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Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of influencing exit polls to demoralise TMC workers, asserts her party will cross 226 seats, and raises concerns over central forces and EVM security ahead of counting.

Will win 226 seats; exit polls predictions made at BJP's behest to demoralise TMC workers: Mamata

Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of influencing exit polls to demoralise TMC workers, asserts her party will cross 226 seats, and raises concerns over central forces and EVM security ahead of counting.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday dismissed exit poll projections, saying they were aired at the &ldquo;instruction of the BJP&rdquo; to demoralise her party and asserted that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would win more than 226 seats in the assembly polls.
She also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging central forces acted as &ldquo;agents of the BJP&rdquo;, and took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks made on Wednesday that "the poll results will strengthen the resolve of a developed India", wondering how he can make such a comment when voting was on.
In a video message shared on social media ahead of counting on May 4, Banerjee claimed television channels ran projections circulated from the BJP office, alleging a coordinated attempt to shape public perception.
&ldquo;I want to reassure you that what is being shown on TV, that circular was issued from the BJP office at 1.08 pm yesterday. Money was paid to show those figures. The media was forced to air it,&rdquo; she said.
Her remarks came a day after most exit polls predicted a majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 294-member Assembly, where the halfway mark is 148, with several projections giving it over 150 seats, a narrative the TMC chief sought to counter forcefully.
Exuding confidence about her party&rsquo;s prospects, Banerjee said the TMC would comfortably cross the two-thirds mark.
&ldquo;We will cross 226. We may even get 230. I have full faith in the way people have voted,&rdquo; she said.
Thanking voters for their participation, she struck an emotional note, saying, &ldquo;Even in such scorching heat, and despite so much oppression, the way you stood in queues to vote -- we are grateful. I am also grateful to my workers. They fought with everything they had. They endured a lot of oppression. Those who tried to subdue Bengal have themselves been subdued in the ballot box.&rdquo;
Alleging widespread intimidation during polling, Banerjee said Trinamool workers faced &ldquo;joint oppression&rdquo; by central forces and sections of the police.
&ldquo;The BJP intimidates everyone through ED, CBI. The conduct of the central forces yesterday, and some of the newly appointed police personnel who were not under my control - they beat women, they beat children,&rdquo; she claimed.
The chief minister also trained her guns on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that central forces acted as &ldquo;agents of the BJP&rdquo; during the entire polling process.
&ldquo;At direct instructions of Amit Shah, central forces have been working in West Bengal as agents of the BJP in the entire polling process,&rdquo; she claimed.
He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on the last day of polling from Uttar Pradesh, where he had said voters are casting their vote in West Bengal this time in a "fearless atmosphere", which was unimaginable in the past six or seven decades." He also asserted that the assembly poll results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India.
&ldquo;How can he say Bengal is his during elections? Does he know Bengal? Does he know its soil? He knows no one here,&rdquo; she said.
Referring to the reported death of a voter in Udaynarayanpur in a polling booth, she said, &ldquo;I have no words to console the bereaved family of the gentleman who died while going to vote. We will stand by that family.&rdquo;
The CM alleged that her party workers were &ldquo;one-sidedly attacked&rdquo; but did not retreat, and that many were deliberately arrested to prevent them from acting as polling agents.
She cited incidents from areas such as Bhatpara, Noapara, Jagaddal and her own constituency, Bhabanipur.
&ldquo;Our workers were beaten so that they could not function as agents. Even in Bhabanipur, raids were conducted throughout the night. I have not slept for two days,&rdquo; she said.
Calling the exit poll predictions a &ldquo;BJP conspiracy&rdquo;, Banerjee further alleged that they were aired to influence economic sentiment and demoralise her cadre.
&ldquo;I have information that this was done to comfort the share market. If the truth comes out, the market will crash. So the BJP used the media for this last game, to demoralise our workers,&rdquo; she said, recalling discrepancies between exit poll projections and actual results in 2016 and 2021.
In a strong organisational directive, Banerjee asked party leaders, candidates and workers to remain on high alert during counting and guard strong rooms housing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
&ldquo;You must guard the counting centres. If needed, I will also go and guard my area. Candidates must guard themselves. Stay awake. If I can do it, so can you. There is a plan to change the machines while transporting EVMs. Do not take this lightly,&rdquo; she said.
&ldquo;Until I formally say so in a press conference, no one should leave the counting table,&rdquo; Banerjee added.
The TMC supremo cautioned workers against leaving counting tables unattended even briefly.
&ldquo;During counting, sit firmly at the centres. Even if someone needs to go to the toilet or eat, it should not be for more than two minutes. Leave someone trustworthy in your place, someone who cannot be bought with money,&rdquo; she said.
Despite the sharp allegations, Banerjee appealed for restraint.
&ldquo;Even if they attack you, do not retaliate immediately. There has been a lot of violence. Our workers were beaten and bloodied in Bhangar. They will be answered &mdash; but no one should take the law into their own hands. We will take action,&rdquo; the CM said.
Banerjee said she was &ldquo;100 per cent confident&rdquo; of a win and urged all TMC candidates to remain vigilant till the final results are declared.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya dismissed her allegations as a sign of nervousness.
&ldquo;She is very well aware that she is losing the polls and that is why she is making such a statement to keep her party workers charged up,&rdquo; he said, terming her remarks a &ldquo;panic reaction&rdquo; to an &ldquo;imminent defeat&rdquo;.
The sharp exchange underscores the high-stakes nature of the Bengal verdict, with both narrative and numbers under intense contest ahead of counting day.

Election Commission seeks explanation from Mallikarjun Kharge within 24 hours after his “terrorist” remark on PM Modi sparks political row ahead of polls.

EC issues ‘stern notice’ to Congress chief Kharge for calling PM Modi ‘terrorist’

Election Commission seeks explanation from Mallikarjun Kharge within 24 hours after his &ldquo;terrorist&rdquo; remark on PM Modi sparks political row ahead of polls.

The Election Commission on Wednesday took &ldquo;serious note&rdquo; of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a &ldquo;terrorist&rdquo; and issued him with a &ldquo;stern notice&rdquo;, officials said.
He has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours, they said.
The notice comes a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Modi of &ldquo;terrorising&rdquo; political parties by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which attacked the opposition leader for calling Modi a &ldquo;terrorist&rdquo;.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a &ldquo;terrorist&rdquo; while criticising the AIADMK&rsquo;s alliance with the BJP.
Questioning how the AIADMK &mdash; a party rooted in the Dravidian ideologies of Periyar and C N Annadurai &mdash; could justify partnering with Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said, &ldquo;How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai&hellip; how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist&hellip;
&ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t believe in equality. His party won&rsquo;t believe in equality and justice&hellip;&rdquo; However, when asked by reporters to clarify the context of the remark, Kharge said he meant that the prime minister was &ldquo;terrorising&rdquo; the democratic fabric of the country.
&ldquo;He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this&hellip; he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, maligning opposition parties,&rdquo; Kharge said.

Mamata Banerjee asserted that Trinamool Congress will return to power in West Bengal for a fourth term, claiming people do not want the Bharatiya Janata Party. 

No one wants BJP to form govt, TMC will return to power again: Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee asserted that Trinamool Congress will return to power in West Bengal for a fourth term, claiming people do not want the Bharatiya Janata Party.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asserted that the TMC will return to power in the state for the fourth consecutive term, claiming that &ldquo;no one wants the BJP to form government&rdquo;.
Addressing a poll rally at Haldia in Purba Medinipur district, Banerjee also urged opposition parties to come together to oust the BJP-led NDA government from the Centre.
"The BJP will not win the elections in West Bengal this time. The Trinamool Congress will again form the government. We will also throw out the BJP from Delhi in 2026 itself," Banerjee asserted.
The TMC chief said she has been extensively touring West Bengal for the last one month, and during this period, "I have understood what people want; it is clear that no one wants the BJP."
Slamming the BJP for its &lsquo;chargesheet&rsquo; against the TMC dispensation over alleged financial irregularities and other issues, the CM said she was also issuing a chargesheet against the saffron party for &ldquo;taking cut-money (commission)&rdquo; in the Haldia dock complex and adjoining industrial area.
"You gave a chargesheet against the TMC; I am also issuing one against the BJP,&rdquo; Banerjee said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had on March 28 unveiled a chargesheet against the TMC dispensation, accusing it of corruption, deterioration in law and order and facilitation of infiltration.
The chief minister, without naming anyone, said, "There is one traitor who takes cut money (commission) from truck drivers, workers' wages and companies in the Haldia port and industrial area."
She claimed that the "traitor" takes 50 per cent of the money and sends the rest &ldquo;to one of his leaders&rdquo;.
Banerjee also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for stating in a recent rally that he was the BJP candidate in all 294 seats going to polls in West Bengal.
"You have to quit the post of the prime minister first for that to happen," she said.
The assembly elections will be held in two phases - on April 23 and April 29.
Votes will be counted on May 4.
Alleging malpractice during vote counting in the 2021 election in Nandigram, where BJP's Suvendu Adhikari defeated her, Banerjee asked TMC workers to come up with the name and address of anyone who may indulge in irregularities.
"We will have to send them sweets after the counting of votes, wherever in the country they are," she said.
Banerjee said several industries are coming up in the state and healthcare facilities are being upgraded.
Addressing another rally at Jagaddal in North 24 Parganas district, the CM asserted that she would go wherever any wrongdoing takes place during the elections.
"If I am stopped, I will hold a 'satyagraha' sitting in my house," she said.
Banerjee also said that she has never seen an election for which so many central forces, observers and other officers have been deployed.
A record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces that comprise nearly 2.5 lakh personnel have been deployed by the Election Commission for the West Bengal assembly polls.
At Jorasanko in north Kolkata, where Banerjee addressed another public meeting, she criticised the Election Commission for imposing restrictions on riding motorcycles before polling days.
"How will people commute, go home from work if they are not allowed to take their motorbikes out?" she said.
The EC has imposed restrictions on riding motorcycles and motorbike rallies on polling days and 48 hours prior to it "for conduct of free, fair, peaceful and violence-free elections".
The TMC supremo also claimed that the BJP makes false promises to win over voters before elections, and accused the Narendra Modi government of selling stakes in public sector undertakings.
"They (the BJP) accuse TMC of being corrupt; it is you and your government in every state and everyone in your party who are corrupt," Banerjee alleged.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge intensified his attack on PM Narendra Modi, alleging misuse of central agencies to target opposition parties. He clarified his “terrorist” remark, saying he meant the PM was “terrorising” democratic institutions.

Mallikarjun Kharge calls PM Modi a 'terrorist', later clarifies his remarks

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge intensified his attack on PM Narendra Modi, alleging misuse of central agencies to target opposition parties. He clarified his &ldquo;terrorist&rdquo; remark, saying he meant the PM was &ldquo;terrorising&rdquo; democratic institutions.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "terrorising" political parties and people by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition.
Addressing a press conference here alongside AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, Kharge initially referred to the Prime Minister as a "terrorist" while criticising the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP.
Questioning how the AIADMK -- a party rooted in the Dravidian ideologies of Periyar (EV Ramasamy) and C N Annadurai -- could justify partnering with PM Modi, Kharge said: "How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai... how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist... he doesn't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy."
However, when pressed by reporters to clarify the context of the "terrorist" remark, the Congress chief stated he meant the Prime Minister was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of the country.
"He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, malingning opposition parties," Kharge said.
He cited the alleged manipulation of voter lists through "pro form number six and seven" as evidence of this misuse, further alleging that the Prime Minister has the Chief Election Commissioner "in his pocket."
The Congress chief alleged that the Election Commission has become an "extension of the BJP office" and accused PM Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct in the final stages of the election campaign.
He further claimed that central agencies like the CBI, ED, and Income Tax department were being deployed as tools of intimidation against political workers.
Kharge questioned the timing of recent raids, asking, "Why now only raids taking place during the election. That too against select people, select parties."
Reaffirming the strength of the DMK-Congress alliance, both Kharge and Venugopal dismissed reports of a rift between Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, describing them as "like brothers".
Kharge pointed to Gandhi's extensive "Kanyakumari to Kashmir" and "Manipur to Mumbai" marches as proof of a commitment that surpasses any other leader, dismissing rumours of a rift as "media creation."
"We have a legacy of having an alliance with the DMK for the last so many years," Venugopal added, noting that the two parties "stood like a rock" when the special session was called to "prevent" Tamil Nadu MPs from attending, in an apparent reference to last week's special sitting of Lok Sabha.
He, however, said that Congress and DMK are two different parties with their "own ambitions".
"But whenever the nation was in crisis, we stood like a rock. DMK always supported Congress, Congress always supported DMK," the Alappuzha MP said.
Replying to a question about the Women's Reservation Bill, Kharge accused the Prime Minister of "misleading" the public.
He noted that while the opposition supported the bill in 2023, the government has tied its implementation to a future census and delimitation -- a move he described as a "trap" for progressive states.
"If he truly intends to implement it, he can provide 33 per cent reservation to women within the existing 543 [seats]... Why is he not giving? He only notified the 2023 bill at 3 am on the 16th (of April), which shows his real intentions," Kharge argued.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act, 2023) was passed in September 2023.
However, it was not "self-executing".
It contained a clause stating it would only come into force on a date appointed by the Central Government.
On April 16, the government introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, proposing 850 Lok Sabha seats, which also linked women's reservation to the expansion.
However, as the 2023 Act had never been formally notified, the government could not technically move the 2026 amendments to it.
Consequently, the Ministry of Law &amp; Justice issued a gazette notification late at night on April 16, around 9.55 pm.
Furthermore, Kharge challenged the government's legislative strategy, asking why a Constitutional Amendment -- which usually requires a two-thirds majority -- was being pursued with a simple majority.
Venugopal added that the government is attempting to undermine Article 82, which provides a "safety cover" for states' parliamentary representation, by shifting that power to the Delimitation Commission.
He warned that the government's plan for delimitation would "punish" progressive states, particularly in south India, for their success in population control.
"Our population has gone down... can you punish us for following the program of the government," he asked, noting that states with exploding populations would unfairly gain seats.
"They intended to deny the democratic rights of south Indian states, north eastern states, and progressive states. Modi and (Union Home minister Amit) Shah want to punish these states for their progress," he added.
On the campaign trail, Kharge dismissed the influence of other parties, including TVK chief Vijay, reaffirming that the Congress-DMK alliance is the only force capable of protecting Tamil Nadu's identity.
He reiterated the alliance's "key commitments" for the state, including Rs 2,000 monthly assistance for women and senior citizens, Rs 2,500 monthly for families for food security, and a promise to fill all government vacancies within 300 days.

The BJP hit out at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for calling PM Narendra Modi a “terrorist,” rejecting his clarification and alleging it was a deliberate attack influenced by Rahul Gandhi.

Congress abusing PM Modi because he wants women's quota: BJP slams Kharge's 'terrorist' remark

The BJP hit out at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for calling PM Narendra Modi a &ldquo;terrorist,&rdquo; rejecting his clarification and alleging it was a deliberate attack influenced by Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP on Tuesday condemned Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist", saying this reflects the mindset of the main opposition party and people will give them a befitting reply.
The ruling party claimed that Kharge has made such disparaging remarks against Modi at the behest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi because the prime minister wanted to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The BJP's reaction came after Kharge accused Prime Minister Modi of terrorising political parties and people by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai alongside AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a "terrorist" while criticising the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP.
However, when pressed by reporters to clarify the context of the remark, the Congress chief said he meant the prime minister was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of the country.
"He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing opposition parties," the Congress president said.
Reacting sharply to Kharge's remarks, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "The kind of words Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has chosen for Prime Minister Narendra Modi today is not only condemnable but reflects the mindset of the Congress party. Kharge called him a terrorist."
Patra rejected Kharge's clarification and alleged that the Congress president deliberately called the prime minister a terrorist at the behest of Rahul Gandhi.
"This is not a slip of tongue. It's deliberate. Even though they are giving any clarification, it is a deliberate conspiracy of the Congress," the BJP MP said in a video message.
"You must be observing that for the last few days how Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders are making indecent remarks against the prime minister. Every day Rahul Gandhi in his speech refers to the prime minister in a disrespectful manner," the BJP leader said.
Patra also alleged that the Congress leaders keep abusing the prime minister because his government is providing water to every household, houses and free ration to people under various schemes.
They have also been abusing PM Modi because his government is implementing various other welfare schemes like Mudra Yojna, the BJP leader said.
He said that the Congress president has now called the prime minister a "terrorist" just because he wanted 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
"This is the same Congress party which used to address Osama bin Laden as Osama ji and is seen standing with big terrorists but calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terrorist. This the same Congress party which had described Zakir Naik 'apostle of peace' but calls the prime minister a terrorist," Patra said.
"The Congress leaders must remember that whenever they have abused the prime minister, people of India have punished the Congress party. This time also they will give befitting reply," he added.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a swipe at Amit Shah’s “political shrewdness” during a Lok Sabha debate, accusing the government of undermining democracy and sidelining OBC rights while pushing women’s reservation.

If Chankaya was alive, he would've been startled by your political shrewdness: Priyanka to Amit Shah

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a swipe at Amit Shah&rsquo;s &ldquo;political shrewdness&rdquo; during a Lok Sabha debate, accusing the government of undermining democracy and sidelining OBC rights while pushing women&rsquo;s reservation.

In friendly banter, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday told Home Minister Amit Shah that had Chankaya been alive today, he would have been startled by the BJP leader's "political shrewdness".
Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on three bills introduced for amendments to the women's quota law and setting up a delimitation commission, Priyanka Gandhi accused the government of once again wanting to "dupe" people and launching a "big attack on the country's integrity&rdquo;.
"On the one hand there is this big talk of women's reservation, and on the other hand, the rights of OBCs are being taken away. A strong structure is being erected for the next polls by reducing the influence of small states, shredding democracy to pieces," Priyanka Gandhi alleged.
"The home minister is laughing&hellip; He has made this full scheme. Had Chankaya been alive, he would have been startled by your political shrewdness (&lsquo;rajnaitik kutilta&rsquo;). He (Shah) made the whole plan, and he is laughing now&hellip; He agrees with me," the Wayanad MP said.
Hitting out at the government, she claimed the plan involved calling a sitting of Parliament during elections, not calling an all-party meeting, sharing the draft of the bill just a day before the sitting so that the opposition does not get a chance to deliberate on it, starting a discussion in media that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to take a big step for women's empowerment and put the opposition in a bind.
"Women's reservation on one hand, and independence to change the structure and neglect the OBC section on the other. It is one thing to be shrewd in politics, and probably we should be a bit more shrewd on this side of the aisle, but it&rsquo;s another thing to take the right decision in national interest, keeping aside the aspirations to remain in power," Priyanka Gandhi said.
In her remarks, she also took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi, saying that from his remarks, it appeared as though the BJP is the sole champion of women's reservation.
"Any woman will tell you that women can instantly spot men who repeatedly try to mislead them," she said.
Giving a background to women's reservation in legislative bodies, the Congress MP said, "When the Women's Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, the Congress extended its full support to it, in alignment with its core ideology. There should be no doubt whatsoever that the Congress stands firmly in favour of women's reservation.&rdquo;
Taking a dig at the government, she said the story began with a man named Nehru "but not the one you try to avoid".
"Motilal Nehru Ji prepared a report in 1928, which he submitted to the Congress Working Committee. Motilal Nehru Ji was the chairman of a committee, and at that time, he prepared a list of 19 fundamental rights.&ldquo;
"In 1931, under the chairmanship of Sardar (Vallabhbhai) Patel Ji, the Karachi session was held, in which this resolution was passed. It was then that the issue of equal rights for women was included in India's politics," she said.
&ldquo;At the same time, the principle of 'One Vote, One Citizen, One Value' was implemented in our politics,&rdquo; Priyanka Gandhi said, adding that due to this principle, women got the right to vote from the very first day of Independence.
&ldquo;In countries like America, women had to wait 150 years for this right,&rdquo; she said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah calls electoral roll revision a key issue in West Bengal polls, accuses Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee of political violence, and expresses confidence in BJP forming the next government.

SIR 'major issue' for Bengal polls, people firm on throwing infiltrators out of state: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah calls electoral roll revision a key issue in West Bengal polls, accuses Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee of political violence, and expresses confidence in BJP forming the next government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the SIR of electoral rolls is a "major issue" in the upcoming West Bengal assembly polls, and stated that the people have resolved to throw infiltrators out of the state.
Speaking to PTI Videos at his roadshow in Paschim Bardhaman district's Durgapur, Shah said the responsibility for the political violence in Bengal lies only with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, who is the TMC's general secretary.
"SIR is indeed a major issue for West Bengal. Should there be foreign voters in this country? India is not a charitable home. Infiltrators must be thrown out. No matter what Mamata Banerjee says, people have resolved to remove infiltrators from the state this time," he said.
The Union Home Minister said the BJP would definitely form a government in Bengal after the polls.
"There is only one state left in the country where political violence is most commonplace, and the responsibility for that lies only with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee," Shah said.
Pointing to the huge crowd lined up on the streets during the roadshow, he said, "Look at the attendance of people. TMC goons will not even be able to leave their homes on the days of polls this time around."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Mamata Banerjee-led TMC of fostering “syndicate Raj” and illegal coal mining in West Bengal, promising a crackdown and development push if BJP comes to power.

Will abolish TMC’s mafia Raj weighing heavily on people: PM Modi in Asansol industrial hub

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Mamata Banerjee-led TMC of fostering &ldquo;syndicate Raj&rdquo; and illegal coal mining in West Bengal, promising a crackdown and development push if BJP comes to power.

Assuring abolition of &ldquo;cut-money culture and syndicate Raj of the TMC&rdquo; in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday alleged that mafia Raj spanning across illegal extraction of coal and sand has cast a stranglehold on the people of the state.
Addressing a rally at the Polo Grounds in Asansol in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, Modi also alleged that black marketing of illegal coal extracted from the region, which serves as the state&rsquo;s coal belt, has reached unprecedented levels under the Mamata Banerjee regime.
This was Modi&rsquo;s second election rally of the day after his first at Purba Medinipur&rsquo;s port city of Haldia, where he announced six guarantees for Bengal if the BJP wins the Assembly polls and sought the ouster of the "'nirmam'" (cruel) TMC government, accusing it of "setting new parameters of development debacle and pulling the state back".
&ldquo;The coal belt of Asansol is now ruled by TMC&rsquo;s syndicate Raj. Those involved in illegal coal, sand and soil extraction have cast their stranglehold on people,&rdquo; Modi said to the large gathering from Asansol, considered to be an industrial hub and known for its premium coal production and mining activities.
Asserting that a regime change in West Bengal was inevitable as the TMC's "repository of sins" had become full, Modi advocated for a Trinamool-mukt Bengal to ensure its progress and development.
&ldquo;The Trinamool&rsquo;s repository of sins is full. Bengal is yearning for a double-engine government. Following May 4, the state will enter into a new era of development,&rdquo; the PM said, referring to the date of counting of votes.
Beginning his speech by invoking local deities, Goddesses Kalyaneshwari and Ghagar Buri Chandi, Modi moved on to highlight the state&rsquo;s &ldquo;industrial and economic decadence&rdquo; stating that Bengal&rsquo;s contribution in national GDP has slid to mere five per cent from 12 per cent earlier.
"A regime change in Bengal is now cast in stone and sought by the people of Asansol like in all other parts of the state," the Prime Minister said, adding, &ldquo;This is not merely an election to change the government, it&rsquo;s an opportunity to return industrial prowess to Asansol.&rdquo;
Modi referred to the once thriving industrial belt in Asansol where manufacturing units cutting across premium products held base, and said, &ldquo;Investment has taken flight from Asansol&rsquo;s industrial landscape. Only the BJP's double-engine government can help rectify the void.&rdquo;
He said the Centre allocated Rs 45,000 crore for the revival of industries in Asansol.
Modi stressed that both Asansol and Durgapur reserved the potential to become megacities, and assured the people that the BJP-led NDA government will bring that development once in state power.
The PM alleged, "The TMC has only given 'nirmamta' (cruelty) to the region, while the BJP-led Centre has developed Asansol despite hurdles created by the state&rsquo;s ruling party."
Speaking of the alleged rise in cases of crimes against women in the industrial region, Modi claimed that Bengal topped the country in cases of acid attacks.
&ldquo;The TMC stands with those who torture women. The criminals enjoy ruling party patronage and are moving around freely. Only the BJP can ensure women's safety," he said.
Modi insisted that &ldquo;rule of law&rdquo; will be established in Bengal after the &ldquo;TMC is ousted from power on May 4&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Every TMC goon will be picked up and held to task. My mantra for those who looted and destroyed Bengal is brace for accountability because each and every culprit will be made to pay,&rdquo; he said.
The Prime Minister also drew the crowd&rsquo;s attention to the Malda gherao of judicial officers last week and subsequent violence in Mothabari over disgruntlement over SIR deletions, stating the incident dealt &ldquo;the last nail in the coffin of Trinamool&rsquo;s jungalraj&rdquo;.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the successful completion of 'Operation Tiger' after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the ruling Shiv Sena, strengthening his position within the Mahayuti alliance.

'Operation Tiger is complete,' roars Shinde as 6 Uddhav MPs join his Sena; calls them Dhurandhar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the successful completion of 'Operation Tiger' after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the ruling Shiv Sena, strengthening his position within the Mahayuti alliance.

"Operation Tiger is complete now," announced Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday, as all six rebel Lok Sabha members from the Shiv Sena (UBT) officially crossed over to the ruling Shiv Sena, formalising another split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
The rebels joined the Shiv Sena at an event in the presence of Shinde and other senior party leaders, five days after skipping a crucial parliamentary party meeting of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by only three Lok Sabha MPs of the Opposition party.
The Lok Sabha MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) who crossed over are: Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli), Omprakash Rajenimbalkar (Dharashiv) and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi).
"My operations are fool proof," said Shinde while referring to the six defected MPs as Dhurandhar (stalwarts/experts) who are connected to ground.
"Operation Tiger" is now complete and successful," the Deputy CM declared while talking to reporters and added the Shiv Sena is now the second largest party in Maharashtra in terms of MPs.
Notably, Operation Tiger was the name given to the Shiv Sena's move to engineer defections in the Thackeray camp and wean over MPs to its side.
These rebel parliamentarians had won against BJP and Shiv Sena candidates in the 2024 general elections. The Shiv Sena (UBT) had bagged nine Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in 2024.
The entry of the dissident MPs in the Shiv Sena is expected to give a boost to bargaining power of Shinde in the ruling coalition Mahayuti, which also consists of the BJP and the NCP.
Shinde said, "These Lok Sabha members have now joined the original Shiv Sena that follows the teachings of (party founder) late Balasaheb Thackeray. Four years back I took a strong step and now I have hit a sixer (a reference to the number of MPs who have switched loyalties)."
He also referred to his rebellion in June 2022 in the united Shiv Sena which brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and catapulted him to the post of chief minister.
"I did it earlier (split Shiv Sena) to save the principles of late Balasaheb Thackeray and to save the Shiv Sena. Now, this move (rebellion in the Lok Sabha wing of the Sena UBT) is the second stage of Shiv Sena expansion," Shinde asserted.
All of them will contest on the Shiv Sena symbol in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls from their respective constituencies and will get elected for sure, he said while responding to a question.
"Maharashtra is a progressive state. New people are joining our party because our agenda is of development and progress. You know that I am a man who keeps his word. People are trusting me and the Sena, which is a party of workers and common person," he insisted.
Without taking names of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, Shinde advised them to introspect instead of resorting to abuses, an oblique reference to Thackeray aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who launched an expletive-laden tirade against the rebels last week.
"It is time for introspection for those whose party these MPs have left. They start abusing in the morning, and change the tone in the evening and try to appease them. There seems to be some problem with them," Shinde said.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted the rebel MPs consulted their supporters before switching sides and assured his full support to them.
"All these MPs have spoken to their supporters and then decided to join the Shiv Sena. I am there to solve even your personal problems," Shinde maintained.
"Those who have been abusing us since 2022, let them do their work. They will increase their troubles," he said, taking potshots at his rivals in the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Shinde assured there will be no shortage of funds for development of the Lok Sabha constituencies represented by the rebel MPs.

Politics

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee launched a sharp attack on Abhishek Banerjee, accusing him of arrogance and poor leadership, while urging Mamata Banerjee to choose between her nephew and veteran party loyalists.

'Choose between Abhishek and me': Kalyan issues ultimatum to Mamata amid TMC imbroglio

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee launched a sharp attack on Abhishek Banerjee, accusing him of arrogance and poor leadership, while urging Mamata Banerjee to choose between her nephew and veteran party loyalists.

Senior TMC leader and MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday issued an ultimatum to party supremo Mamata Banerjee to choose between her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and veterans like him, accusing the party national general secretary of &ldquo;arrogance&rdquo; and &ldquo;fluctuating mindset&rdquo;.
Kalyan, also a senior advocate, declared he would remove himself from all legal matters and court petitions concerning Abhishek, although the MP said he would continue contesting cases related to the party.
The development comes amid the TMC supremo facing a serious existential crisis following fractures at both the Bengal assembly and in Parliament alongside multiple resignations, with an overwhelming majority of rebel MLAs and MPs challenging Abhishek&rsquo;s leadership after the party&rsquo;s assembly poll debacle.
Kalyan, who resigned as the TMC chief whip in Lok Sabha in August last year and was recently reappointed to the post in the wake of the rebellion of 20 party MPs in the Lower House, has so far remained among the few still standing in support of the Mamata Banerjee-led party structure and has strongly criticised the rebel camp.
The rift between the two leaders, however, came to a tipping point after Kalyan &ndash; who had been representing Abhishek in the Calcutta High Court in a signature forgery case of the CID &ndash; was allegedly informed that a separate writ petition was filed by the Diamond Harbour MP with regard to the search operations conducted by the agency at the TMC office at Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s Kalighat residence and Abhishek&rsquo;s Camac Street office.
&ldquo;The two cases are connected, and I had mentioned the search operation issue before the bench that was hearing the signature forgery matter. The legal strategy was to seek leave in the forgery case, citing the illegal search operation. The judge had listed the matter to be heard on Thursday. Post midnight, some emissaries of Abhishek came to me to inform that a separate writ has been filed on the CID raid issue. I was taken aback since I had no knowledge of it,&rdquo; Kalyan told reporters.
The advocate alleged that when he asked why he wasn&rsquo;t taken into confidence, they told him that it was done &ldquo;on directions from the top&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Had I known about this, I wouldn&rsquo;t have mentioned the matter before the judge because two separate benches cannot hear the same matter. Abhishek has many advisors, and so I have told the party I would not represent him in any court cases in future, as it is impossible to deal with such arrogance and fluctuating mindset. I was later informed that a junior lawyer would contest his cases,&rdquo; Kalyan said.
The Lok Sabha MP from Sreerampur lashed out at Abhishek, alleging that the party supremo's nephew showed &ldquo;no respect&rdquo; for his &ldquo;45-year professional experience&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Why did he ask me to represent him if he had no trust in my abilities. Let his legal advisors guide him from now. I am not to be treated like a dustbin or an employee of his Camac Street office,&rdquo; Kalyan asserted.
The Sreerampur MP said the ball is now in Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s court to decide on whether to run the TMC with her nephew or with party loyalists like him.
&ldquo;I will remain in this party only if Abhishek is removed from all leadership positions and retained only as an ordinary worker. Abhishek, who misbehaves with seniors and has the attitude of a boss, cannot be my leader in the party. I am sorry to say it will not be possible for me to remain in the TMC, if Didi (Mamata Banerjee) retains him as the leader,&rdquo; Kalyan said.
&ldquo;Didi must take the final call on whether she will retain her blood relative or workers like me, who have put in 40 years of our lives for her and this party,&rdquo; he added.
Holding Abhishek responsible for the assembly poll debacle, Kalyan alleged that Abhishek&rsquo;s &ldquo;continued arrogance&rdquo; stemmed from his &ldquo;denial of his gross unpopularity among people and party workers&rdquo;.
&ldquo;He seems to be failing to understand that the party faced a humiliating defeat in the elections and has been destroyed because of his policies and functioning style. He seems to be in denial that he has turned grossly unpopular among the people and party workers. It is because of him that people are calling me a &lsquo;thief&rsquo; although my political career is free of graft charges,&rdquo; he said, asserting that Mamata Banerjee is the only leader he follows.
Referring to his face-off with Abhishek in 2022, which centred on leadership, favouritism, and decision-making within the party &ndash; a clash widely seen at that time as a fissure between the party&rsquo;s old guards and new &ndash; Kalyan maintained that he was among the first to question the leadership style of Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s nephew.
&ldquo;I was the only one then to raise my voice against him, foretelling this doom. I am consistent in my stand,&rdquo; he said.
Kalyan&rsquo;s son, Sirsanya, who unsuccessfully contested the recently-concluded state polls from the Uttarpara seat and has remained Abhishek&rsquo;s co-counsel in the fake signature case, attributed &ldquo;maintaining self-respect&rdquo; as reason for his quitting the job alongside his father.
&ldquo;I wore this lawyer&rsquo;s gown long before Abhishek Banerjee became the party&rsquo;s national general secretary. It is out of self-respect that I chose to stand down,&rdquo; he said, adding his decision will have no impact on his defending other TMC workers and leaders in court.
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted Abhishek interim protection from any coercive action in a signature forgery case over the party's choice of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, provided the leader extended full cooperation to the CID investigation.
Abhishek, who has so far skipped three agency summonses, reached the Bhabani Bhaban CID headquarters to face questions from the investigating officers following his return from Delhi, in compliance with the newly set appearance deadline on 6 pm.

Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that the dissident faction is the real TMC, claimed support of 64 MLAs, and ruled out any merger with Congress amid Mamata Banerjee's meetings with Congress leaders.

Rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata claims dissident camp is ‘real TMC’, rules out merger with Congress

Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that the dissident faction is the real TMC, claimed support of 64 MLAs, and ruled out any merger with Congress amid Mamata Banerjee's meetings with Congress leaders.

As Mamata Banerjee's meetings with the Congress leadership fuelled fresh speculation about the future of her embattled faction, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed ownership of the Trinamool Congress itself, declaring that the dissident camp was the "real TMC" and had no plans to merge with the grand old party.
Claiming that the strength of the dissident bloc had risen from 58 to 64 MLAs, Ritabrata said the rebels enjoyed the support of a majority of the party's legislators and a growing number of MPs, and would continue to function under the Trinamool Congress banner.
"We are the real Trinamool Congress. We are not merging with the Congress," Ritabrata told reporters outside the state assembly.
His remarks came amid heightened political speculation following Mamata Banerjee's meeting with Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and reports of consultations between Abhishek Banerjee and senior Congress leaders in the national capital.
The meetings have fuelled intense chatter in political circles over the future course of the diminished Mamata-led faction of the TMC at a time when the party is battling the biggest internal crisis in its 28-year history.
Ritabrata, however, dismissed suggestions that the organisation could become part of any Congress-led arrangement.
"The number of MLAs with us has already crossed 64. It may become 65 tomorrow when another MLA joins us. Naturally, we are the real Trinamool Congress. Who meets whom in Delhi is their matter and is immaterial for us," he said.
The rebel leader said a fresh communication reflecting the changed strength of the legislative bloc would be submitted to the Speaker.
He further claimed that the dissident camp commanded support not only among MLAs but also among MPs, local body representatives and district-level leaders.
"Most legislators are not merging with the Congress. Most MPs are not merging with the Congress. Many district leaders and local body representatives are also not merging with the Congress. Then where is the question of a merger?" he asked.
Ritabrata also reiterated that the rebel MPs in the Lok Sabha would continue to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
The statement assumes significance as 20 rebel TMC MPs have already informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about the formation of a separate parliamentary bloc under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and pledged support to the NDA.
The TMC's organisational crisis burst into the open earlier this week when a rebellion that had first fractured its ranks in the West Bengal Assembly spread to Parliament.
The parliamentary rupture came days after 58 TMC MLAs, a figure the rebel camp now claims has climbed to 64, defied the party leadership and backed expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition instead of the party's official nominee, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.
The twin rebellions have plunged Mamata Banerjee's party into arguably the gravest crisis since its formation in 1998, transforming what began as internal dissent into a battle over legislative strength, parliamentary numbers, organisational control and political legitimacy.
The split has steadily widened from the Assembly to Parliament, with senior Rajya Sabha members Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Sushmita Dev resigning from both the Upper House and the party.
Against this backdrop, the Delhi meetings between Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee and the Congress leadership have acquired added political significance, with speculation rife that sections of the TMC still loyal to the Banerjees could explore closer ties or a merger with the Congress.
Though neither side has publicly spoken of a merger, the meetings have generated enough political buzz for the rebel camp to repeatedly clarify its position.
Asked what would happen if Mamata Banerjee eventually decided to merge her faction with the Congress, Ritabrata avoided a direct answer.
"Tomorrow will answer tomorrow's questions. As of today, the number is 64 and counting," he said.
The remark underscored the fluidity of a political crisis that has already redrawn Bengal's political landscape and left the once-dominant TMC battling simultaneous challenges to its legislative strength, parliamentary presence and organisational coherence.
For now, while Mamata Banerjee's camp is engaged in conversations in Delhi, the rebel faction appears determined to send a different message from Kolkata -- that the fight is no longer merely over numbers, but over who gets to claim ownership of the TMC itself.

Trinamool Congress faces a deepening internal crisis as a group of rebel MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, claim majority support for backing the NDA, adding to recent unrest within the party's legislative ranks.

TMC rebellion spreads from assembly to Parliament, breakaway camp claims support of 20 MPs

Trinamool Congress faces a deepening internal crisis as a group of rebel MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, claim majority support for backing the NDA, adding to recent unrest within the party's legislative ranks.

After a split between its MLAs, the Trinamool Congress appeared headed for an implosion in Parliament, with a group of MPs claiming majority support deciding to ditch Mamata Banerjee and back the BJP-led NDA.
On a day when TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee were attending the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is at the forefront of the rebel faction, said they had decided to write to Speaker Om Birla declaring support for the NDA.
The crisis engulfing the TMC deepened on Monday with Ghosh Dastidar claiming that 20 MPs of the party have decided to write to the speaker.
Speaking to PTI over phone, Ghosh Dastidar said, "Nearly twenty TMC MPs, including me, have decided to write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and formally support the NDA."
Sources said the dissident MPs intend to argue before the speaker that Ghosh Dastidar continues to be the chief whip of the party in the Lok Sabha.
"We have accepted the people's verdict and believe that our future political course should be aligned with the NDA," Ghosh Dastidar said.
A TMC leader, however, said the party had communicated its decision to remove her as chief whip and appoint Kalyan Banerjee to the Lok Sabha Secretariat through an official letter dated May 20, signed by TMC Parliamentary Party Chairperson Mamata Banerjee.
A copy of the letter shared by party sources showed a stamp of receipt from the speaker's office dated May 29.
According to sources, the rebel MPs have chosen not to immediately resign from the TMC or join the BJP.
Instead, they intend to function as a separate bloc supporting the NDA, a strategy designed as a shield against the anti-defection law.
The arithmetic is politically significant.
The TMC currently has 28 Lok Sabha MPs, with one vacancy following the death of Basirhat MP Haji Nurul Islam.
The support of 20 MPs would comfortably cross the two-thirds threshold needed to thwart the invocation of the anti-defection law.
The TMC leader, however, reiterated that even securing that number would not automatically enable the rebel faction to function as a separate parliamentary group.
"As per the law, even if two-thirds of MPs wish to leave a party, the only choice they have is to merge with another political party. There is no provision for a separate group," the leader said.
A group of dissident MPs, meanwhile, held a meeting at BJP leader Bhupender Yadav's residence in Delhi, a source said.
A photograph purportedly from the meeting circulating online showed Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, along with MPs Abu Taher, Asit Mal, Arup Chakraborty, Kalipada Soren, Jagadish Basunia, Prasun Banerjee, Sharmila Sarkar, and Satabdi Roy.
Party sources also said around 20 MPs attended an informal gathering at an undisclosed location in the national capital late Sunday night.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the MPs discussed possible courses of action and expressed their displeasure over the existing party's parliamentary leadership structure.
TMC MP Sougata Roy dismissed suggestions of an exodus.
"I have heard that some MPs held a separate meeting last night. Only they can say what transpired in the meeting. I was not contacted by them," he said.
Asked about reports of attempts by the BJP to reach out to TMC MPs, Roy said he had been contacted but declined the offer.
"I told them I will remain with the TMC. At this age, it won't be possible for me to change camp," the 78-year-old four-term MP told PTI.
Ray, who attended the meeting at Yadav's residence, resigned from the Rajya Sabha as well as the primary membership of the party and issued a statement accusing the TMC of "15-year anarchical rule" before the BJP came to power in the state.
His resignation from the Rajya Sabha has been accepted by RS Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.
"I have met the Rajya Sabha chairman and submitted my resignation. I have conveyed my decision to resign from the party through WhatsApp and email to Mamata Banerjee," Ray told reporters.
"I had my tenure till 2029 in the Rajya Sabha, but I have resigned in principle from the party as it would be difficult for me to continue," he said.
Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who now heads the breakaway faction in the West Bengal Assembly, described Ray's resignation as a sign of rising dissent in the party and claimed more parliamentarians could publicly distance themselves from the TMC in the coming days.
The development comes barely days after the TMC leadership suffered a setback in the West Bengal Assembly, where 58 of its 80 MLAs defied the party high command's decision to appoint veteran leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the Opposition and elected expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee to that post.
The political turbulence that has gripped the TMC since its electoral debacle has veritably softened party supremo Mamata Banerjee, who attended the INDIA bloc meeting here with a reconciliatory approach to chart a pan-India strategy against the BJP.

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders resolved to seek Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-CBSE controversy and write to the Chief Justice on electoral roll revision and alleged vote irregularities.

INDIA bloc meeting: Oppn leaders vow unity, seek Pradhan's resignation, to write to CJI on SIR

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders resolved to seek Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-CBSE controversy and write to the Chief Justice on electoral roll revision and alleged vote irregularities.

Stressing unity against the BJP, the opposition INDIA bloc members on Monday unanimously decided to demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's immediate resignation over the NEET-CBSE row and write to the chief justice of India on the SIR exercise and &ldquo;vote loot&rdquo;.
At the meeting, top leaders of several opposition parties called for the need to safeguard democratic values and address people-centric issues such as unemployment, price rise, &ldquo;atrocities&rdquo; against oppressed sections, and sought an all-party meeting to discuss them along with the &ldquo;precarious&rdquo; economic situation in the country.
They also decided to meet after every two months to ensure opposition unity, with the next meeting scheduled in Hyderabad for August, while continuing with Parliament coordination during the upcoming Monsoon Session.
The BJP has called the INDIA bloc &ldquo;a figment of imagination&rdquo; that lacked conviction on the ground, claiming that there was an implosion within the opposition alliance with disagreements involving the Congress, DMK, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Left parties.
Leaders of 22 opposition parties and Independent MP Kapil Sibal were part of the deliberations that lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours at the Constitution Club, amid a BJP surge in the run-up to the next Assembly elections cycle and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier, Kharge had said that leaders of 25 opposition parties met on Monday.
The DMK, a key INDIA bloc constituent, did not attend the meeting, while the AAP had already distanced itself from the grouping.
Despite speculation, Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s ruling party TVK did not attend the opposition meeting.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of differences emerging among some of the INDIA bloc partners, including the Left and the Congress over the charge made during the recent Kerala polls that the Left had a political understanding with the BJP.
John Brittas of the CPI-M and D Raja of the CPI raised the issue with the Congress during the meeting.
Trinamool Congress&rsquo; Mamata Banerjee raised the issue of alleged "political retribution" during and after the recent West Bengal polls.
The deliberations began with a call to forge unity and rework the opposition strategy to take on the BJP, while ironing out the differences within after the defeat of regional outfits Trinamool Congress and DMK in the recent Assembly polls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, respectively.
The meeting also came at a time when the Narendra Modi government completed 12 years in office in its third consecutive term.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, &ldquo;We have agreed on five issues. A letter would be sent to the chief justice of India (CJI) soon on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, &lsquo;vote loot&rsquo; and &lsquo;stealing of elections&rsquo;.
&ldquo;It was also unanimously agreed to demand the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because he presided over the betrayal of lakhs of youth who appeared in NEET and CBSE," he said.
Flanked by Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and other senior leaders of the grouping, Kharge said, &ldquo;We are going to raise many people-centric issues, which all the parties have unanimously agreed to.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The opposition leaders also decided to continue coordination during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, with daily morning meetings at the office of the leader of opposition,&rdquo; he added.
The Congress veteran also said that all the opposition leaders aired their views freely at the meeting, which Shiv Sena-UBT's Uddhav Thackeray and JMM's Hemant Soren joined virtually.
Among those who attended the meeting were Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge from the Congress, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress, Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party, Tejashwi Yadav from the RJD, Omar Abdullah from the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti from the PDP, along with Left leaders.
NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule, CPI(M)'s Brittas, CPI's Raja and leaders of some smaller parties were also part of the deliberations.
Kharge urged the opposition leaders to strengthen unity to confront the political, economic, social and foreign policy challenges facing the country due to the Modi government's "misgovernance".
He claimed that the assault on the Constitution continued while the probe agencies were persistently being used as tools to &ldquo;harass&rdquo;, &ldquo;intimidate&rdquo;, and &ldquo;bully&rdquo; political opponents.
He also pointed to the "complete mismanagement" of the examination system, dashing the hopes and aspirations of lakhs of youth.
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi told the meeting that he was 100 per cent sure that elections are &ldquo;robbed&rdquo; in the country.
The ex-Congress chief also stressed unity, and said one must bring everyone together with love and affection.
The issue of aligning with the youth-led political movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also cropped up during the discussions, with Akhilesh Yadav and Omar Abdullah calling for associating with the outfit, and Mamata Banerjee speaking about supporting civil society movements.
Akhilesh Yadav, who spoke about "vote chori" and said the Bengal polls were "robbed", appealed to the Congress to show a big heart and back the strongest regional parties.
Uddhav Thackeray also lauded Banerjee for having fought the polls like a "lioness".
RJD&rsquo; Tejashwi Yadav said the bloc's strategy must focus on the 2029 Lok Sabha polls and urged everyone to hit the streets.
Omar Abdullah urged all the opposition parties to look ahead at the 2029 general elections, stressing that the Congress is the glue that holds the INDIA bloc together.
The last official meeting of the INDIA bloc was held in Delhi on June 1, 2024, after the Lok Sabha polls. The bloc originally comprised more than 25 parties.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and expressed solidarity after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal elections.

Akhilesh Yadav meets Mamata Banerjee after TMC rout, alleges Bengal polls held on 'UP model'

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and expressed solidarity after the party&rsquo;s defeat in the West Bengal elections.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence and expressed solidarity with the party leadership following its defeat in the West Bengal assembly polls, while alleging that the elections in the state were conducted on the "Uttar Pradesh model" through intimidation and manipulation.
Yadav was received by TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, where the SP chief is understood to have discussed the post-poll political situation in West Bengal and reiterated support for opposition unity against the BJP.
The meeting assumed political significance amid efforts by opposition parties to recalibrate strategies after the recent assembly elections in several states, and as Banerjee has vowed to strengthen the INDIA bloc after the TMC's electoral debacle.
"You have not lost. The fight to save democracy will continue, and we stand beside you," Yadav was heard telling Banerjee during the meeting, sources present there said.
He also congratulated Abhishek Banerjee for "putting up a strong fight" in the elections.
Addressing reporters later, Yadav alleged that the Bengal polls witnessed "multi-layered mafia tactics" involving the BJP, the Election Commission and "underground elements."
"What happened in Uttar Pradesh was repeated in Bengal. Opposition polling agents were threatened, and votes were conducted under fear. Central forces were used to ensure the defeat of the opposition," he alleged.
"The election was looted. BJP, the Election Commission and underground elements together conducted this election," the SP chief claimed, while displaying photographs and data before mediapersons to support his allegations.
He further alleged that officials were "lured with promises of higher posts" to influence the electoral process and claimed that BJP candidates secured unusually high victory margins in several constituencies because opposition polling agents were intimidated.
Yadav also expressed concern over the safety of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, alleging that the BJP was "anti-women", and asserted that democratic forces across the country must unite.
The SP leader also questioned the post-poll violence in the state and, when asked about the killing of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should be answerable for the incident.
"Answers should be sought from him for the lapses," Yadav said.
Rath, considered a close associate and executive assistant to Adhikari, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday, triggering sharp political reactions amid mounting post-poll tension in the state.
The BJP won 207 seats to secure more than a two-thirds majority in the 294-member West Bengal assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
The Mamata Banerjee-led party was reduced to 80 seats.
Banerjee, however, has maintained that she and her party were defeated through "manipulation" and has so far remained unwilling to tender her resignation as chief minister ahead of the formation of the new government.

Vijay-led TVK has begun alliance talks with Left parties after emerging as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats.

TVK reaches out to Left parties, seeks support in govt formation

Vijay-led TVK has begun alliance talks with Left parties after emerging as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with 108 seats.

TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar on Thursday called on CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam and sought their support in forming a government, emphasising a share in power.
The TVK joint general secretary personally visited the Left party offices here and handed over the letters requesting their support on behalf of the party.
The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam lacks a simple majority to form the government on its own.
Kumar pointed out that TVK founder Vijay had already stated that there must be a share in governance and power, as well. "Only then the parties can implement their respective ideologies and policies," he said, and added that "TVK is under no pressure at the moment."
TVK had already mailed its request to the Left parties, VCK and IUML, and had formally handed over the letters from Vijay, he said, and exuded confidence that TVK would form the government.
"The parties have sought time to respond to our request," Kumar told reporters emerging out of the meeting with Veerapandian.
Asked if TVK has reached out to the NDA, he replied, "We have not asked and don't intend to."
The TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly in the recently held elections. It needs 10 more seats to form a government. The Congress has already extended support to TVK.
Kumar said that as per the law, the Governor must invite the single largest party to form the government.
"The people have voted for TVK, and he must certainly invite us. We have already staked our claim to form the government, and we will wait for a day," he said.
With the people of the state providing a mandate to the TVK, Vijay should become the chief minister, he said.

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