English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Latest Politics News

Efforts for an anti-BJP front: Mamata Banerjee meets leaders of different political parties

Published

8 years ago

on

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee

Once again, there are moves to form a common front against the dominant political party in the country, the BJP this time.

Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee is spearheading the campaign, with Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar playing a key role. The TMC chief’s present visit to New Delhi is seen as a bid to assemble forces against the BJP in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Whether it results – if it results in anything – in a third front without the Congress or the latter joins it remains to be seen. But even if it joins in, it seems the Congress would have to be content with a secondary role. Past experience of third front with Congress – or with the BJP, for that matter – have not been happy as both have ditched the alliance mid-way.

Besides, the Left parties are not part of these talks – at least yet. Apart from Left parties own reservations, a major stumbling block would be part of a tie-up involving bitter rival Mamata’s TMC. In comparison, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party and Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party have been more willing to work together.

As of now, talks are on with others. Mamata Banerjee is in Delhi and meeting various leaders. On Tuesday, March 27, Banerjee held a series of meetings with several leaders of the opposition parties in New Delhi, including Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP K Kavitha, daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

“When political people meet then, of course, they will discuss politics, there is nothing to hide in that. The Lok Sabha election of 2019 will certainly be very interesting,” Banerjee told reporters after the meeting with Raut. The meeting assumes significance as the Shiv Sena, the BJP’s embittered ally in Maharashtra, has announced to break the tie-up before 2019.

She said that she will be meeting rebel BJP leaders Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha, and Arun Shourie on Wednesday.

The West Bengal chief minister urged all the political parties to come together to stop the winning streak of BJP in the elections. “We want all opposition parties to work together. We should help the strongest opposition party in a particular state to fight the BJP. It should be one fight,” the TMC chief told reporters.

The TMC leader said that the BJP has lost all credibility and there is an anti-BJP wave in the country. “People are against the BJP. I have travelled to all the states. I know the mood of the people. Issues like demonetization, GST, bank fraud have affected people even at the grassroot level. The time has come for this BJP to pack up and go,” she said.

While the signals on the Congress’ inclusion in such a front are mixed, party leader Ashwani Kumar has called on Mamata Banerjee.

On meeting Sonia Gandhi, with whom the Trinamool Congress shares a warm rapport, Mamata said that she would meet the UPA chief “once she is fine”.

“Yes, Soniaji is not well right now and recovering. We will meet her once she is fine,” she said.

The Trinamool chief also had a one-on-one interaction with Ram Gopal Yadav, a Samajwadi Party MP and a close aide of Akhilesh Yadav. At a press conference later, she said, “I am ready to speak to Maya-Akhilesh. Let Akhilesh call a meeting in Lucknow, we are ready to meet them in Lucknow itself.”

“Will certainly go if they (Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav) call us to Lucknow,” she said.

Banerjee’s meetings on Tuesday came at a time opposition parties as well as former BJP ally Telugu Desam party (TDP) have come together to move a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.

The TDP has recently ended its four-year alliance with the BJP and announced its exit from NDA over its demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Mamata Banerjee could also meet Aam Aadmi Party convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during her stay in the Capital.

According to sources, Mamata Banerjee is likely to meet National Conference leaders Omar and Farooq Abdullah later.

In her interaction with DMK MP Kanimozhi, Mamata Banerjee said that she is confident that the “DMK is coming to power” and the party has her support.

Mamata also met Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP and Lalu Prasad’s daughter Misa Bharti and senior party leader JP Yadav. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Anubhav Mohanty and his wife also called on Mamata Banerjee.

Following her meeting with NCP and RJD leaders, Mamata said the “Lok Sabha elections of 2019 will certainly be interesting”.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

Mamata beater Suvendu Adhikari set to become next West Bengal CM

Suvendu Adhikari emerged as the BJP’s choice for West Bengal Chief Minister after the party’s legislature meeting in Kolkata following its historic Assembly election victory.

Published

11 hours ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

Suvendu-Adhikari

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal after being elected leader of the BJP legislature party during a key meeting in Kolkata on Thursday.

The development comes days after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’ long rule in the state. Party leaders met in the presence of senior central leadership to finalise the chief ministerial face ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the legislature party meeting where Adhikari’s name was formally announced. Reports said the BJP leadership backed him after he emerged as the party’s strongest face in Bengal politics over the past few years.

Adhikari played a major role in the BJP’s campaign across the state and remained one of the party’s most aggressive leaders against the ruling Trinamool Congress. He also defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the Assembly elections, strengthening his position within the party.

The BJP’s victory is being viewed as a major political shift in West Bengal, where the party is set to form its first government. Adhikari, once a senior Trinamool Congress leader, had joined the BJP before the 2021 Assembly elections and later became Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

Following the announcement, celebrations were reported outside Adhikari’s residence in East Midnapore, with party workers distributing sweets and raising slogans in support of the BJP leader.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government is expected to take place in Kolkata on May 9, where Adhikari will officially assume charge as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Continue Reading

India News

Suvendu Adhikari emerges frontrunner for Bengal Chief Minister post

Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading candidate for the West Bengal Chief Minister post as BJP prepares to form its first government in the state. Reports suggest the new cabinet may also include two deputy chief ministers.

Published

16 hours ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading contender for the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal as the party prepares to form its first government in the state following its Assembly election victory.

The BJP legislature party is scheduled to meet in Kolkata to elect its leader, a decision that is expected to formally determine the next Chief Minister. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Kolkata ahead of the meeting and is overseeing the selection process.

Sources cited in media reports suggest the new BJP-led government may also appoint two deputy chief ministers, a post that has remained vacant in West Bengal for nearly two decades. One of the deputy CM positions could reportedly go to a woman leader. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul is among the names being discussed for the role.

Another deputy chief minister could be chosen from north Bengal, with former Union minister Nisith Pramanik being seen as a possible contender, according to reports. There is also speculation that the BJP leadership may consider a representative from the tribal community for a senior cabinet role.

Adhikari, who played a key role in the BJP’s election campaign, defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the recently concluded Assembly elections. The BJP secured a two-thirds majority in the 294-member Assembly, paving the way for its first government in West Bengal.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is expected to take place on May 9 in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the event.

Continue Reading

India News

West Bengal BJP government set for oath ceremony as suspense over new CM continues

The BJP is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after securing a massive Assembly election victory, with the new Chief Minister expected to be chosen during a legislature party meeting in Kolkata.

Published

20 hours ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

The Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled for May 9 in Kolkata, while suspense continues over the party’s Chief Ministerial choice.

According to reports, the BJP legislature party is expected to meet on Friday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to elect its leader formally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post following the BJP’s strong performance in the elections. Other names reportedly under consideration include Samik Bhattacharya, Sukanta Majumdar and Swapan Dasgupta.

The political developments come a day after Governor RN Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and state cabinet following the completion of the Assembly election process. The dissolution order was issued under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution after outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declined to submit her resignation despite the Trinamool Congress losing power.

The BJP secured a clear majority in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. The election outcome marks a major political shift in West Bengal, where the BJP is set to form a government for the first time.

Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where senior BJP leaders and party supporters are expected to gather for the event.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com