Who attacked Abhishek Banerjee? TMC, BJP pin blame on each other !!! ::: "internal factionalism within the Trinamool Congress", says BJP :::: Trinamool slams Lotus party

Who attacked Abhishek Banerjee? TMC, BJP pin blame on each other

The attack on Abhishek Banerjee has triggered a political confrontation between TMC and BJP, with both parties trading allegations over responsibility. 

While TMC claims BJP-backed mob involvement and cites the presence of a local BJP functionary, 

....the BJP counters that internal rivalries within the TMC may have driven the incident.

With both sides seeking to pin responsibility on the other, claims and counter-claims have flown thick and fast over the incident, which has left the TMC top brass visibly shaken.

Earlier in the day, the TMC shared a photograph alleging that BJP's Mondal president Abhijit Biswas was present at the scene and was "actively directing and instigating" the crowd. 

The party questioned the BJP's claim that the incident was a spontaneous expression of public anger, asking who had mobilised the crowd and who was behind the attack.  

Responding to the allegations, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that the six people arrested in connection with the attack were close associates of former TMC MLA Lovely Maitra until recently. 

He said the revelation raised questions about whether the incident was linked to internal factionalism within the Trinamool Congress rather than political opponents.

The TMC, however, rejected BJP's counter and released another photograph of the incident, identifying a man named Akash Gayan as one of the alleged attackers. The party claimed Gayan was a BJP worker and pointed to his social media activity as evidence of his political affiliation.

In a post, the TMC accused Amit Malviya and others of attempting to divert attention from the incident.

At least five people have been arrested for allegedly attacking Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district, police said on Sunday. 

The arrests were made during overnight raids on the basis of video footage collected from the area. 

The attack took place on Saturday when the Diamond Harbour MP went to Sonarpur town to visit victims of post-poll violence. 

Abhishek Banerjee later alleged that BJP activists were trying to kill him, while the BJP denied any involvement and said such incidents were not desirable in a healthy and normal society. 

Police said scores of people hurled stones, eggs and abuse at Banerjee. He was escorted away from the mob by his aides and was seen wearing a cricket helmet. Unidentified people also scuffled with him and roughed him up while raising chants of "thief, thief".  

"It is because the BJP is in power and we applied restraints; many TMC leaders are safe and living today. Had TMC come to power... I would not be here today and 500 BJP workers would have been killed... And if any other party, Left or Congress was in power, the TMC leaders would not be there to lecture today," BJP state unit president Samik Bhattacharya said on Saturday.

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"BNP Govt has not achieved anything extra ordinary. Time is running out", says Awami League leader Sushen Chandra Shill

Awami League leader Sushen Chandra Shill, now in hiding and away from Bangladesh since August 2024, says: 

"First one hundred days of a Govt is a very small time in the life of a nation like Bangladesh. People want key results. They want the BNP govt to perform. 

Expectations are too much. It is also because the interim Yunus regime has failed. 

People want improved law and order situation. Attacks against women and minorities should end. People will measure a Good Govt if prices remain steady and affordable. Unfortunately, the BNP Govt has not achieved anything extra ordinary. Time is running out".  

Answering a question, he asserted : "People of Bangladesh irrespective of class and religion and rural-urban divide still cherish the values of the politics of Awami League. That way ground is slowly turning in favour of our beloved leader Sheikh Hasina yet again.  

To a question he said,  "Our political rivals spread rumour and bogus news against Awami League leadership .... they succeeded to mislead people of Bangladesh in 2024. But by 2026, everyone seems to realise the mistake. The BNP or any other party is not the answer. They all have limitations. 

The Awami League is the answer for the people of Bangladesh".  

Truck drivers halt movement on National Highway after "colleague’s killing" :::: "Kashmir ko seedha kardiya, Manipur bhi karo"

"Manipur ko bhi seedha karo"

(Make Manipur see reason and embrace Peace and Harmony)" - a Bengali truck driver Harbijan Das urges Modi Govt to act firmly and fast in violence-hit Manipur)  

Driver stranded in Manipur issues stark warning: 

‘If Kashmir could be straightened out, why not this? Fix Manipur too — or the state will be ruined.’ 

The driver, originally from West Bengal, urged the government to act after being caught in the ongoing unrest.  "Kashmir ko seedha kar diya, yeh log kaun sa khet ka mooli hae 

(There is nothing extra ordinary about Manipur.. If Kashmir could be brought under leash... even Manipur can be controlled). 

"Isko bhi seedha karo ... nahi toh sab barbaad ho jaega"

  

Truck drivers halt movement on NH‑37 after colleague’s killing — ‘We refuse to drive if it means dying one by one.’

In anger over yesterday’s murder of a driver, all truck drivers have launched an agitation, abandoning steering wheels in protest.  

A civilian truck driver from 'outside the state' was killed in firing allegedly by Kuki militants near Patlejang village between 11:00 am and 11:20 am on May 29.

BSF took the body to RIMS, Imphal for postmortem, reports said. 

The driver Killed in ambush on civilian trucks by Kuki Terrorist KNA and KNA-BURMA is reportedly a native of Bihar and at present settled in West Bengal.

Videos available and reports also claimed that Villagers attending a funeral service at TM Kasom in Manipur’s Ukhrul district allegedly came under attack from suspected militants on Manipur 29.

According to local sources, armed militants allegedly from nearby Patleijang opened fire while mourners were conducting the last rites of an elderly villager who had reportedly died due to a kidney-related illness. 

The firing reportedly took place near the cemetery area, triggering panic among those attending the funeral.

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Sunday Classic !! ::: Chitrahaar wth West Bengal politics .... Ouster of 'aapa' .... installation of Suvendu Govt .... and Bhaipo heckled amid 'chor chor' slogan

Chitrahaar wth West Bengal politics .... 

Sunday Classic !!  .... Ouster of 'aapa' .... Suvendu Govt .... and Bhaipo heckled amid 'chor chor' slogan

"Muh ki baat sune har koi" .... Sadiyon Sadiyon  .... 

"Woh mera aaina hae  (That's my mirror .... an I the shadow of the mirror ? There seems someone similar to me in my own house) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4eLE3Um1jU

"Woh mera aaina hae  (That's my mirror .... an I the shadow of the mirror ? There seems someone similar to me in my own house)  

"Kabhi palko pe asoon hae ... Kabhi lav pe shikayat hae .... 

Jo aata hae, woh jata hae ..... (What comes ... that will go away too ....  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBrpAsGotEM&list=RDsBrpAsGotEM&start_radio=1

Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezar 

film Don | Amitabh Bachchan & Zeenat Aman

Video Link

Mujhpe jo gujri tu kya jaane (What we have gone through is not known to you) 

Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh – 

3 Idiots 

Video Link

"Woh .. khud apna raha banata ... girta sambhal ta  

(He would make his own way ... unlike us ... who depended on the beaten track) 

Hum Bhul Gaye Re Har Baat Magar Tera  

Link

Dnniya se shikayat kya karten ... jab tuney hamey samjha nahi 

(How do we complain about this world; when you never understood us properly) 

Yeh Bandhan Toh Pyaar Ka Bandhan Hai

Video Link

Main toh tumare kathir ..... 

(With apologies to all. Sarcastically yours) 

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2018 Recall ::: When colleague Jacinta D'Souza graced national capital :::: Do not read it; if you hate journalists

 'Australia guest', but hardcore Mumbaikar....Jacinta graced national capital....

dosti nibhate hai, toh afsaane likhe jaate hai.....u can write epics with FRIENDSHIP. 

Jacinta Dsouza had weakness for my Hindi dialogues !

Nivedita - ex pti colleague played facilitator.....what a grand meeting. 

JD's English pronunciation was 'perfect'. 

All memories are Great 

(What matters is the game. you should keep playing. that's life ) 

Three Journos and 'wrong' lady on my right 

We experienced that best with the word SUBTLE ....bongs and Marathis can go wrong easily. 

'JD - ND' made a combo in Mumbai reporting for PTI for a while and it made some impact !! there were others like Dr Lalitha Vaidyanathan too 

there were exciting moments, late night rush and often 'terrible bosses' to handle...- one used to give food for thought ...even if it was boring...and u had no appetite!!!

Dhirubhai Ambani's death. crisis to Vilasrao Deshmukh ministry and all that....

another man....oh boy ......oboy.....ob......etc etc Jane do for the time being

Jacinta made a mark in Mumbai crime reporting by her one of those famous encounters with a Crime Branch top gun !! 

all that can be referred in a journalism class room!

Jacinta and her 'niece' Ms Tanvi 

and to sum it up -- in later years she received a telegram from the cop - wishing her good wishes on her 'nuptial knot'...incidentally with a former UNI colleague !! and a Mallu !! Gentleman too.

many stories ....some PTI bosses had advised her to come out of 'marital bliss' .....JUST NOTE THE SICKNESS !

by 2000 - the parliament street disease had spread to western India too !!

we ought to thank our stars and self-confidence --- we all came out of it !! 

bravo Jacinta, Nivedita...more such dinner on cards ! 

Daughter Tanvi Dev and two aunts !!

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Pulse of Punjab Power Politics :::: Results of Urban local body elections came as a boost for BJP :::: Lotus party increases tally from 49 wards in 2021 to crossing the 170-ward

The worst and the best part of BJP's politics is that it is busy with electioneering round the year.

In the elections to eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats all spread across 1,977 wards, the BJP has gone from winning 49 wards in 2021 to crossing the 170-ward mark in 2026.  

Among the BJP’s most politically symbolic victories came in the Muslim-majority Malerkotla Municipal Council, where the party won one ward by 265 more votes than the AAP candidate.

For a party often perceived as struggling for acceptability among minority voters in Punjab, the Malerkotla result offers the BJP an opportunity to project political inclusiveness.

In Pathankot, represented by Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma, the party won 18 of 50 wards, while the SAD won 12 and the AAP was restricted to 4.

It's pretty long way up the ladder. Optimists among poll strategists say even as the party only placed fifth in terms of wards won – behind the AAP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Independents – the civic poll results signal the party’s growing influence in Punjab’s urban and semi-urban belts.

Close on the heels of its first ever win in the West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP is now eyeing AAP-ruled Punjab for the 2027 Assembly polls. The northern state will go to the polls along with two other neighbouring states Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh besides Manipur and Goa. 

On Friday, a day after the BJP appointed Kewal Singh Dhillon as the first Sikh president of its Punjab unit, the results of state’s urban local body elections came as a boost.  

Nevertheless, the ruling AAP remains the dominant force in most civic bodies. Analysts say some wins were important.

The most significant gains came in the Abohar Municipal Corporation, where the BJP secured a majority with 28 of its 50 seats.

AAP trailed with 20 seats. 

Abohar carries symbolic significance for the BJP as it is the hometown of former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, whose nephew Sandeep Jakhar is the area’s sitting MLA. 

It's much sweeter win for the BJP because five years back in the 2021 civic polls, the Congress had swept Abohar, winning 49 wards.

Despite these gains, BJP leaders have alleged irregularities in the counting process. Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal claimed the party’s tally had crossed 200 wards during the morning trends before the State Election Commission (SEC) website allegedly crashed.

“The results are moderate. Our tally had crossed 200 in the morning and then the SEC website crashed for nearly two hours. Afterwards, our number suddenly reduced to below 100 before increasing gradually again. However, we are not disappointed because we expected such moves from the AAP. Our homework for 2027 has begun and we will continue working accordingly,” said Baliawal.

Expanding beyond urban pockets

In these civic elections, the BJP’s performances are spread across multiple regions, rather than being confined to its traditional Hindu-majority urban belts.

Besides securing a majority in the Abohar Municipal Corporations, the BJP also opened its account in the Bathinda Municipal Corporation in a district that is regarded as a stronghold of farmers’ unions and agrarian politics.  

The saffron outfit also made gains in municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa, Patiala and Fazilka districts. 

The gains in Mansa district also carry special significance for the BJP, which has faced intense protests in Punjab over farm policies. 

“Mansa is where the farm agitation had deep roots. The BJP winning six seats (in the Mansa Municipal Council) is being seen as a positive sign for the party,” a BJP source said.

Importantly for the BJP; in these urban body polls, people of Punjab "voted against the AAP" because they were unhappy with the lack of development and the party’s approach towards local voters. 

"Mansa has always been politically vocal and these results should be seen as a referendum by all political parties,” said Gurlabh Singh Mahal, a Mansa-based activist.

Moreover; for a party often perceived as struggling for acceptability among minority voters in Punjab, the Malerkotla result offers the BJP an opportunity to project political inclusiveness.

In Barnala, the home district of newly appointed Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, the party could win only seven wards in the municipal corporation, while the AAP secured 36 of 50 seats.

Dhillon, however, accused the AAP of “manipulating” the electoral process. “Unfair practices were used by the AAP to win by hook or by crook. Papers of our candidates were cancelled. Democracy was murdered in these polls. But we are preparing seriously for 2027,” he said.

Despite its improved performance, the BJP still faces significant structural and political challenges in Punjab.

** The Lotus party still remains heavily dependent on urban Hindu voters in several pockets.

*** It is yet to establish deep organisational roots across rural Sikh-majority constituencies. 

Independents and the SAD continue to retain influence in many semi-urban regions, while the AAP still commands the advantage of incumbency and organisational reach.

Moreover, the shadow of the farmers’ agitation also continues to influence perceptions of the BJP in agrarian belts, even though party leaders believe hostility towards them has reduced considerably. 

“In 2021, many of our candidates could not even campaign because of the farm law protests. This time we could freely campaign in villages and towns. That itself is a major change in five years,” said a BJP leader.

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'Chor' slogan amid public anger ::: Shoes, eggs and stones hurled at Mamata's 'powerful' Bhaipo Abhishek :::: Twenty-five days after Assembly poll results, first public event of Diamond Harbour MP comes a cropper

It was the first instance of public anger erupting against a political leader who, until a month ago, was an unquestioned power centre in West Bengal.

Twenty-five days after the Bengal Assembly poll results, this was the Trinamool Congress national general secretary's first public event. 

A reminder to an arrogant leader who loved to throw up phrases like "kaun baaper beta".  

No Trinamool leader or worker from Sonarpur accompanied the party's national general secretary at the spot.

Outside the Karmakar residence, men, women and children threatened the Trinamool national general secretary.

Several women alleged that they had been forced to leave their homes after receiving threats from local Trinamool leaders. 

"We want to ask him why he didn't protect us. Why were women left unprotected?" a woman asked.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was roughed up on Saturday, allegedly by locals, when he visited West Bengal's Sonarpur area to meet families of post-poll violence victims, police said.

Stones, shoes and eggs were hurled at the TMC MP by unidentified people who even attempted to rain blows and kicks on him, while they shouted 'thief' slogans at Banerjee.

He had gone to Sonarpur to meet the family members of Sanju Karmakar, a victim of post-poll violence in Ward 9 of Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality's Vivekanandanagar area.

The visit had been announced on Friday night. The moment Abhishek stepped out of his vehicle, he was greeted with chants of "chor, chor" (thief).  One woman demonstrator screamed at a TV channel: 

"He had the habit of throwing challenges to everyone. When Hindu families were attacked in Sonarpur... he was no where. He spoke about playing DJ after May 4. We are here to play DJ for him (sic)".  

TMC supremo and former chief minister Mamata Banerjee had also faced similar slogans on May 14 from lawyers and protestors at the Calcutta High Court.

On Thursday, senior TMC MP Sougata Roy experienced a similarly volatile ambush at the Nimta police station, where the 78-year-old leader was heckled by an angry crowd that not only chanted the "chor chor" slogans but also escalated the protest by hurling eggs at his vehicle.  

From his SUV, Abhishek switched to a bike, which soon came under attack. He later walked to the Karmakar residence wearing a helmet, with his shirt torn, surrounded by security personnel and a handful of Trinamool supporters from Bhabanipur. 

"Why is he here? He must have come here to take money. Why didn't he go to Panihati after the doctor was raped and killed?" asked a woman resident. The locals were also angry over lack of civic amenities in their localities.

Accompanied by his security personnel, Abhishek entered the Karmakar residence on Kamrabad Sarat Sarani.

Security personnel escorted him into the residence with a police helmet on and his shirt tattered as the crowd turned aggressive.  State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the local police should take action. 

"The BJP does not engage in such kind of politics. Police should take action," Bhattacharya said. 

"People remember what our former women's wing chief Roopa Ganguly (elected MLA from Sonarpur South) had to face. People of Bengal have voted for a change against this politics of violence."

"It is because the BJP is in power and we applied restraints; many TMC leaders are safe and living today. Had TMC come to power... I would not be here today and 500 BJP workers would have been killed... And if any other party, Left or Congress was in power, the TMC leaders would not be there to lecture today," Samik said. 

Personnel from central forces accompanied by officers from Sonarpur police station, have reached ward 9 to rescue the Diamond Harbour MP. After being holed up inside the Karnakar residence for over 90 minutes, Abhishek was escorted by the central forces and local police while a mob chased the vehicle, shouting abuses.

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