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Technical glitch grounds West Bengal’s plea against Aadhaar-Mobile linking in SC

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Supreme Court raps Mamata Banerjee’s government for challenging Parliament’s mandate, says the chief minister can file a petition as an individual citizen

The Supreme Court, on Monday, pulled up Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal government for directly approaching the apex court against the Centre’s move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of various social welfare schemes.

The West Bengal government had filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution. The specific Article can only be used by individual citizens to approach the Supreme Court against state actions which violate their fundamental rights. Article 32 cannot be agitated by a State against the Centre, a technicality that the state government’s counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, seems to have overlooked while moving the apex court which in turn led the top court to rap Banerjee’s government.

The West Bengal government’s plea had come up before the Supreme Court days after a defiant Banerjee had declared that she would not link her mobile phone with her Aadhaar number – something that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made mandatory for all citizens – and dared telecom companies to disconnect her cell phone connection if they so wished.

After the top court pointed out the technical issues that prevented the West Bengal government from moving the writ petition in its current form, the petition was withdrawn. Justice AK Sikri did, however, note that chief minister Mamata Banerjee can file a petition on the issue as an individual citizen.

At the same time, the Supreme Court bench of Justices AK Sikri
and Ashok Bhushan, accepted a plea by advocate Raghav Tankha (filed against the Union of India) seeking a direction to the Department of Telecom and to various telecom operators to stop misleading the public as to the requirement of Aadhaar being the only means of authentication for proof of address by an erroneous and mala fide interpretation of the Supreme Court order in the Loknithi Foundation Case.

The bench issued notice to the government on Tankha’s plea.

When Sibal – a veteran of many legal battles – appeared as an intervenor for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the government, Justice Sikri, raised an objection, saying: “This is a matter of the State of West Bengal. The State cannot challenge the law on its own. The Secretary for the State should come as the party and more specifically, Ms Mamta Banerjee should file the petition.”

Justice Sikri asked Sibal: “In a federal structure, how can a State file a plea challenging Parliament’s mandate? We know it is a matter which needs consideration, but you satisfy us how a state can challenge it (sic)?”

Expressing its displeasure over the West Bengal government’s plea, Justice Sikri asked Sabil: “How can a State challenge a law passed by the Centre? Tomorrow the Centre will come against laws by the States” and then told the senior counsel: “let an individual come to us… Mr. Sibal, you know this… you are more mature than us.”

Sibal argued, saying: “This petition from my side is on the behalf of the labour department of West Bengal. It raises a public interest issue in regards to distribution of subsidies to targeted children.”

Sibal also requested the court for time to file an amended petition. A bill for Aadhaar seeding with PDS distribution is to be tagged along with this amended application.

The bench said that the issue of linkage of Aadhaar with mobile number will be considered at the end of the board.

The petition filed by advocate Tankha also seeks a direction to the Telecom Service Providers to stop advertisements as well as SMS, thereby misleading the citizens by misinterpreting the Supreme Court order.

The petition has been filed through advocate Pragya Baghel against the telecom operators Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Idea, Reliance, Department of Telecommunication and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Himanta Biswa Sarma attacks Congress after Assam win, says people made Pawan Khera eat Pera

Himanta Biswa Sarma targets Congress after BJP’s Assam win, saying voters made Pawan Khera eat pera.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on the Congress after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Reacting to the results, Sarma took a swipe at Congress leader Pawan Khera, saying that the people of Assam had made him “eat pera,” a remark aimed at highlighting the party’s defeat in the state.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a commanding win, marking its third consecutive term in Assam. The BJP itself won a significant number of seats, while its allies — the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) — also contributed to the alliance’s strong tally.

The victory underlines the BJP’s continued dominance in the northeastern state, with Sarma emerging as the central figure in the party’s campaign and governance narrative.

Political observers note that the scale of the mandate reflects voter support for the party’s leadership and its governance approach, even as the opposition struggled to mount an effective challenge.

With this result, the BJP has further strengthened its position in Assam’s political landscape, while the Congress faces renewed questions over its performance in the state.

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Yogi Adityanath warns of strict action against forcible land occupation

Yogi Adityanath has warned of strict action against those forcibly occupying land, directing officials to ensure quick resolution of complaints.

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Yogi Adityanath has reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found forcibly occupying others’ land, underlining his government’s firm stance against illegal encroachment.

According to media reports, the Chief Minister issued the directive while addressing grievances, making it clear that such cases will not be tolerated and will be dealt with through strong legal measures. He instructed officials to ensure that victims receive timely relief and justice.

Adityanath emphasised that protecting citizens’ property rights remains a priority for the state government. He directed administrative and police authorities to act promptly in cases of land grabbing and ensure that illegal कब्ज़ा is removed without delay.

The Chief Minister has consistently maintained a tough position on land-related disputes. In recent interactions with the public, he has stressed the need for swift resolution of complaints and warned officials against negligence in handling such matters.

He also highlighted that strict legal action should be taken against those involved in unlawful occupation, ensuring accountability and deterrence against repeat offences.

The move is seen as part of the government’s broader push to strengthen law and order and curb the activities of land mafias in the state.

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Suvendu Adhikari after Bengal win, says Akhilesh Yadav is next

Suvendu Adhikari says Akhilesh Yadav is next after BJP’s Bengal win, shifts focus to Uttar Pradesh elections 2027.

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Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, senior leader Suvendu Adhikari made a strong political statement, indicating that the party’s next focus will be the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2027.

Riding on the momentum of the party’s performance in Bengal, Adhikari said that several opposition leaders have already lost political ground and added that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav would be “next” in line.

The BJP leader, who secured key victories in constituencies such as Bhabanipur and Nandigram, also claimed that the defeat of the ruling Trinamool Congress marked the beginning of a political decline for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He asserted that her “political exile has started,” referring to her electoral losses in recent contests.

Adhikari further criticised the Trinamool Congress, comparing it with other opposition parties and alleging that it lacked ideology and was driven by family-based politics. He also suggested that several leaders and workers from the TMC could shift allegiance to the BJP in the coming period.

The BJP’s strong showing in West Bengal marks a major political shift in the state, where the party has managed to significantly expand its footprint. Political observers say the latest remarks underline the party’s intent to carry its electoral momentum into upcoming state elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, which is expected to be a key battleground in 2027.

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