Latest Politics News
Mamata Banerjee visits nephew Abhishek Banerjee ahead of CBI questioning of his wife
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid an unscheduled visit to her nephew Abhishek Banerjee ahead of the CBI questioning of his wife in a coal scam.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid an unscheduled visit to her nephew Abhishek Banerjee ahead of the CBI questioning of his wife in a coal scam. The Chief Minister met her nephew and his family for a few minutes and left the apartment.
Moments after Banerjee’s cavalcade left, a CBI team of around seven-eight officers arrived at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence to question his wife Rujira Banerjee. She had written to the CBI that she is unaware of the reason for questioning but the investigation team can arrive and question her today.
She wrote that she was unaware of the reason for her questioning or the matter of the investigation but the team may visit her residence as per the convenience between 11 am and 3 pm on February 22, 2021.
Abhishek Banerjee alleges that the BJP is targeting him just ahead of the Assembly elections in the state and shared the CBI notice issued to his wife. Launching a scathing attack at the central government, Banerjee tweeted that if they think they can use these ploys to intimidate him, they are mistaken. They are not the ones who would ever be cowed down, he further wrote.
The CBI says it is investigating allegations that leaders of the Trinamool Congress were paid bribes by the coal mafias. Abhishek Banerjee’s sister-in-law Menaka Gambhir was also questioned into the matter for three hours at her South Kolkata apartment on Monday.
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The CBI had filed a case on November 27, 2020 into alleged illegal and coal theft from Kunustoria and Kajoria coal fields of Eastern Coalfield Limited. Reports suggested that there has been transfer of money from accounts linked to coal theft to accounts of Rujira Banerjee and Menaka Gambhir.
On 31 December, the CBI conducted raids on the homes of Vinay Mishra, the general secretary of the Trinamool’s youth wing that is headed by Abhishek Banerjee. Vinay Mishra has been missing since.
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The BJP accuses Abhishek Banerjee, the MP from Diamond Harbour, of involvement in the coal scam and has often referred to him as the coal thief.
However, the Trinamool in its defence says the BJP is misusing the CBI to malign the image of the Chief Minister and her family just ahead of the West Bengal elections due by May.
Latest Politics News
Parliament Special Session: Om Birla cautions MP Ramesh Bidhuri for anti-Muslim slurs, Rajnath Singh apologises
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh underlined that the language should not be used inside or outside the Parliament, adding that he had never heard such a statement.
During the proceedings of Parliament Special Session, Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Bidhuri reportedly used anti-Muslim slurs against his Parliament colleague Danish Ali of the BSP. Taking cognizance of the matter, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla cautioned the BJP member for his remarks in the House, adding that strict action would be taken against him if he repeats such behaviour in future.
Reports state that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh immediately apologised after Bidhuri made the remarks. He apologised to the House as the deputy leader and ensured smooth functioning of the proceedings. According to reports, Ramesh Bhidhuri termed Danish Ali, a militant, terrorist and shouted: throw this mullah out.
Speaking on the incident, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh asserted that what Ramesh Bidhuri said about Danish Ali is highly condemnable. He added that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has apologised but that is insufficient. The congress MP underlined that the language should not be used inside or outside the Parliament, adding that he had never heard such a statement.
Jairam Ramesh further claimed that the incident is not only an insult to Danish Ali but also an insult to all of them. He voiced that the beginning of the new Parliament has been done by Bidhuri and his words and that this shows the intent of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He added that he thinks the matter is a case for suspension and strictest punishment should be taken against him.
In addition, RJD MP Manoj Jha expressed that he was saddened, but not surprised. He added that this is the truth of PM’s Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. He noted that they need to think that if such words were used for an MP in Parliament, then what kind of language against Muslims, Dalits legitimacy has been given. He added that yet the Prime Minister could not say a word on Ramesh Bidhuri.
Latest Politics News
Women’s Reservation Bill a good thing, but two footnotes of census, delimitation were attached, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi further slammed the government for delaying women’s reservation, adding that it is a distraction from demand for conducting caste census.
Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the landmark Women Reservation Bill with no members of Parliament voting against it. Speaking on the same, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed that the historic bill is a good thing, but they have found two footnotes: census will have to be done before implementation of the bill and delimitation attached to it.
The senior Congress leader stated that the truth is that 33 per cent reservation can be given to women in Parliament and state Assemblies today itself. Elaborating on the matter, Rahul Gandhi stated that the problem is implementation of the bill. He enquired what does it mean to place a bill on the floor of the house and implement it 10 years later.
The Congress leader added that BJP should remove two points of census and delimitation and give women their due participation. He mentioned that BJP should also make public the data on caste census which his party did.
He further slammed the government for delaying women’s reservation, adding that it is a distraction from demand for conducting caste census. He also questioned why only three out of 90 bureaucrats are from the OBC community, underlining that the Prime Minister says that he is working a lot for the OBCs.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that having reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was talked about for nearly three decades but earlier efforts lacked commitment and women were even insulted. He added that it is BJP’s good fortune that its government got the opportunity to pass the bill.
Narendra Modi hailed that this is a proof of fulfilling Modi guarantee which will usher a new era of women-led development. He also pointed out a number of government schemes and decisions for women’s welfare, mentioning that his government has made every attempt to unshackle them with programmes for their security, respect and prosperity.
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Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moves Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha, says census, delimitation necessary
Congress MP Rajneeth Ranjan stated that they want rights, adding that women don’t want to be pitied.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Addressing the house, the Union Law Minister noted that census and delimitation are necessary for the quota bill. He further expressed that the historic bill would bring equality to women.
The Union Law Minister underlined that through the Constitutional Amendment Bill, a section will be inserted in Article 330, Article 332 and Article 334. Through these, 1/3rd of the seats will be reserved in Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies of the country, he continued. Arjun Ram Meghwal further hailed that this bill is a major step ahead.
Initiating a debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill, BJP President J P Nadda praised Prime MInister Narendra Modi for the quota bill. He mentioned that the bill will strengthen women’s empowerment. The BJP President further expressed confidence that the Women’s Reservation Bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha unanimously without any obstacles.
On the other hand, debating on the historic bill, Congress MP Rajneeth Ranjan stated that they want rights, adding that women don’t want to be pitied. Referring to the name of bill, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Congress MP remarked that the government should not bow down to them, but provide them equal rights and equal opportunities.
As far as reports are concerned, the Rajya Sabha will allocate seven and a half hours for the bill’s discussion and it is widely expected to receive approval in the Upper House. After the bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha, it will require the approval of the majority of state assemblies. Notably, the implementation of the historic bill will occur following a delimitation exercise based on census data completion. Reportedly, this is the seventh attempt to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
