"Forged-signature of MLAs - A Scam" ::: West Bengal story .... Bravado has a limitation :::: Only six TMC MLAs attend rally ::::: Maharashtra model in Bengal-buzz !!

It's next round of battle of nerves between two formidable colleagues-turned-rivals CM Suvendu Adhikari and his predecessor Mamata Banerjee.

Maharashtra model in Bengal-buzz  !!

All eyes are now on what happens between them and around them.

Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, June 2, dared the state government to arrest her, declaring that the party's protest would go ahead even without police permission, microphones or a stage. 

But she left the protest venue when reports last came in.   

Meanwhile, the West Bengal forged-signature row has snowballed after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 

:: the probe stemmed from complaints by two TMC MLAs, who were later expelled. 

The crisis deepened further as the CID revisited Abhishek Banerjee's residence and claimed more legislators had disputed their signatures. 

Only six TMC MLAs attend rally as party announces key Assembly appointments

Only six MLAs, including senior legislators Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Nayana Bandyopadhyay, Madan Mitra, Ashok Deb and Ashima Patra were present. 

Chandrima Bhattacharya, who lost the elections from Dum Dum (Uttar) to Sourav Sikdar of BJP in the 2026 Assembly election, also came. 

TMC MPs Dola Sen, Kalyan Banerjee and Derek O'Brien were also present. 

In a parallel organisational reshuffle, the All India Trinamool Congress announced key appointments for its legislative wing in the West Bengal Assembly. 

Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay was named Leader of the Opposition, while Ashima Patra and Nayana Bandyopadhyay were appointed Deputy Leaders of the Opposition.

Senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim was appointed Chief Whip in the Assembly as the party moved to strengthen its legislative team.  

A delegation, led by TMC MLAs Kunal Ghosh and Ashima Patra, went to the Speaker's office on Tuesday. However, Ghosh alleged that the delegation went to submit a letter to the principal secretary. However, he refused to meet.  

Addressing the crowd Mamata said, "The BJP president used to call me several times, seeking help. 

But I never told this to the media. I have good relations with all political parties except the BJP. 

But I have helped the BJP whenever they sought help; I have helped them in their bad days. I even called them up personally. I am here and shall be here."

Will Trinamool Congress meet the same fate as Shiv Sena in 2022 ?

Rebellion within a party after an election loss is not unusual; but the speed of the turmoil within the TMC suggests a split may be imminent. 

At the heart of the buzz is the forged signature row linked to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. 

The TMC was quick to expel two MLAs over the issue. But the move appears to have deepened the crisis as the expelled MLAs - 

Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha - later held a late-night, secret meeting with some legislators. 

The majority of MLAs were absent from a scheduled meeting at Mamata Banerjee's house. Some are openly speaking out against the leadership, while others are being expelled for engaging in anti-party activities.  

Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh said -- "It is possible that an attempt is being made to split the party. However, I do not wish to hold the BJP responsible for this; instead, I hold these individuals accountable. They are opportunists". 

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There's panic in Rawalpindi, Pak army Headquarters :::: Worse conditions prevail in Islamabad !! Political leadership is nowhere in scene :::: ISI pushing narrative that "terror violence" in Jammu and Kashmir is "home-grown" and not CROSS BORDER phenomenon

By attempting to revive some of the older, home-grown banners, the ISI of Pakistan aims to project a false narrative that the terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir is an internal, home-grown movement rather than a proxy war orchestrated from across the border. 

The security agencies are now closely tracking the resurfacing of names of terror groups that defined the initial, bloody phase of the Jammu and Kashmir terror in the 1990s and early 2000s, including Al-Umar Mujahideen, Al Badr and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen.

This is a mix of guilt conscience and sinister designs. 

They want to conceal proxy war games orchestrated from across the border in the past. But all these have failed when the Article 370 was abrogated. It was just more than a 'national agenda' or a sheer saffron promise. It left Pakistan leaking wounds.

All its investments in the past decades have gone into vain. 

While the high command of these revived terror groups remains safely sheltered in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, their ground-level networks are attempting to become active in propaganda, funding and radicalisation. 

The officials said that central intelligence agencies are maintaining a tight vigil on these developments and ensuring neutralisation of the logistical networks being spun by these "resurfaced OGWs". 

The 'Over Ground Workers' (OGW) are individuals who provide logistical, financial, and informational support to militant and terrorist groups without directly engaging in armed violence.  

The ISI is also trying to recalibrate its strategy by making desperate attempts to revive dormant, locally-founded terror outfits from the early 1990s to give an "indigenous colour" to terrorist violence.

They want to "mask the direct involvement" by Pakistan, which is facing constant monitoring by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) -- the global watchdog on money laundering and terror financing. 

Moreover, Operation Sindoor of 88 hours in May 2025 also left Pakistan devastated. Pakistan is also greatly worried that another such operation by New Delhi may come sooner than later. Indian army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and other military experts have been speaking about these possibilities from time to time.      

“As far as Operation Sindoor is concerned, firstly, it is still continuing. There is a temporary cessation of hostilities. So the Indian Army and all three services are preparing well for Operation Sindoor 2.0 if it takes place,” said Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday.  

Recent interrogation of OGWs arrested by Srinagar police showed that some of them were part of 'national political parties'.

By embedding terror sympathisers, who provide critical logistical support, recruitment and funding to terror outfits, in legitimate political structures, the ISI hopes to shield its assets from the ongoing operations by security forces.  

Rawalpindi is running out of options because their conventional terror groups are under intense pressure from security forces and the local support base for newer proxy outfits has shrunk significantly.

By trying to resurrect old names and blending their workers into mainstream politics, they are attempting to capitalise on a historical narrative to lure a new generation of youth while buying political immunity for their operatives.

Security officials have noted that this tactic has evolved over the decades as suspects routinely used voter identity cards to evade police in the late 1990s, and later tried to use Aadhar cards to dodge deep investigations.

The officials made it clear that no political leadership has ever stepped in to save such people.

In a related development, the OGW activities have been seen in reviving outfits that had become largely defunct after 1993.  

When an OGW is cornered during cordon and search operations, they often attempt to flash basic membership cards of national political parties in a futile bid to escape the dragnet.

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Unpredictability and Mood Swing in Trump ::: Most irritating part of India-US relationships :::: “Dispensability is increasing, and the utility decreasing"

Lack of consistency in the Trump administration’s "engagement" with India is a big challenge 

Indo-US relationship should ideally become more transactional and less emotive—

but --- importantly - not necessarily adversarial.

The US must be on a weak footing now. It wants to repair ties with the US. 

But challenges remain. The most striking part is Unpredictability. 

India, which imports 90% of its crude oil, had come under pressure after Donald Trump slapped a punitive 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. 

It was lifted in February this year. Reportedly, India has agreed to limit purchases of Russian oil.  Moreover, the Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz greatly reduced India’s access to oil. The main issue is a lack of consistency.

Trump does not have a public or even diplomatic commitment to this relationship. Assessing the situations in larger geo-strategic landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked his fellow Indian citizens to work from home to save fuel and also take other measures both at the level of government departments and PSU-run oil companies. 

The India-U.S. relation is presently undergoing through a tough phase, especially after the US’s decision to sharply raise the tariffs on Indian exports to 50% on a wide range of products – has caused deep concern & disappointment in India. However, India-US relationship is anchored in resilience, strategic convergence, and people-to-people ties. In this regard, let us broadly understand the importance, key areas of cooperation & challenges in India-U.S. relationship. 

Nevertheless, certain positive steps are still possible. 

What can be the way forward?

** Pursue the “Mission 500” goal of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 through a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that reduces tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

** Strengthen supply chain integration, increase market access, and enhance trade in industrial and agricultural products.

Continue dialogue to resolve trade disputes and create a balanced and fair trade environment.

Strengthening Security & Strategic Partnership:

Build on the U.S.-India COMPACT initiative to catalyze military partnerships and expand defense industrial cooperation.

Accelerate negotiations on a Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement to facilitate defense trade and co-production. Scale joint defense industry collaborations in autonomous systems and advanced technologies to enhance Indo-Pacific security.

Expand cooperation through forums like the Quad and India-Middle East-Europe Corridor to support economic connectivity and maintain a free, open Indo-Pacific.

Advancing Technology :::

Launch new initiatives like INDUS Innovation for industry-academic partnerships in areas like space, energy, AI, and strategic minerals.

Develop a U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure and strengthen cooperation on critical and emerging technologies.

As it is ... China’s expanding connectivity initiatives in South Asia and the Indian Ocean is a growing area of concern for India. 

New Delhi looks at the Belt and Road Initiative with suspicion and as a Chinese foreign policy tool to advance its strategic goals. 

Of particular concern is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that runs through the disputed territory of Kashmir and, according to Delhi, violates India’s sovereignty. 

Now the ongoing Iran war has made things more complicated. 

Washington’s relationship with Pakistan has always been a sticky point in the India-US relationship, but Govt of India was able to garner Washington’s support in 2017 for its call on Pakistan to stop sponsoring terrorism. 

According to the joint statement, Pakistan should ‘ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries’ and ‘expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups’. 

But in 2025 - Trump himself played a spoiler. He took Munir on his lap and sought to embarrass New Delhi and especially PM Narendra Modi repeatedly. 

Trump has upended many of India’s assumptions about the nature of its relationship with the United States: The bedrock was an economic partnership, with a marginal role for Pakistan and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Trump’s tariffs, his close relationship with Pakistan’s leaders and his seeming desire to cultivate stronger ties with China have called all of those assumptions into question. These have left India practically without a trust-worthy framework for engagements. 

India is concerned that it would lose its value to the United States and become dispensable once the U.S. relationship with China stabilizes, said Constantino Xavier, an expert on South Asia at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a research institute based in New Delhi.

Trump and Xi’s meeting might not lead to anything, Xavier said, but it has made Indian officials anxious about becoming the U.S. president’s “backup plan,” 

.... to be used as a tool to threaten China when he wants. 

“The dispensability is increasing, and the utility is decreasing,” he said.

 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sign the framework on securing supplies of mining and processing of critical minerals in New Delhi.

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New West Bengal minister Anandamoy Barman carries Assam connection into Suvendu ministry

New West Bengal minister carries Assam connection into Cabinet, backs closer ties Assam University alumnus Anandamoy Barman says shared history, culture & communities remain key to stronger interstate relations. 

Anandamoy Barman and Assam CM Sarma at the Shiva Temple in Atharokhai Circle, Siliguri during a political rally 

Assam-Bengal relations, shaped by shared history, language, culture and people-to-people bonds, must be strengthened further in the coming days, newly sworn-in West Bengal Minister of State Anandamoy Barman said, on Monday. 

Barman is an alumnus of Assam University, Silchar, who took oath as Minister in the Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government.

The two states Assam and West Bengal have always maintained a close relationship because communities on both sides have lived with deep social, linguistic and cultural connections., he said. (The Assam Tribune)  

His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of recent cordial political exchanges between the two states. 

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma was present during the oath-taking ceremony of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while Adhikari attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government in Guwahati on May 12. 

Barman said such gestures are important for improving understanding and cooperation between the neighbouring states. “The relationship is already there. It should be strengthened further for the benefit of the people,” he asserted. 

Barman’s elevation as a minister has also brought pride to Assam University, where he completed his Masters in Education in 2013.  

“I feel very happy that my teachers and well-wishers are rejoicing in this moment. I thank all my teachers of the department. Their blessings mean a lot to me,” Barman said.

Dr Sreeparna Bhattacharjee, Associate Professor in the Department of Education, said Barman’s rise has made the department and the university proud. 

“I hope he would emerge as a pro-people leader guided by education, values and commitment to society,” said Bhattacharjee. 

Responding to the affection from his teachers, Barman said he had personally contacted several of them after his swearing-in to seek their blessings.  

Barman was first elected as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Matigara-Naxalbari in 2021.

He defeated Sankar Malakar of Trinamool Congress by 104,265 votes in 2026 West Bengal Assembly election. 

He is also the President of Siliguri organization district BJP.

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Suvendu cabinet expansion marks a tectonic shift :: Rise of North Bengal - a long neglected region :::: And South Kolkata is not the 'nerve centre' of power in the state

 

Almost after a month since Suvendu Adhikari Govt took charge in West Bengal,  a total of 35 BJP MLAs were sworn in at Kolkata’s Lok Bhawan.

They include 13 cabinet ministers, three ministers of state with independent charge and 19 ministers of state.  

The Suvendu ministry now has seven women ministers.  

The seven women ministers have been assigned key and different ministerial roles ranging from rural development to women and child welfare.  

Governor R N Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers.  

Agnimitra Paul – Women & Child Welfare Portfolio was sworn-in as a minister last month along with the Chief Minister in presence of P Narendra Modi and a galaxy of ministers.

 

Ms Agnimitra Paul, a two-time MLA from Asansol Dakshin, continues to be one of the BJP’s most prominent women leaders in West Bengal. 

She retained her seat in the 2026 elections by defeating TMC’s Tapas Banerjee by over 40,000 votes. 

Before entering politics, she built a successful career in fashion design. She has showcased collections at major platforms, including Lakme Fashion Week, highlighting Bengal’s traditional crafts like Kantha embroidery.  

Purnima Chakraborty – Minister of State (MoS)

Purnima Chakraborty secured a major political win from the Shyampukur Assembly constituency in Kolkata, defeating senior TMC leader Shashi Panja by 14,633 votes. 

Her victory marked one of the notable urban gains for the BJP in the elections. 

She is known for her focus on local civic issues in North Kolkata. She defeated an established minister, which brought her into the political spotlight.  

Rise of north Bengal

Adhikari will have 10 colleagues from north Bengal districts with four cabinet-rank ministers and six ministers of state.

Nisith Pramanik, BJP MLA from Mathabhanga, had taken oath along with Adhikari on May 9 as a cabinet minister. Siliguri’s Shankar Ghosh, Dipak Burman from Falakata and Manoj Oraon from Kumargram were sworn-in on Monday as cabinet ministers.

Six others from different districts in the region took oath as ministers of state.

The north Bengal region has long complained of neglect over decades under both the Left Front and the Trinamool Congress. In recent elections, the region has turned into a stronghold of the BJP.

With this many ministers from the region, the Suvendu Adhikari government has indicated its priority for the region and also fixed accountability.

However, the Darjeeling hills, Jalpaiguri and South Dinajpur did not get any face in the ministry.

"Values of Awami League will help our nation. The spirit of Liberation War will prevail again," says AL leader Pankaj Debnath ::: "Bangladesh is suffering a lot"

A short interview with Awami League leader Pankaj Debnath - now in exile and hiding :::: 

Blogger (Nirendra Dev) :: How would you review the performance of Tarique Rahman Govt in the first 100 days and more ? There might have been lot of expectations probably from the BNP?

Awami League leader Pankaj Debnath : This is absolutely rubbish. This is a spin, the BNP guys have given. Ever since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League in a most unprecedented manner; Bangladesh is suffering a lot. First came Yunus regime and something the international media including in India did not understand is that the BNP and Jamaat were also ruling our country by proxy. Both these parties had encouraged the Yunus regime. 

It was an unconstitutional mechanism and there were no expectations either from the Yunus regime and neither from BNP.   

This is an interesting perspective. According to you people of Bangladesh did not quite vote for BNP with any expectation?

Pankaj Debnath : Now you seem to get the real point. There were no expectations from the BNP. You can say .... the people wanted to get rid off the so-called interim regime. I will also add that the people voted for a lesser evil. The February elections in Bangladesh was not a genuine election. It was not inclusive election. Our party stayed away from the elections. So you have the BNP Govt. But its performance has not been good. Personally me or say even my party is not surprised. I can go on....

 Ok, you may elaborate more !!

Pankaj Debnath : 

This February election was actually a drama. It was like a 'got up' or fixed foot ball match. In Bengali, I can say - Bhag-Bhatora election. 

It's like saying, let us divide the cake between ourselves. 

The result was therefore pre-planned; the BNP took 200 plus and Jamaat around 80. It was all pre-planned. The proof of this is found in the fact that the BNP is still encouraging Jamaat. Slowly there is a social acceptability. This is a matter of deep concern.

So, let me put it other way; what have been the major failures of the Tarique Govt?

Pankaj Debnath :   About BNP Govt, kam bolai bhalo (We should speak less). The era of hooliganism started under Yunus is still continuing. Media in our country is not free. 

The Govt is getting rid of  talented and efficient officials especially minorities from police, banking sector, education, defence and civil administration. There is no real halt to incidents of violence against minorities especially Buddhists and Hindus. 

Bangladesh is experiencing a severe nationwide measles outbreak. There are reports about 600 deaths have been reported since March. It's pathetic. 

It's a matter of fact that highly contagious measles can spread quickly through coughs and sneezes. The BNP Gov is clueless. It is all the more serious and is particularly dangerous for unvaccinated young children under the age of 5.

Old file snap 

Minorities are not safe. Tell us more on these. What about the security issues and the role of army ?

Pankaj Debnath :     I have already said Hindus and other minorities are not safe. Things deteriorated for them in July-August 2024. Under Yunus regime, several Hindus were killed. There was mob lynching. Things have not changed much. Hindus and Buddhists are still being attacked. Bangladesh has long way to go to come to normalcy.  However, I am eternally confident. The people of Bangladesh are optimistic that the principles and values of Awami League will help our nation yet again. 

I am also confident the spirit of Liberation War will prevail again ... sooner than later. So that we have a meaningful democracy in Bangladesh. 

The Tarique Rahman Govt in Dhaka is one of immense failure. It has failed on multiple fronts.  This failure of 15 months has built extra pressure on the BNP dispensation.

That's true. On normal functioning of the government - like education, women safety, atrocities against minorities, any sincere and committed Govt should have delivered. The BNP failed to open job avenues too.  Worse, for recent import of oil shipments there are reports of indirect patronizing of a Jamaat leader. 

All these should make us raise eyebrows. 

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"Battlefield is so transparent that every movement is known to the other side" ::: Why Army chief Gen Dwivedi spoke about 'readiness' for Operation Sindoor-2

The armed forces are fully prepared for ‘Operation Sindoor 2.0’ if the need arises, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said on Saturday.

He asserted that all three services are enhancing synergy for modern multi-domain warfare that extends beyond land, air and sea.

It was a bigger and perhaps a clearer message for Pakistan. It was a blunt missive to India's western neighbour that if cross-border terrorism continues, India will not show restraint in a future escalation.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the passing-out parade of the 150th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, Gen Dwivedi noted that while a temporary cessation of hostilities currently exists, all three services are preparing intensely for the next phase should it take place.

General Dwivedi also gave a veiled message to a section of India's media and political parties when he said information warfare succeeds only when  it unites the nation behind a common narrative. 

India launched Operation Sindoor, a military exercise to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan in May 2025.

This was in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed lives of 26 terrorists in April. 

“As far as Operation Sindoor is concerned, firstly, it is still continuing. There is a temporary cessation of hostilities. So the Indian Army and all three services are preparing well for Operation Sindoor 2.0 if it takes place,” he said. 

He noted that future conflicts would increasingly be influenced by emerging domains such as space, cyber and cognitive warfare.  

Modern battlefields have become highly transparent, General Dwivedi said, adding that military planners must remain cautious about deployments and force protection measures. 

“What we have seen over a period of time is 24/7. 

The battlefield is so transparent that every movement is known to the other side. Therefore, we have to be very cautious in terms of our deployment, in terms of our employment, and the protection which is required to protect our troops as well as the civilians in the border areas,” he said.

The stern message highlights India's military preparedness, indicating that not only the Army but also the Air Force and Navy are ready should a fresh operation become necessary.  

"Jointness and integration are no longer optional -- they are an absolute operational necessity in the modern battlespace. Future conflicts will demand seamless coordination across land, sea, air, cyber, space and information domains," said Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

According to Admiral Tripathi, no single service can operate effectively in isolation under increasingly complex conditions, making tri-service integration central to India's future defence architecture.

He, however, stressed that theatre commands must be driven by operational effectiveness and enhancement of military capability rather than organisational restructuring alone.

"Regarding a dedicated maritime theatre command, the maritime domain, by its very nature, inherently requires the integrated application of naval, air, land and coast guard capabilities," he said. 

The Navy has also significantly enhanced its anti-submarine warfare capability, underwater surveillance, and network-centric operations to counter emerging maritime challenges posed by the growing China-Pakistan nexus in the Indian Ocean region, said the Navy Chief.

In an exclusive interview to news agency, PTI, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy remains prepared to deal with any "two-front" challenge in the maritime domain and emphasised that ongoing conflicts in West Asia underscore the direct link between maritime security, energy security and economic resilience.  

His remarks come amid the growing presence of China's PLA Navy in the Indian Ocean region and Beijing's deepening maritime cooperation with Pakistan, including the transfer of submarine capabilities and the modernisation of the Pakistani Navy.

"We are fully aware that the Indian Ocean Region is witnessing increasing strategic contestation and greater extra-regional presence, moving us from an 'era of cooperation' into an 'era of intense competition'," he said.  

The Indian Navy is  finalizing a nearly $8 billion deal with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to domestically construct six advanced, diesel-electric submarines under Project 75-India (P-75I). 

These submarines will feature state-of-the-art Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, enabling them to remain submerged for weeks without surfacing.

ends