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Nandigram: Mamata Banerjee extends visit from 3 days to 5, Amit Shah and Mithun Chakraborty to hold rally in lead up to face off

OpIndia Staff
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Nandigram: Mamata Banerjee extends visit from 3 days to 5, Amit Shah and Mithun Chakraborty to hold rally in lead up to face off

The epicenter of 2021 West Bengal elections, Nandigram is all set to witness a face-off between the titans between the BJP and TMC. In a final push by TMC to win Nandigram, Mamata Banerjee will be seen hosting rallies and roadshows for the next five days, as reported by Jagran.

Mamata Banerjee is set to arrive in Nandigram today (Sunday) at 4 pm to participate in a mela, and later hold a rally in Birulia, the very same area where she was injured. Her five-day visit begins with roadshows followed by three rallies to be held tomorrow (March 29) and the day after (March 30) in both the blocks of the constituency. It is being reported that Mamata Banerjee will continue to rally in a wheelchair which seems to have become a part of her political event since her injury.

On the other hand, Home Minister Amit Shah will be holding a massive roadshow on Tuesday (March 30) with veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, who recently joined the party, to garner support for Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee’s opponent and ex-TMC leader, in Nandigram.

Mamata Banerjee will reportedly participate in at least 10 public events. She extended her stay from three days to five days saying, “The BJP is giving shelter to the outsider goons to create tension during the polls. I will stay at Nandigram despite all odds so that nothing untoward happens there.”

The sudden extension of Mamata Banerjee’s visit to Nandigram has attracted strong reactions from the BJP camp.

Senior BJP leader, Kailash Vijayvargiya in an interview said, “Banerjee has already lost confidence about the Nandigram seat. Nandigram’s people were actually waiting for Banerjee to come (and contest the seat) so that they can teach her a lesson. She had assured that she would bring industry to Nandigram and also improve agriculture. For 10 years, she remained the chief minister but she did not do any development…Whatever development happened there was done by Adhikari (who won the assembly seat in 2016 on a TMC ticket).”

Tajinder Bagga, another popular face from the BJP cadre who carried out major campaigns in Bengal for BJP, tweeted regarding the matter.

Contrary to this, TMC leaders are optimistic that Mamata Banerjee will come back to power with ease. A senior leader of TMC said, “She (Mamata Banerjee) will win comfortably in Nandigram. There is no anger against her amongst the people…she will win her seat, defeating Suvendu Mukherjee by a comfortable margin”.

A TMC delegation of MP Derek o’ Brien MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had met the State Election Office urging the Election Commission to ensure ‘violence free’ election throughout the state including Nandigram. However, Suvendu Adhikari’s brother Somendu Adhikari and some karyakartas were brutally assaulted by a mob led by Ram Govind Das, the Block President of the area, before the TMC goons proceeded to vandalize the car. 

Allegedly, the TMC party workers have been asked to keep an eye on and monitor BJP’s activities.

Kerala: CPM cadres attack BJP candidate Shobha Surendran’s convoy, party workers injured

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: CPM cadres attack BJP candidate Shobha Surendran’s convoy, party workers injured

Ahead of the assembly elections in Kerala, senior BJP leader Shobha Surendran and party workers were physically attacked by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers during an election rally at Thiruvananthapuram.

According to reports, on Friday, the convoy of the BJP leader Shobha Surendran was attacked by the CPM workers, leaving several injured. Shobha Surendran is the BJP candidate from the Kazhakoottam assembly constituency in the Thiruvananthapuram district.

The CPM workers recklessly ran motorbikes in an attempt to stop the convoy and BJP workers. The attackers allegedly belonged to the far-left Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the CPM youth wing.

After the attack, the DYFI members fled from the spot and took shelter inside the CPM booth office. The BJP leaders protested outside the CPM booth office and demanded strong action against the attackers. However, the Kerala police did not take any action against the CPM workers.

“The tactics adopted by the CPM in Attingal during the Lok Sabha election are now being repeated in Kazhakkoottam. Kadakampally has earlier stated that he respects women. But with the attack, the insincerity of the minister’s statement stands exposed,” Surendran told reporters.

As BJP is making inroads in Kerala, both factions – Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the incumbent left-coalition Left Democratic Front (LDF) are facing the heat, thus leading to a repeated instance of political violence in the state. It is worth mentioning that Islamists and far-left groups have killed several RSS and BJP workers in Kerala in the last few years after the saffron party began to gain prominence in state politics.

The 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly polls is scheduled to be held on April 6 to elect 140 MLAs. The results will be announced on May 2.

‘Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami is born of an illegitimate affair, less worthy than Stalin’s slippers,’ says DMK leader A Raja

OpIndia Staff
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‘Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami is born of an illegitimate affair, less worthy than Stalin’s slippers,’ says DMK leader A Raja

On Saturday, DMK leader and MP A Raja triggered a massive row by making vile comments against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), saying that he was “born of an illegitimate affair as a premature baby.”

According to reports, A Raja, who was campaigning for DMK’s Thousand light constituency candidate Dr N Ezhilan on Friday, reportedly abused Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami by referring to him as an illegitimate child.

Drawing a comparison between DMK Chief MK Stalin and CM EPS leadership, A Raja claimed that DMK chief Stalin was a true leader as he was born of pure blood and by legitimate means. However, according to Raja, Edappadi Palaniswami was born premature and was born out of an illegitimate relationship.

In this video that has gone viral now, A Raja can be heard saying, “Throughout his tenure, EPS has done nothing but given full-page ads to all the newspapers to show his fame and popularity. Thanks to this, the newspapers of Tamilnadu obtained a lot of ad revenue from these ads. Now, as the elections are approaching, they are trying to show their gratitude to him by singing praises of him.”

“This does not mean that EPS has the qualifications to be holding the position of CM. Nor has he done any form of sacrifice for the party or the state,” the DMK leader said.

Continuing to disparaging comments against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, D Raja said, “this clearly shows that our DMK leader Stalin is the leader who was born of pure blood and as a fully grown healthy baby, as well as by legitimate means, whereas Edappadi Palaniswami was born premature, and was born out of an illegitimate relationship.”

Further, during the rally, A Raja also said that CM EPS was less worthy as MK Stalin’s “slippers”. “Till the other day, Edappadi Palaniswami worked in jaggery market, how can he be competition to Stalin? The value of Stalin’s chappal is more than you by one rupee. And he dares Stalin to challenge him?” Raja asked.

As controversy erupts, Raja says his speech his ‘edited’

As Raja’s remarks created a major controversy, the DMK leader attempted to limit the damage by saying that his speech was edited and circulated.

“Should my speech, edited and cut and circulated on social media, be construed as though to tarnish the image of Palaniswami, then I cannot be held responsible for that,” he said.

Defending his speech, Raja said, “During my election campaigning, while I was trying to draw a picture of the way MK Stalin and Edappadi Palaniswami have risen in politics, my speech has cut and edited in various places to create a different impression. I see it getting circulated on social media. I did not have the intention to speak in a derogatory way about his birth”.

Meanwhile, DMK chief MK Stalin has directed his cadres to be careful about their speeches and asked them not to make derogatory remarks.

Stalin, in the statement, said, “I urge you to keep in mind our party’s tradition and dignity when campaigning. Before success, everyone must remember that the path to success is also important. Speakers should not use derogatory language when campaigning. I urge you to refrain from uttering such words and also remember that the party will never accept such talk.”

DMK leader says women have become fat by drinking foreign cows’ milk

On Friday, another DMK leader had stoked a controversy after making sexist remarks against women at an election campaign. DMK leader Dindigul Leoni had come under fire for making shocking sexist remarks against women at an election campaign rally in Coimbatore, saying women have become fat by drinking foreign cows’ milk.

In a video that had gone viral, Leoni was caught body-shaming women saying women have become “like a barrel” after drinking milk from the foreign breed of cows. Continue to make lewd comments, Leoni had said that earlier, women used to be “thin and their hips would have curves”.

“In a cowshed, people use a milking machine for foreign cows. These days, women drink milk from foreign cows because of which they have put on weight. Those days, a woman’s hip resembled the number 8. When she lifted her child, the little one stayed put on the hip. But now they’ve become like a barrel because of which women cannot carry their children on their hips,” Dindigul Leoni can be heard saying.

Manchester United FC attacked on social media for wishing their Hindu supporters a happy Holi

OpIndia Staff
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Manchester United FC attacked on social media for wishing their Hindu supporters a happy Holi

Manchester United Football Club, one of the greatest football clubs and most popular in the world, wished Hindus a happy Holi on the occasion of the festival of colours. In a social media post, the club wished its Hindu supporters a colourful Holi.

However, a section of users on social media started trolling the Man United for wishing Hindus a happy Holi because it is not only Hindus that celebrate the festival.

There were those who said that Manchester United should be ashamed for the tweet.

The outrage against Manchester United appears bizarre as Holi is a Hindu festival even if it is celebrated by other religious communities. And it is only natural to wish the particular community on the occasion whose festival it is.

For instance, Christmas is celebrated by people of different religions but it would be outlandish to criticise people for wishing Christians a merry Christmas on the 25th of December.

Maha Extortion Case: Retd High Court judge to probe allegations against Anil Deshmukh

OpIndia Staff
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Maha Extortion Case: Retd High Court judge to probe allegations against Anil Deshmukh

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said that allegations levelled against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh would be probed by a retired high court judge.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who is accused of running an extortion racket in Maharashtra by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, has claimed that the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has decided that the allegations put out against him will be investigated by a retired High Court judge.

The assurance from the Maharashtra Chief Minister comes after Deshmukh had written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, urging him to order a probe into the allegations.

“I had demanded the honourable chief minister to order a probe into Param Bir Singh’s allegation against me to clear the air. I will welcome if the honourable chief minister orders probe,” Deshmukh had urged the Chief Minister to investigate allegations of extortion made against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

Param Bir Singh accuses Maha Home Minister Anil Deshmukh of running an extortion racket

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh had written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last week, alleging that the state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had asked controversial cop Sachin Vaze to collect Rs. 100 crore every month from bars, restaurants and other establishments.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh alleged that tainted police officer Sachin Vaze had a meeting with Anil Deshmukh wherein he was asked by the Home Minister to extort money from business owners in Mumbai,

The letter by Param Bir Singh raised several questions regarding the whole Antilia bomb scare case and the death of Mansukh Hiren. Sachin Vaze is currently under arrest for his involvement in the matter. The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier transferred the Mansukh Hiren death case to the NIA.

Param Bir Singh had been transferred and posted as DG Home Guard after the explosive revelations in the Antilia bomb scare case.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has rubbished the allegations, accusing the former Mumbai Police Commissioner of hatching a conspiracy against the Maha Vikas Aghadi government to ‘save himself’.

Punjab: Middle-aged man befriends minor Hindu girl at mazar, lures, kidnaps and rapes her in Amritsar

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Middle-aged man befriends minor Hindu girl at mazar, lures, kidnaps and rapes her in Amritsar

An incident of rape of a minor Hindu girl by a middle-aged person named Mohammad Junaid Hussain has been reported Maqbool Pura, Amritsar. According to Jagran, the victim, who is a 16-year-old girl, used to visit a Panjpeer Dargah near Maal Mandi at GT road. She met 40-year old Mohammad Junaid Hussain there. One day Hussain lured her and took her away on a bike. He kept her in captivity for three days and raped her repeatedly.

FIR lodged on the charges of rape and threatening to kill

An FIR has reportedly been lodged by police against Hussain who is a resident of village Rasoolpur of Phillaur in Jalandhar for the charges of rape and threatening to kill. SHO Sadar police station Inspector Parween Kumar said that the police are on a lookout for the accused to arrest him. Inspector Amandeep Kaur of Maqbool Pura police station said that a medical examination of the victim was conducted at the civil hospital. The medical examination reportedly confirmed rape.

Accused had allegedly promised to marry her

The victims belongs to a labour family. Her family members told that Hussain had gone to her house on March 22. He took her to court and made her sign some blank papers. He allegedly promised the victim that he would marry her. He then took the victim to an unoccupied house. Hussain allegedly held the girl captive in that house for three days and raped her repeatedly.

Hindu Mahasabha condemns the incident

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha state president Raj Kumar Sharma and district president Gulshan Rai said that such incident would not be tolerated. They said that the Hindu Mahasbha has been raising such issues. They said that the organisation would take up the matter if the administration failed to curb such incidents. They promised to provide legal support to the victim family.

International outcry grows louder as Myanmar armed forces suspected of killing over 100, including children, in one day: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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International outcry grows louder as Myanmar armed forces suspected of killing over 100, including children, in one day: All you need to know

On March 27, over 100 people were suspected of being killed in Myanmar by soldiers and police in ongoing attempts to suppress protests since last month’s coup. Notably, the Military in Myanmar was celebrating its annual Armed Forces Day on Saturday while protesters were being killed across the country.

According to Associated Press, Myanmar Now, an online news portal reported that the death toll had reached 114 yesterday. The number was published by an independent researcher who has been compiling the death tolls in over two dozen towns and cities. However, the number could not be confirmed independently by the Associated Press.

Criticism from the world leaders

The killing of the protesters have attracted criticism from world leaders. Several diplomatic missions to Myanmar have released statements that mentioned the killings of civilians, including children, by the armed forces.

Delegation to Myanmar of the European Union said in a tweet that the killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts. They said, “This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour. The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts. The EU stands by the people of Myanmar and calls for an immediate end of violence and the restoration of democracy.”

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, United States, has also condemned the violence. He said “We are horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the people’s lives to serve the few. I send my deepest condolences to the victims’ families. The courageous people of Burma reject the military’s reign of terror.”

Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director, Human Rights Watch, said, “This is a day of suffering and mourning for the #Burmese people, who have paid for the #Tatmadaw’s arrogance and greed with their lives, time and time again.”

The number of deaths is increasing in Myanmar steadily as authorities are becoming more forceful to suppress the protests that erupted after the Army ousted the elected government under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup of February 1 brought back the Military rule that lasted for five decades.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) have confirmed on March 27 that 423 people were killed during the protest crackdown since Military Coup. So far, 2428 people have been detained, and arrest warrants have been issued against 119 people.

‘Threatening’ announcement on State Television

Junta chief Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, during his nationally televised Armed Forces Day speech before thousands of soldiers in Naypyitaw, did not mention anything about the protests. However, he mentioned “terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquillity and social security” and claimed that it was unacceptable.

On March 27, State television MRTV showed an announcement that urged protesters to “learn a lesson from those who have been killed during the demonstrations.” It further added that there is a danger of them being shot in the head or back. The announcement is being seen as a threat as a number of protesters were killed with a shot in the head.

Shots fired outside Cultural centre of US Embassy

On Saturday, shots were fired at American Centre Yangon. In a tweet, the Embassy confirmed that the shots fired and mentioned that there were no injuries. “We are investigating the incident,” they added.

The Military Coup in Myanmar

The Myanmar Army is in control of Myanmar after staging a coup in the early morning hours of February 1. According to reports, the Myanmar military’s intervention came after weeks of continued friction between the country’s military and the civilian government over allegations of irregularities in the 2020 Myanmar General Elections. The Military had ruled the country for five decades before the power was handed over to democratically elected leaders.

West Bengal BJP leader Locket Chatterjee attacked with chemical-laced colours by TMC goons

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal BJP leader Locket Chatterjee attacked with chemical-laced colours by TMC goons

On Saturday, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee was attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in Chunchura in Hooghly district of West Bengal. The incident took place during the first phase of elections in the poll-bound State.

As per reports, Chatterjee has been fielded as the party candidate from the Chunchura Assembly constituency. She had gone to participate in Basant Utsav celebrations at Kalitala ground in Rabindra Nagar in Chunchura. At that time, a group of miscreants threw hazardous chemical-laced colours into her eyes. The BJP has accused Gram Pradhan of Kodalia-2 of orchestrating the attack.

Meanwhile, the BJP has lodged a complaint with the police. Chatterjee’s election agent has also notified the Election Commission about the attack. In a tweet, the State unit of the party said, “The ‘khela’ (game) of hatred, violence & harassment will be put to an end soon. This cowardly ‘khela’ of harassing women is triggered by the fear of defeat!”

While speaking about the incident, Locket Chatterjee said, “I went to them after they called me. They said they wanted to play Holi with me but because of corona, I advised them to only put a bindi with the colour. In the meantime, two men, who were standing in front of the women, said we will definitely put colour on you. I thought they were part of the group.”

Locket Chatterjee narrates her ordeal

She recounted that the men went behind and threw colours, containing coarse substance, into her eyes. However, since she had her spectacles on, only a small trace of the colours entered her eyes. All of a sudden, she felt a burning sensation in her eyes. When she looked up to find the miscreants, the BJP MP saw 3-4 men wearing Trinamool Congress badge in her vicinity. They also hurled choicest of expletives at her.

With one hand over her eye, she somehow managed to make her way out of the large gathering in Kalitala ground. “I cannot imagine that someone can attack a woman like this…The men had warned me that they would put colours on me… The women, who were standing there, could not understand that that the miscreants would throw colours into my eyes from behind…Does anyone attack a woman like this?” Locket Chatterjee narrated as she broke down into tears.

The incident has caused a stir in the Chunchura constituency, which is set to vote during the 4th Phase of the State Legislative elections on April 10. The polls will be conducted in 8 phases. The first phase was conducted on Saturday (March 27) and the votes will be counted on May 2.

Mamata aide, who had served jail time for assassination bid on former Bengal CM, arrested by NIA again: Here is why

Dibakar Dutta
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Mamata aide, who had served jail time for assassination bid on former Bengal CM, arrested by NIA again: Here is why

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Chhatradhar Mahato for his role in the Rajdhani Express hostage case in 2009 on Saturday. He is the ex-convenor of Maoist outfit People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA).

As per reports, Mahato was apprehended from his residence in Lalgarh in Jhargram district in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal. He was arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and will be produced before a court in Kolkata. Mahato, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) groundworker, had been wooing the tribal population in Jangalmahal to vote for the party.

Chhatradhar Mahato is also accused in the brutal murder of a Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker in 2009. Earlier, he had moved the special court and successfully restrained his arrest by the NIA in the murder case. The central agency then filed an appeal with the Calcutta High Court, which directed Mahato to appear before the NIA’s Salt Lake Office at 11 am on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Ex-Maoist turned TMC worker fails to appear before NIA

NIA summoned the former Maoist to appear before it on March 16, March 18 and March 22 but he did not comply. Mahato produced medical documents, claiming toothache, as a justification to not adhere to the summons. However, he was spotted campaigning for TMC during a rally of Mamata Banerjee in Jhargram. The central agency then moved to its special Court, seeking custody of the former Maoist turned TMC worker.

Chhatradhar Mahato served 10 years in prison

After the first phase of polls ended, a team of 40 NIA officers landed at his residence and arrested him. The former Maoist also served a 10-year-sentence for his involvement in bombing cases, landmine blasts and attempt to kill the then West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Following his release in February 2020, he joined the TMC and began campaigning for the party.

2009 Rajdhani Hostage crisis

On October 27, 2009, a mob of 300-400 Maoists blocked a Rajdhani Express, which was travelling from Bhubaneshwar to New Delhi. The incident took place at Banstala railway station in the West Midnapore district. The train was halted for about 5 hours, in the backdrop of the arrest of Chhatradhar Mahato.

A Central Reserve Police Force officer said, “This is not a sudden reaction by agitators, but was very carefully planned with 25 armed Maoists guiding the agitators to block the tracks forcing the Rajdhani to halt at Banstala halt in West Midnapore district.” The Maoists had warned the locals to comply else face punishment in people’s court. They first stopped a goods train, followed by the Rajdhani Express.

They assaulted the train’s driver, broke window panes, and looted the pantry, bedsheets and blankets. After a joint team of 20 West Bengal police personnel and a 150-CRPF contingent intervened, the Maoists fled and the passengers were secured.

Fearing Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal publishers refused to publish Yogi Adityanath’s bestselling biography, says author

Dibakar Dutta
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Fearing Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal publishers refused to publish Yogi Adityanath’s bestselling biography, says author

Author of best-selling book ‘The Monk Who Became Chief Minister’, a biography of UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Shantanu Gupta said that publishers in West Bengal had refused to publish the Bangla version of the same.

He alleged that publishing houses in West Bengal have refrained to publish his book in Bengali due to fears of the Mamata Banerjee administration. This is despite the fact that his bestseller in other Indian languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil. Shantanu Gupta had partnered with activist Debabrata Majhi to get the book translated into Bengali. Majhi had also constituted a team of intellectuals to review the translation, Gupta said.

The manuscript in Bengali was ready to be published by January this year. When Debabrata Majhi approached the mainstream publishers, they expressed their likeness for the book and its prospects. However, they regretted that they could not publish it. Recounting the experience, Shantanu Gupta emphasised, “Publisher after publisher, everyone almost said the same thing. Didi & TMC will not like Yogi Adityanath’s biography to be published in Bengali. Most of them said that they wanted to publish it as it made good business sense. But, they did not want to take any risk.”

Forced by circumstances, activist Debabrata Majhi then published the Bengali translation of Shantanu Gupta’s book through his own organisation ‘Agneeyug.’ Named ‘Sanyasi Theke Mukkyomontri‘, Majhi said that translating the book has been a rewarding experience for him. He has complemented the original author, Shantanu Gupta for his research and providing insights into the life of Yogi Adityanath.

The activist has expressed his disappointment over the fact that mainstream publishers in West Bengal refused to publish it. Debabrata Majhi is the president of SinghaBahini, a socio-religious organization founded by late Tapan Ghosh. He is also the Bjp’s candidate from Chowringhee Vidhan Sabha constituency in West Bengal.

While speaking about the Bengali version of his bestseller, author Shantanu Gupta told Opindia that he is pleased that all Bengali readers can now read his book. He informed that his book consists of four parts, starting from Ajay Singh Bisht from the hills of Uttarakhand, a sadhu in Gorakhnath Mutt to him becoming a Parliamentarian and then a Chief Minister. Gupta regretted that publishers in West Bengal are not free to operate in Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal.

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