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Another senior BJP leader Chandan Mitra quits BJP; likely to join TMC

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Another senior BJP leader Chandan Mitra quits BJP; likely to join TMC

Senior BJP leader Chandan Mitra on Wednesday quit the party, media reports said.

Talking to ANI, Mitra said, “I have given resignation. I have not decided when or where I will join, I am not going to disclose it.”

Mitra was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009. In June 2010, BJP got him elected to the upper house from Madhya Pradesh. His term ended in 2016.

He is also a member of the BJP’s National Executive, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His name is still featuring in the BJP’s list of National Executive members.

He is expected to expected to join the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on July 21, reported The Hindu. “We are in touch with Mr. Mitra and he is expected to join us, if everything goes alright,” a Trinamool Congress (TMC) official told The Hindu. Mitra, however, told The Hindu on Wednesday that he would not comment till “next Monday” (July 23).

Earlier the week, Mitra said that he had had a meeting with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. “I met her [Mamata Banerjee] for advertisement in my paper in Kolkata. But we did not discuss about my joining [the TMC],” he told The Hindu on Monday.

Mitra, who is the Editor and Managing Director of Delhi-based English language daily ‘The Pioneer’, has been close to Mamata Banerjee.

In BJP, Mitra was considered to be close to party veteran L K Advani. He has been sidelined under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah leadership.

Before him, a senior BJP leader from Rajasthan, Ghanshyam Tiwari had resigned over differences with chief minister Vasundhara Raje and alleged dictatorship in the party under Amit Shah. Earlier, former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha had also quit the party.

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Yogi Adityanath counters Mamata Banerjee over Mrityu-Kumbh remark, calls it attack on faith

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has slammed Mamata Banerjee for her comments on Maha Kumbh, calling her allegations an insult to faith. BJP leaders also joined the counterattack.

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Yogi Adityanath responds to Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on Maha Kumbh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly rebuked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks on the recent Maha Kumbh tragedy, calling her statements an affront to the faith of millions.

Adityanath slams ‘baseless allegations’

In a fiery response to Mamata Banerjee’s critical comments on the Maha Kumbh tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit back, terming her allegations “baseless” and an insult to the faith of millions who participated in the religious event.

The Bengal CM had earlier called the Maha Kumbh a “Mrityu Kumbh” while criticizing the tragic stampede on January 29 that claimed 30 lives. Speaking in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Adityanath emphasized that over 56 crore devotees had participated in the sacred event at the Sangam and accused Banerjee of politicizing the issue.

“Making such baseless allegations is like playing with the faith of these 56 crore people,” Adityanath remarked. He also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and assured government support to the affected families.

‘Politicizing a tragedy is inappropriate,’ says UP CM

Expressing discontent over the politicization of the tragedy, the UP CM questioned the intent behind Banerjee’s remarks. “How is it appropriate to politicize this? The country and the world have participated in this sacred event, dismissing all false narratives,” he asserted.

Adityanath further claimed that it was the “good fortune” of his government to be associated with what he termed “the Maha Kumbh of the century.”

BJP leaders rally behind Adityanath

Joining the counterattack, Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal accused Mamata Banerjee of indulging in “appeasement politics” and claimed that her statements were reflective of an “atheist mindset.”

“They give only shameful statements,” Jaiswal said, underscoring BJP’s firm stance against Banerjee’s comments.

Mamata Banerjee’s sharp critique

The West Bengal Chief Minister had earlier questioned the BJP-led UP government’s response to the tragedy, particularly the failure to recover all 30 bodies.

“I respect the Maha Kumbh and Ganga Maa, but there is no planning. How many bodies have been recovered?” she asked in the Bengal Assembly.

She also criticized the lack of facilities for the poor at the event. “For VIPs, there are arrangements where they can get tents by paying Rs 1 lakh. But for the poor, no proper arrangements are made. A stampede can happen in large public gatherings, but planning is crucial. What planning did you make?” she asked.

Political tensions rise ahead of Bengal elections

This exchange of heated words comes as tensions escalate between the BJP and Mamata Banerjee ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The two sides have also clashed recently over the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital.

With the political battle intensifying, the Maha Kumbh tragedy has become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing war of words between the ruling party in Bengal and the BJP.

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India News

Mamata Banerjee slams BJP over Maha Kumbh tragedy, calls it Mrityu Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh stampede that claimed 30 lives has sparked political outrage, with Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP of negligence and mismanagement.

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Mamata Banerjee

The recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which led to the deaths of 30 people, continues to spark political outrage. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), blaming the ruling party for its alleged mismanagement of the mega religious event.

“This is the ‘Mrityu’ (death) Kumbh… I respect the Maha Kumbh and Ganga Maa, but there was no planning. How many bodies have been recovered?” Banerjee questioned in the Bengal Assembly. She pointed out the glaring lack of arrangements for devotees, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, while alleging that VIP visitors were provided with luxury accommodations.

Opposition demands accountability

The opposition, led by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, has been relentless in its criticism of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav highlighted the extent of the crisis by pointing out reports of a 300-km-long traffic jam around Prayagraj during the event.

“Devotees were stuck in a massive traffic jam. Is this ‘Viksit Bharat’? The government cannot even manage traffic. What is the point of going to the Moon when we cannot resolve issues on Earth?” Yadav asked in Parliament.

He also urged the authorities to extend the event beyond its scheduled end date of February 26, arguing that many pilgrims were still unable to reach the sacred site due to poor management.

Concerns over lack of planning

The opposition’s primary concern remains the alleged negligence in planning and execution. From train delays that caused chaos at New Delhi railway station to inadequate arrangements for the overwhelming crowd, critics argue that the government was unprepared for the influx of crores of devotees.

The UP government, however, has defended its handling of the event, boasting that over 50 crore people have already taken a dip at the ‘sangam’—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Officials have maintained that the event is running smoothly despite challenges.

Political storm ahead of elections

With key elections approaching, the Maha Kumbh tragedy has turned into a major political flashpoint. The opposition is using the incident to corner the BJP, raising questions about its governance and ability to handle large-scale public events. Meanwhile, the BJP has touted the religious significance of the event and its successful execution despite the unfortunate incidents.

As investigations into the stampede continue, questions remain about accountability, transparency, and the safety measures that were—or weren’t—put in place for one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

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India News

Opposition slams Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as Chief Election Commissioner, Congress calls it government’s control move

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Opposition reacts to Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as CEC

The Congress party has raised serious concerns over the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), questioning the urgency behind the decision while the matter is still under judicial review.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs Pramod Tiwari, and Manickam Tagore strongly criticized the move, alleging that the government’s swift action bypassed scrutiny and undermined the democratic process.

Congress calls appointment a violation of constitutional spirit

Reacting sharply, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari termed the move a “contempt of the Supreme Court” and an attack on the Constitution’s core values.

“In a democracy, elections should not only be fair but should also appear to be fair. This appointment, while the Supreme Court is still hearing the matter, raises serious concerns about transparency,” said Tiwari.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore also condemned the appointment, stating that democracy “deserves better.”

“The government’s hasty midnight appointment of the new CEC undermines the spirit of our Constitution and free elections. As LoP Rahul Gandhi rightly said, this should have waited for the SC hearing on February 19,” he posted on X.

Rahul Gandhi’s objection to appointment process

Rahul Gandhi had earlier raised objections regarding the selection process of the CEC, criticizing the government-dominated panel responsible for appointments. During the selection committee meeting, he reportedly submitted a dissent note expressing concerns over the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection panel.

Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal also alleged that the government acted hastily to “circumvent Supreme Court scrutiny.”

“This appointment was done before a clear order could come from the apex court, raising questions about the ruling regime’s intentions. The government is destroying the electoral process and bending the rules for its own benefit,” Venugopal remarked.

First CEC under new appointment law

Gyanesh Kumar is the first Chief Election Commissioner to be appointed under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

His tenure will last till January 26, 2029, just before the Election Commission is expected to announce the next Lok Sabha election schedule.

Congress leaders argue that given the significant changes in the selection law, the government should have waited for the Supreme Court’s verdict before making the appointment.

New election commissioner also appointed

Alongside Gyanesh Kumar, Dr Vivek Joshi has been appointed as an Election Commissioner. He will assume office as per the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Meanwhile, Rajiv Kumar, the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner, is set to demit office on February 18, making way for Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment.

Political impact and Supreme Court’s role

The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter regarding the selection of election commissioners on February 19, where further developments in the case are expected.

With opposition parties raising concerns over electoral transparency and fairness, the government’s decision is likely to remain a contentious issue ahead of the 2024 General Elections.

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