As the final five phases of polls draw closer, rift among <keyword id="20101713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="INDIA-bloc-partners" source="keywords">INDIA bloc partners</keyword>, <keyword id="21533469" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress-Left-combine" source="keywords">Congress-Left combine</keyword> and the <keyword id="19942089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TMC" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="TMC" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="TMC">TMC</keyword>, which are fighting separately has intensified, triggering a fierce contest across half of the remaining 36 constituencies in West Bengal driven by local issues such as <keyword id="20074422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sandeshkhali" source="keywords">Sandeshkhali</keyword> and the SSC scam. TMC's decision to contest independently in the state, rather than as part of the bloc, has led to a three-way contest, with the other contenders being the BJP and the Congress-Left alliance. Nevertheless, both TMC and Congress have asserted that they are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level and are authentic representatives of the opposition front in Bengal. Political analysts suggest that without a dominant national narrative like national security after the 2019 Pulwama attacks, local concerns such as corruption allegations, the cancellation of School Service Commission (SSC) jobs, incidents in Sandeshkhali and implementation of the <keyword id="19965573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Citizenship-Amendment-Act" source="keywords">Citizenship Amendment Act</keyword> (CAA) are altering election dynamics. Maidul Islam, a political scientist at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, remarked, "Till a few months ago, it seemed the elections in Bengal will be a bipolar contest between the TMC and BJP. But with issues like corruption and Sandeshkhali gaining prominence, the Left-Congress alliance is fast gaining traction in several seats and turning the polls into a three-cornered contest in at least 18-20 LS segments." He said besides the two and three seats in Malda and Murshidabad districts, where TMC and Congress secured two each and the BJP one in 2019, there are 13 seats spread across South Bengal, where the TMC and the Left-Congress alliance are engaging in intense competition. "It's not that the Left-Congress will win many seats, but in segments where their vote share is above 10 per cent, there is a likelihood that they might influence the outcome, to the disadvantage of either the TMC or the BJP, if they manage to secure two per cent more votes," Islam added. According to sources in TMC and CPI(M), the electoral battleground extends beyond Malda and Murshidabad, encompassing Lok Sabha segments like Dum Dum, Srerampore, Arambagh, Hooghly, Howrah, Barrackpore, Bardhaman-Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Bankura, Purulia, Tamluk, Kolkata North, and Jadavpur, all poised for a three-cornered fight. Notably, eight of these seats were won by TMC and the remaining by BJP in the 2019 parliamentary polls. "The shift in dynamics presents the Congress-Left alliance as a significant player, and its emergence complicates the electoral narrative, transcending the conventional TMC versus BJP dichotomy," political analyst Subhomoy Moitra said. While the Left Front is contesting 30 seats, the Congress has fielded candidates in 12 out of 42 seats. "We wanted an alliance with the Congress, but they were delaying the seat-sharing arrangements, so we decided to go alone. Now the Left-Congress alliance is helping the BJP by trying to eat into our votes," remarked TMC leader Santanu Sen. According to TMC leaders, the breakup of INDIA alliance in Bengal has both electoral advantages and disadvantages. "After the Left and Congress alliance fell apart in West Bengal in 2019, it had led to a four-cornered contest with BJP bagging the entire chunk of the anti-TMC votes in the state," they said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP bagged 18 seats and its vote share rose from 17 to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, despite a 3 per cent rise in vote share, the TMC lost 12 seats, dropping from 34 to 22. The Left drew a blank with a vote share decline from 24 per cent to 6 per cent, and the Congress lost two seats, shrinking its vote share from 9.5 per cent to 5 per cent and bagging just two seats. "Local issues such as corruption and SSC scam are helping the Left-Congress in the state as there is anger among a section of people against the TMC and also against the BJP over the perception of a tacit understanding," a TMC leader said. Analysts observe that <keyword id="43868" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mamata-banerjee" source="Orion">Mamata Banerjee</keyword>'s intensified criticism of Left and Congress, accusing them of aiding BJP, and the ensuing sharp responses from CPI(M) and Congress, alleging a secret pact between TMC and BJP, as indicative of the growing significance of Left-Congress alliance. Data from various local elections and by-polls conducted after 2021 assembly elections indicate a shift in anti-TMC votes as there has been a resurgence of Left-Congress combine. Incidentally, the BJP had witnessed a decline in its vote share as compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha and 38 per cent in 2021 assembly polls. In 2023, violence scarred panchayat polls which covered nearly 70 per cent of the state's electorate, the TMC had bagged 51 per cent of votes whereas the BJP had bagged 22 per cent. The Left-Congress-ISF alliance had, however, bagged 23 per cent votes. The ISF this time, however, has decided to contest alone in 17 seats. Congress leader Suvankar Sarkar emphasized, "People are disenchanted with the TMC and the BJP, as they are both sides of the same coin. People are coming out in large numbers to support the Left-Congress candidates." CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed confidence in the Left-Congress alliance's potential to deliver surprising results in the elections, claiming initial success in breaking bipolar politics in Bengal. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar downplayed the significance of the rift in opposition alliance and the three-cornered fight in various seats. "People know that BJP is only fighting TMC's misrule in Bengal. Those who want to vote against TMC, will vote for us only just like in the 2019 and 2021 polls," he said. Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty suggested that TMC stands to gain the most from the three-cornered contest. In minority pockets, the Left-Congress alliance could dent TMC's vote base, potentially aiding BJP's prospects, he noted.

West Bengal Elections: Rift among INDIA bloc partners triggers three-cornered intense contests

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a <keyword id="19957723" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pil" source="keywords">PIL</keyword> seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into the violence in West Bengal's <keyword id="20074422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sandeshkhali" source="keywords">Sandeshkhali</keyword> village. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and <keyword id="20645375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="augustine-george-masih" source="keywords">Augustine George Masih</keyword> said the Calcutta High Court is already seized of the matter and taken cognisance. "Let there be no dual forums," the bench said while granting liberty to the PIL petitioner to approach the high court. As the bench was disinclined to entertain the matter, petitioner-lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava withdrew the PIL. The matter was dismissed as withdrawn. Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has been witnessing violent protests over allegations of sexual abuse of women by a local TMC leader and his supporters. Several women have accused local Trinamool Congress strongman <keyword id="20150607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shajahan-sheikh" source="keywords">Shajahan Sheikh</keyword> and his supporters of land grab and sexual assault. <keyword id="20048236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sheikh" source="keywords">Sheikh</keyword> is absconding ever since a mob, allegedly linked to him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a corruption case.

SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking court-monitored probe into Sandeshkhali violence case

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider listing a <keyword id="19957723" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pil" source="keywords">PIL</keyword> seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into the violence in West Bengal's <keyword id="20074422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sandeshkhali" source="keywords">Sandeshkhali</keyword> village. A day after the filing, the PIL was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. "Have you sent an email (seeking urgent hearing)? " the CJI asked. When PIL petitioner and lawyer Alakh Alok <keyword id="19920909" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="srivastava" source="keywords">Srivastava</keyword> answered in the affirmative, the CJI said, "I will deal with this in the afternoon". The plea filed by Srivastava in his personal capacity, also seeks compensation for victims of the Sandeshkhali violence and action against officials of the West Bengal Police for alleged dereliction of duty. Srivastava, a practising Supreme Court lawyer, has been filing PILs in the top court to raise socio-political issues. The plea also seeks transfer of the probe and subsequent trial outside West Bengal. Besides, it seeks an inquiry by a three-judge committee as done in the Manipur violence case. Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has been witnessing protests over allegations of sexual abuse of women by a local TMC leader. Several women in the region have accused the local Trinamool Congress strongman <keyword id="20150607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shajahan-sheikh" source="keywords">Shajahan Sheikh</keyword> and his supporters of land-grab and sexually assaulting them under coercion. <keyword id="20528487" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shajahan" source="keywords">Shajahan</keyword> has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated to him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a corruption case.

Court-monitored probe into Sandeshkhali violence case: SC agrees to consider listing PIL

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that severe cyclonic storm Remal has weakened into a cyclonic storm in the early hours of Monday, and is expected to gradually weaken further. "Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal weakened into Cyclonic Storm at 0530hrs of the 27 May about 70km northeast of Canning and 30km west-southwest of Mongla. The system is likely to gradually weaken further," IMD posted on X. Following the weakening of <keyword id="21792316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cyclone-Remal" source="keywords">cyclone Remal</keyword>, the flight operations resumed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. "Flight operations resumed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata at 0859 hrs, after it was closed for flight operation yesterday in view of the #CycloneRemal," the official X handle of Kolkata Airport posted. A passenger Debali Datta said, "I had my flight yesterday which got delayed. The airport authority informed me that it will depart today. This is because of the cyclone. Since we got to know beforehand, it did not create a lot of trouble for us." Meanwhile, the NDRF team cleared the road after a tree was uprooted near Sagar Island amid heavy rain and gusty winds in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose with the Raj Bhavan task force also went on a field visit after cyclone Remal made a landfall yesterday night. "Raj Bhavan task force has just returned from the field visit. We are all greatly relieved that no reported casualty is there. Remal cyclone is weakening and the people of Bengal have been able to brave it with fortitude and courage. We are watching in case there is any need for any help. Raj Bhavan task force is ready. I thank the entire people of West Bengal for the solidarity which they have expressed," Bose said. As the severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' makes landfall between Bangladesh and the adjoining West Bengal coast, the <keyword id="19926358" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Coast-Guard" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Coast Guard" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Indian Coast Guard">Indian Coast Guard</keyword> earlier said that it is closely monitoring the landfall of the cyclone with a <keyword id="21818895" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="disaster-response-team" source="keywords">disaster response team</keyword>, ships, and <keyword id="20480976" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hovercraft" source="keywords">hovercraft</keyword> on standby at short notice to respond to post-impact challenges. The ICG further asked the people to follow official advisories, stay informed, and stay safe. "Update cyclone #Remal@IndiaCoastGuard is closely monitoring the landfall of cyclone #Remal with the disaster response team, Ships, and Hovercraft standby at short notice to respond to post-impact challenges. Follow official advisories, Stay informed, and stay safe," the ICG posted on X. Following the landfall of cyclonic storm 'Remal', waterlogging has been witnessed in parts of Kolkata with heavy rain. The visuals from the Race Course Area showed people and vehicles moving on the water-logged roads. Several trees were also uprooted in Kolkata's Alipore area as heavy rain and gusty winds lashed several parts of West Bengal. The IMD earlier informed that the storm 'Remal' would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm. The cyclone moved northwards and crossed the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal Coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla, said IMD. "The Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Remal' over the North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 13 kmph during past 06 hours, crossed Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal Coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara close to southwest of Mongla near Latitude 21.75°N and Longitude 89.2°E between 22:30 hrs IST of 26th May to 00:30 hrs IST of 27th May 2024 as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 110 to 120 Kmph gusting to 135 Kmph," said IMD in a post on X. "It lay centred at 01:30 hrs IST of today, the 27th May, 2024 over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal, near latitude 21.9°N and longitude 89,2°E about 115 km east of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 105 km west-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 70 km southeast of Canning (West Bengal) and SO km south-southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh), The system would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm by morning of 27," added the post. The Kolkata Municipality and Kolkata Police Disaster Management teams are engaged in clearing uprooted trees in the city. 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Cyclone Remal weakens gradually; flight operations resume in Kolkata

Kolkata, June 5 (IANS) Fortnight after Cyclone Amphan rocked a large part of south Bengal districts, West Bengal Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee on Friday initiated the fencing work in core forest areas of Sunderbans with large nets to stop tigers from sneaking inside the human habitations. Banerjee, along with other senior state forest department officials, reached Peerkhali area this morning to start the fencing off operation. The minister was seen working with the villagers and other officials to cover the core areas with bamboo and large fencing nets, sources said. Meanwhile, the seven-member Central team, formed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), started off for Patharpratima, Gosaba, Sandeshkhali and Hingalganj to assess the quantum of damage caused by Cyclone Amphan. According to state government sources, the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), led by MHA Joint Secretary Anuj Sharma, were divided into four groups to conduct both aerial and ground assessment in Sunderbans region ascertain ingthe quantum of loss and destruction caused by the severe cyclonic storm last month. The team is also expected to tour around the state capital Kolkata that had witnessed substantial damages in the wake of the super storm. Before leaving for New Delhi, the IMCT is slated to hold a meeting with State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha and other government officials on Saturday. Earlier, two days after cyclone Amphan Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited West Bengal along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The duo had conducted an aerial survey of affected areas after which the PM had announced an advance relief of Rs 1,000 crore for West Bengal. --IANS sbn/sdr/

You Searched For "Sandeshkhali" and got 8 results

West Bengal Elections: Rift among INDIA bloc partners triggers three-cornered intense contests

PTI

SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking court-monitored probe into Sandeshkhali violence case

PTI

Court-monitored probe into Sandeshkhali violence case: SC agrees to consider listing PIL

PTI

Cyclone Remal weakens gradually; flight operations resume in Kolkata

ANI

Bengal Minister initiates fencing drive in cyclone-ravaged Sunderbans

IANS

Here are the winning candidates from Trinamool Congress in West Bengal elections 2021

BI India Bureau

West Bengal election results 2021: Checkout the list of winning candidates

BI India Bureau

West Bengal election results 2021: Trinamool Congress scores a double century but Mamata Banerjee loses Nandigram

BI India Bureau