Once all ministers in West Bengal take charge, impact of Double-Engine Govt will begin in full force !!

“Once ministers of all departments in West Bengal take charge, the impact of the double-engine government will begin in full force," a BJP leader said.  

On May 9, five ministers, including Agnimitra Paul, Dilip Ghosh, Kshudiram Tudu, Ashok Kirtania and Nisith Pramanik, had taken oath, along with Suvendu.

The chief minister on Wednesday met Bengal governor R.N. Ravi. A source said the two had probably discussed the date for the swearing-in of the ministers.

Suvendu with Governor R N Ravi 

Most central ministries have been engaged to create roadmaps for West Bengal’s economy and infrastructure development so that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sonar Bangla can be realised, said a source. 

Modi had promised to build 'Sonar Bangla' repeatedly during his election campaign. 

Within the fortnight of the formation of the new government headed by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, the process has begun. 

The Prime Minister’s office has already asked all central ministries to prepare roadmaps for Bengal’s development. The Centre, in tandem with the state, will work to implement those plans. 

Jitendra Singh, the Union minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology and earth sciences, visited Bengal and met Suvendu on Tuesday.

Three Union ministers were scheduled to visit Bengal in a few days and meet state government officials and ministers to take initiatives for the state’s development.  

Manohar Lal Khattar, the Union minister for power, and housing and urban affairs, will be in Kolkata on May 30 and hold a meeting with state urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul. 

He would also attend a programme organised by the state government and also inaugurate a mobile application to help with garbage disposal. 

He may announce some schemes for urban development in Bengal.

                                                        (Manohar Lal Khattar) 

On June 4, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, will visit the state.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will be in Kolkata on June 6.   

West Bengal's economic development centers on shifting from an agrarian-heavy model to industrial, logistics-driven growth. 

Key drivers include the development of the Tajpur Deep Sea Port, expansion of IT-BPM and electronics, and Invest India investments in the Kolkata Leather Complex. 

The East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor and the proposed Tajpur Deep Sea Port aim to improve connectivity and transform the state into a premier trading gateway for Eastern India and neighboring countries.

Beyond Kolkata’s Salt Lake Sector V and Rajarhat, tier-II cities like Durgapur, Siliguri, and Kalyani may have good IT parks to decentralize the digital economy.  

A source said the state was all set to hand over land to the railway ministry for at least 60 projects. The erstwhile Trinamool Congress government hadn’t transferred the required plots to the ministry for the railway projects.

“On June 8, the Union health ministry will sign an agreement with the state government for the Ayushman Bharat scheme,” the chief minister told reporters on Tuesday in Kalyani.

Sukanta Majumdar, the Union minister of state for education, has proposed a meeting between CM Suvendu and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to prepare a roadmap for the education sector in Bengal.

ends 

Study of Hindutva politics - Three key stages - 1947, 2002 and 2026 --- How all of it have changed India in more ways than one ?

 The 1947 partition of India into "independent" Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan out of colonial control was one of the most violent and traumatic events in modern history. 

The great event was marred  by mass sectarian violence, with an estimated 10 to 15 million people displaced and up to 2 million people killed.  

It's a fact, the 1947 left a gory chapter along with the political development that the colonial Britons had left the shore of united India. 

A convoy of Sikhs travels to Punjab after the partition of India in August 1947. Photograph: Margaret Bourke-White (The Guardian) 

The divided India looked horrible.

Parts of eastern and north-eastern and north-western flanks of the country, made up of Muslim majorities, became Pakistan on 14 August 1947. 

The rest of the country, predominantly Hindu, but also with large religious minorities peppered throughout, became India - Bharat or even Hindustan.

Sandwiched between these areas stood the provinces of Bengal (in the east) and Punjab (in the north-west), densely populated agricultural regions where Muslims, Hindus and Punjabi Sikhs had cultivated the land side by side for generations. 

"The thought of segregating these two regions was so preposterous that few had ever contemplated it, so no preparations had been made for a population exchange" went an article in 'The Guardian' 2017.  

The BBC's archives extensively document the trauma, noting that many survivors and their descendants still carry the heavy psychological and historical baggage of the 1947 events. Historical coverage outlines how militias from various religious factions were formed, violently driving people out of villages to secure control of land. 

2002 - Gujarat Mayhem 

The burning of a train in an once upon a time little known Godhra township and the riots aftermath it changed the contemporary political games. It also kicked off a larger debate on the nature of modernity and the national identity in India. There followed 'unsentimental' rhetoric and analyses and also a reappraisal of the so-called 'idea of India'.  

The BJP's stunning triumph in December 2002 polls was clearly down to one man - Gujarat's chief minister, Narendra Modi. Today, he is Prime Minister of India and he swears by a Hindutva-infected nationalism and has been successfully winning elections both at the national level and in states.  

Modi had presided over the worst religious riots in India's recent history. 

Hindu mobs enraged by the Muslim burning of 59 Hindu pilgrims on a train in the town of Godhra, went on the rampage - burning and killing more than 2,000 of their Muslim neighbours.

 Now comes - 2026 polls in West Bengal: It is a gamechanger because presumably the Hindutva politics will now go full steam -- irrespective of what Muslims will say or do in India or even in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Holding centres are now coming up. At one such centre; reportedly nine Bangladeshis have been kept. 

The 2026 polls in West Bengal was more than electoral battle between the BJP of Modi and the Trinamool Congress. The dynamics of Partition history were at play.

In 1947 and even a few years after than ... it was all about the high politics and the relative responsibilities of Mountbatten, Jinnah, Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru.

 These four men and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel have always towered over the story, and ultimately their animosities and the reasons they failed to agree on a constitutional settlement.

These made them the leading actors of an enduring and gripping drama. But today. we have protagonists such as Modi himself, India's Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. 

Historians in times to come will take a closer view of the ups and downs. But they might become "more interested" in the times to come on the fate of "Bangladeshi infiltrators". 

And how would millions again possibly rebuild their lives ? 

One part of the story - that is political is much simple. Walking the path of religious polarisation and leveraging underlying anti-incumbency, Modi’s party, that is the BJP, sweeps West Bengal dethroning a party whose rationale about many things are now being questioned. 

Life sometimes is in whirl of success and happiness. It's true for a nation too. 

In the 24 years and more, there has never been a greater need than today (May 2026) for a balanced and objective interpretation of the politics of Hindutva champions and the principal protagonist Narendra Modi.  

As stated above, we will have greater and more forceful spread of the very concept of Hindutva.

Will it go beyond India's political boundary?

But at the same time; the Muslim terrorism and actions and inactions in Islamic Pakistan and another nation called Bangladesh will also be debated. 

In 2002, Gujarat had about 9% of Muslim population.

At times; they were suggested that they could "consider" leaving India for Pakistan. This time the people in question are already tagged as Bangladeshi infiltrators. This is the reality.

At times. edits may be written in newspapers calling such a dichotomy as shameful, disturbing, and even fascist. 

But these may have takers. It has already worked brilliantly in electoral chess board. 

The Hindutva's "populist rightwing tactics" now could be repeated in Kerala ! 

We may debate soon on what the implications would be for India's political journey as well as for the future of South Asia. 

A Sikh family on the road to Punjab in 1947. Photograph: Margaret Bourke-White/The Life Picture Collection/Getty (The Guardian) 

ends 

CBI arrests 10 in Sandeshkhali BJP workers murder case, including Shahjahan aide :::: Cash sacks with ‘TMC link’ dug up from field

 CBI arrests 10 in Sandeshkhali BJP workers murder case, including Shahjahan aide

According to the investigators, clashes broke out between supporters of the Trinamool and the BJP over hoisting party flags in the area.  

Ten people, including an aide of former Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, who is now in custody, were arrested by the CBI in connection with a seven-year-old case for the killing of three BJP functionaries at Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas.

Among those arrested is Kader Molla, said to be one of Shahjahan’s closest associates in Sandeshkhali. 

After the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, BJP functionaries Debdas Mondal, Pradip Mondal and Sukanta Mandal were killed at Nazat in North 24-Parganas.

According to the investigators, clashes broke out between supporters of the Trinamool and the BJP over hoisting party flags in the area. 

During the violence, the three BJP supporters were allegedly hacked to death.

Cops take away sacks of cash allegedly belonging to the arrested Trinamool leader and Baduria civic chairman Dipankar Bhattacharyya after their recovery from a field near his residence. - The Telegraph

Cash sacks with ‘TMC link’ dug up from field; Rs 2.24 crore recovered near Baduria home

The developments have exposed the alleged criminal-politician nexus operating under the previous Trinamool establishment, the BJP has said.  

A day after his arrest and recovery of  Rs 80 lakh from his residence, five sacks of cash amounting to Rs 2.24 crore were dug out from a jute field near the home of Baduria municipality chairman and Trinamool Congress leader Dipankar Bhattacharyya on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, party functionary and North 24-Parganas zilla parishad member Ajit Saha, along with his brother Sujit Saha, was arrested in an extortion case. 

Around Rs 27.08 lakh in cash was recovered from Sujit's residence at Maslandapur while ammunition, firearms and foreign liquor were recovered during raids at Ajit's residence in the same area that night.  

Two TMC-run panchayat heads resign in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata-I block

The resignations came from Chumki Mahanta, the pradhan of Bhetaguri-I panchayat, and Priyanka Sarkar Dey, the head of Bhetaguri-II panchayat. 

"NPF and present Nagaland Govt are hell-bent on prolonging political process to preserve their political relevance" -- a hard-hitting statement from GPRN/NSCN (U)

"In essence, the Government of Nagaland functions within the limitations prescribed by the Naga Customary Institution. 

The sovereign right and political identity of the Nagas cannot be diluted or overridden by any temporary political arrangement. In such circumstances, it is deeply inappropriate for members of the Council of Ministers, or its chairman, to dictate terms to the Naga Tribal Bodies and the GBs’ of Nagaland," said a statement from GPRN/NSCN-U.

Alezo: Ato Kilonser 

"The statements made by the concerned minister (G Kaito) have exceeded acceptable political and constitutional boundaries. As a party claiming to represent the interest of the Nagas, the NPF ought to have cautioned and reprimanded the minister concerned and demanded the withdrawal of such remarks," said the organisation President, Gen. (retd.) M B Neokpao Konyak and Ato Kilonser Inno Alezo Venuh.  

Criticising the NPF-BJP Govt in Nagaland; the group said : "The intervention of the Government of Nagaland in matters already addressed under prior agreements with the GoI undermines the fundamental principles of political and contractual obligation. 

Since the peace talks were formally concluded on 31st Oct. 2019, the Government of Nagaland can only function in a limited and facilitative capacity, irrespective of how many consecutive terms it may hold office.

"It increasingly appears that the NPF and the present state government are hell-bent on prolonging the political process primarily to preserve their political relevance and continuation in power, thereby delaying the final settlement. 

As matters relating to legislative structures and competencies were substantially settled by 31st Oct. 2019, the Government of Nagaland should refrain from devising political strategies intended to defer the accord between Government of India and the Naga Nationalist Groups for electoral or regional considerations, whether in Nagaland, Manipur or elsewhere."

The statement has a special significance as  elections are due in Manipur by March 2027 and the NPF has got high stakes especially at a time when ethnic interests and conflicts between one another have come into focus in the state. 

The Meities, Kukis and Nagas are in constant conflicts with one another now for years.  

The political parties and nexus with ultras is always an issue of concern in north eastern states such as Manipur and Nagaland. The state assembly elections in Nagaland are due by March 2028 and the current happenings are directly or otherwise linked to the battle of 2028. The NPF led by incumbent chief minister Neiphiu Rio is in power since 2003 but no substantial progress has been made by the state government or the political parties in facilitating the fast movement of the peace talks.  

Hence the grievance of groups such as this one led by Alezo cannot be ignored. The GPRN/NSCN-U is one of the primary groups which inked the Agreed Position of 2017 and is in favour of speedy completion of talks.  

The GPRN/NSCN-U statement makes things more obvious. It says: 

"... the NPF now alleges the “direct involvement” of the tribal bodies and GBs with particular groups, the party should recall its own conducts during the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election. 

At that time, the NPF openly aligned itself with one of the Naga Nationalist Groups while subsequently saying that the NPF Manipur shall remained independent from NPF Nagaland unit from the activities, nevertheless, the principal campaigners in the hill districts of Manipur originated from Nagaland itself.

Equally pertinent is the silence maintained by the same political party when the Home Commissioner of Nagaland issued a show cause notice to the President of the NGB Federation in August 2022. 

The NGBF is neither subordinate nor answerable to the Government of Nagaland. Therefore, the issuance of such a notice represented a serious overreach of administrative authority.

A ceremonial red shawl or financial assistance extended by the Government to the customary institutions cannot be construed as an obligation for the Naga customary leaders to submit themselves before the bureaucratic authorities or elected representatives. 

The Government of Nagaland has no codified mechanism empowering it to conduct consultations or obtain assent from Naga customary institutions in the manner presently being pursued. In the absence of a transparent and legitimate process, such consultative meetings with tribal bodies appear increasingly to be instruments of political convenience designed to advance the state Government’s agenda on the Naga political issue.

It is a matter of public record that there has been direct communication between the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the NGBF leadership. On 3rd Aug. 2017, assurances were reportedly given that the Indo-Naga peace process would move towards an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement. The Prime Minister reiterated this commitment during subsequent election campaigns.

"Moreover, the Framework Agreement of 3rd Aug. 2015 clearly recorded that negotiation had been “successfully concluded” and the Government of India subsequently declared on 31st Oct. 2019 that the Naga Peace Talks had reached their conclusion. In the light of these developments, there exist no legitimate justification for the Chief Minister to invoke the NGBF and tribal bodies as instruments to exert pressure for the appointment of an “interlocutor”.

"A minister of state lacks the political and constitutional stature necessary to serve as an interlocutor on matters of such historic and national significance. Former, interlocutor Mr. RN Ravi held cabinet rank, reflecting the seriousness with which the GoI initially approached the issue. 

"The subsequent downgrading of the process to lower administrative levels demonstrates a marked shift in both policy and commitment on the part of Government of India.

At that juncture, the Chief Minister of Nagaland ought to have intervene decisively by urging the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to preserve the political character and status of the peace process. 

Prior consultation with the Naga Nationalist leadership should have preceded any recommendation or advisory rule undertaken by the State Government.

Having governed Nagaland for more than two decades, the NPF is fully conversant with the political and legal implication surrounding the Indo-Naga peace process. The party is equally aware that agreements entered into by the Government of India are generally governed by the doctrine of “Estoppel” , namely, that a signatory cannot subsequently repudiate commitments made with the full knowledge of their intend and purpose.

"The intervention of the Government of Nagaland in matters already addressed under prior agreements with the GoI undermines the fundamental principles of political and contractual obligation. Since the peace talks were formally concluded on 31st Oct. 2019, the Government of Nagaland can only function in a limited and facilitative capacity, irrespective of how many consecutive terms it may hold office," the statement said. 

Neakpao Konyak - president, GPRN/NSCN-U 

ends 

"Brightness of my memories ought to be left with me" .... ::: Pathos follow poets ... in more ways than one :: Check this ... Urdu poet Bashir Badr's unpublished literary works were "lost during 987 Meerut communal riots" :::

Riots and diplomacy may do different things to different people.

He wrote a popular couplet titled 'Dushmani Jam Kar Karo' in 1972.

This was around the time; Indira Gandhi and Z A Bhutto worked on the Shimla Agreement.

Most of Badr's unpublished literary works, including an uncertain number of poems was lost during the 1987 Meerut communal riots, and later he moved to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.  

Bashir Badr (born Syed Muhammad Bashir; 15 February 1935 at Ayodhya expired on 28th May 2026) in Bhopal. 

The veteran poet, who was living with dementia for many years, breathed his last at his home in Bhopal. 

An wordsmith he wrote sarcastically - 

दुश्मनी जम कर करो लेकिन ये गुंजाइश रहे

जब कभी हम दोस्त हो जाएँ तो शर्मिंदा न हों

(Dushmani jam kar karo ... lekin yeh gunjaish rahe ....

(Be enemies to each other fiercely; but keep it mind; when you become FRIENDS; either of you do not feel ashamed of past conduct.) 

This certainly goes well for Indo-Pak ties.  

He taught Urdu at the Aligarh Muslim University and primarily wrote in the Urdu language particularly ghazals.  

He started writing poems at the age of seven. He wrote some collections of ghazals titled 

Ikai, Kulliyate Bashir Badr, Aamad, Image, Aahat and Devanagari script ghazals titled Ujale Apni Yadon Ke. 

He wrote books -- titled -- Azadi Ke Bad Urdu Ghazal Ka Tanqidi Mutala (Critical study of Urdu ghazal after independence) and 

Biswin Sadi Mein Ghazal (Ghazals in 20th century) focused on literary criticism.

He also served at the Bihar Urdu Academy as a chairman.

 

A popular radio show 'Ujaale Apni Yaadon Ke' on Vividh Bharti derives its title from one of Badr's most popular sher. 

ujāle apnī yādoñ ke hamāre saath rahne do na jaane 

kis galī meñ  ... zindagī kī shaam ho jaaen 

(The brightness of my memories ought to be left with me ..... 

otherwise in certain turns and twists of life; the Life may reach its twilight hours

The 2015 film 'Masaan' contains various examples of poetry and shaayari by Basheer Badr, along with works by Akbar Allahabadi, Chakbast, Mirza Ghalib and Dushyant Kumar.

Explaining this as a conscious tribute, the film's lyrics writer Varun Grover explained that he wanted to show the character of Shaalu (played by Shweta Tripathi) as a person whose hobby is to read Hindi poetry and shaayari, as this is a common hobby of Millennial and Generation X youngsters in Northern India, especially when in love.

However; this aspect is rarely shown in Hindi films. 

Actor Vicky Kaushal's 'Masaan' (2015) established him as an unconventional actor.

Even though the film had a serious theme, Kaushal stood out for his grounded and nuanced portrayal as Deepak Kumar. 

The film makes a good presentation of issues like caste discrimination, 

patriarchy, misogyny and heartbreak in a society divided by orthodox norms.  

"For me, for my mother, and for all his loved ones, it is a very painful day. His poetry is poetry of love and life. 'Ujaale unki yaddon ke'.... This couplet is a representation of his life; it is his trademark," his son Syed Badr said.

"I would like all of you to celebrate this," he maintained adding that his father withdrew from public after his memory started failing him.

"He had dementia and had not been part of any mushaira (gathering of poets) for the past 10 years. 

That was his conscious decision because he was a showman... That is why he retired from mushairas when he realised that his memory was weakening, and he had not been active in writing or public life for quite some time. 

But the impact of his couplets and verses on the world has its own life," the son added.

ends 

Throws up googly for Rahul ::: Congress veteran Siddaramaiah confirms he "declined" an offer to move to Rajya Sabha ::: He is also opposed to giving chief ministership to Shivakumar

 Siddaramaiah has resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka after informing his Cabinet colleagues of his decision during a breakfast meeting hosted at his official residence earlier in the day. 

Though Siddaramaiah is said to have opposed D K Shivakumar's candidature as his successor, the Congress high command is learnt to have finalised on giving the latter his due. 

Siddaramaiah was keen that his successor should be a Dalit, with Home Minister G Parameshwara reportedly as his choice.

“I’ll continue in active politics. I have no interest in national politics,” outgoing CM Siddaramaiah said, dismissing speculation that the Congress high command could accommodate him in Delhi.

He later held a joint press conference with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar amid dramatic political developments in the state. Karnataka witnessed a major political transition on Thursday as Siddaramaiah stepped down from the Chief Minister’s post, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top job.  

Soon after submitting his resignation as chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah on Thursday made it clear that his political journey was far from over, declaring that he would remain active in state politics and had no interest in shifting to a national role.

Addressing reporters after submitting his resignation, the veteran Congress leader revealed that he had declined an offer to move to the Rajya Sabha, signalling his intent to stay rooted in Karnataka politics despite stepping down from the top post. 

“I was also asked about the Rajya Sabha. I declined it. I want to remain in Karnataka politics,” he said.

Siddaramaiah made it clear that his resignation followed directions from the Congress leadership. "I’ve told you all many times, when high command asks me to resign, I will resign," he said.

"Two days back, high command asked me to step down. I told them I’ll resign today. Hence I’ve resigned," he added. 

D K Shivakumar has been in the race for the chief minister since 2018-19. He is a Vokkaliga leader and Siddaramaiah - an OBC. 

Siddaramaiah belongs to the Kuruba Gowda community, which is a traditional shepherding caste and the third-largest numerically significant caste in Karnataka (after the Lingayats and Vokkaligas). 

Kurubas are classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the state.  

In his third year of governance since 2023, Siddaramaiah had been planning to go in for a Cabinet restructure. 

Over 30 debutant Congress MLAs had petitioned the party high command recently for Cabinet berths during the proposed reshuffle.

Parting shot ::: Siddaramiah's quiet revenge on successor DKS and Rahul Gandhi ... just before quitting ::::: "Especially the backward classes will go against the Congress", says former CM and BJP leader Basavaraj

Siddaramiah's quiet revenge on successor DKS and Rahul Gandhi

Just before stepping down as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah decided to accept a caste census report, pending since November 2025. 

With this, he is leaving a ticking bomb for his successor, DK Shivakumar, and for Rahul Gandhi.  

The report on the first caste survey (commonly referred to as caste census) in Karnataka has been ready since 2017, Siddaramaiah's previous term as the chief minister. 

After returning to power in 2023, Siddaramaiah ordered a fresh caste survey, whose report was ready in 2025.  

Political observers believe Siddaramaiah is attempting to leave office after firmly stamping his image as Karnataka's foremost backward-class leader. 

But by accepting the report at this moment, he has also ensured that the burden of handling its consequences shifts entirely to DK Shivakumar.

KARNATAKA'S TRYST WITH TWO CASTE SURVEYS

Karnataka has conducted two caste surveys in the last nine years, both with Siddaramaiah at the helm in the state.

The Karnataka government under Siddaramaiah's first term as CM conducted a caste survey, led by H Kantharaj, and was completed and ready by 2017, but remained unimplemented for years due to political sensitivities, opposition from dominant castes like Lingayats and Vokkaligas, and technical issues such as missing original records and unsigned documents.

Successive governments, including the JD(S)-Congress and the BJP governments, avoided tabling the report amid fears of backlash over the survey's findings.

 On Karnataka CM row, BJP MP & former CM, 

Basavaraj S Bommai says, "...It will have impact on Congress party as well as in electoral politics of Karnataka. 

Especially the backward classes will go against the Congress and it is a betrayal of backward classes by Congress party, especially Rahul Gandhi. He has been campaigning for OBC and has removed a OBC Chief Minister himself. 

His crocodile tears for backward class has been exposed...They are disappointed and are reacting very sharply and saying that they are going to teach a lesson in the next general election at 2028...".  

BJP MP & former CM, Basavaraj S Bommai says, "...Siddaramaiah, after completing his seven and half years almost eight years now he is resigning...From day one the date was fixed for period sharing between Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar and D. K. Shivakumar was making it very clear from day one that he is going to take over after 50% of the term. 

He was edging him out in every day and every possible occasion. 

Siddaramaiah did not have a period of peaceful governance. 

Because of the mismanagement of the finances and difference of opinion, the governance was totally zero. Administration was totally failed as well as development was not to be seen and the debt of the government has increased four times. 

Karnataka has been pushed back nearly 20 years because of the misrule of Congress and infighting of Congress especially between Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar for last three years". 

ends