance did the Congress—whose leader Rahul Gandhi himself is in the dock for huge losses—have against such an opponent?

The bigger problem for the Congress will be the new legislators who are frustrated and have said so. Will the flock stay with leaders who live in Delhi? Congress’ demand for the pro-tem speaker’s post also failed to cut ice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

Published

2 hours ago

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August 16, 2026

By

Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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