Kanishka Panda, Trinamool Congress leader perceived to be close senior leader Suvendu Adhikari, has been expelled from the party. The decision comes at a time when there is much speculation about the future of the senior TMC leader ahead of Assembly Elections in the state.. He had reportedly questioned the party leadership for withdrawing Adhikari’s security.
Trinamool Congress leader Kanishka Panda, close to Suvendu Adhikari, expelled. @Sougata_Mukh with details
Kanishka Panda is the general secretary of the party at East Midnapore. He has been expelled for supposed anti-party activities. The decision to expel him was reportedly made after he lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Suvendu Adhikari resigned as Minister
Rebel TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is considered a number two in the party, submitted his resignation on November 27 as the Transport Minister of West Bengal. Speculations are rife that Adhikari might soon join the BJP giving a major setback to TMC in West Bengal ahead of the State Assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee had later asked his father to rid the party of leaders engaged in anti-party activities.
“I do hereby tender my resignation from my office as Minister. Steps may be taken for its immediate acceptance. I am simultaneously by e-mail this to His Excellency-Governor of West Bengal, for doing the needful at his end. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of the State, which I did all through with a commitment, dedication and sincerity,” Adhikari had said in his letter to the Governor.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Raghav Chadha and Atishi were detained by Delhi police ahead of a planned protest outside union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence. The party had planned a protest on Sunday against the alleged misappropriation of funds by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) under BJP. Chadha, Vice Chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DHB), was detained at the Rajendra Nagar Police station as per the party officials. However, Atishi was later released by Delhi police.
भाजपा शासित MCD के ढाई हजार करोड़ घोटाले की जांच की मांग को लेकर अमित शाह के घर प्रदर्शन करने से पहले ही दिल्ली पुलिस ने AAP विधायकों के बाद पार्षदों को भी गिरफ्तार करना शुरू कर दिया है।
वही भाजपा पार्षदों को मुख्यमंत्री निवास के बाहर धरने देने की खुली छूट दे रखी है। pic.twitter.com/HiH8pDgGpn
AAP did not get permission to protest outside HM residence
AAP has further alleged that Sanjeev Jha, Rituraj Govind, and Kuldeep Kumar were also detained by the police officials of their respective constituencies’ police stations. Delhi Police had earlier rejected the party’s request to hold a demonstration outside Amit Shah’s residence. The permission was denied pertaining Covid-19 situation. The Delhi Police had said, “Any type of gathering is not allowed outside the residence of Hon’ble home minister of India. Your request has been considered but rejected. You are requested to co-operate with the Delhi Police.”
Delhi Police reject AAP leader Raghav Chadha’s request for permission to hold ‘peaceful demonstration outside residence of Union Home Minister today’ against alleged misappropriation of funds by NDMC; says, “Any type of gathering is not allowed outside the residence of Home Min.” pic.twitter.com/LuKvWO2zI6
Chadha in a tweet said that all the money they pay to MCD is swindled by the MCD officials. “Now the Mayor and Councilors of BJP are sitting outside the Chief Minister’s house demanding 13,000 crores more.” He further added that when they try to meet HM Shah they get detained.
भाजपा की MCD को जितना पैसा दो वो सब डकार जाते हैं। अब भाजपा के मेयर और पार्षद मुख्यमंत्री जी के घर के बाहर बैठे हैं कि हमें 13000करोड़ और दो ताकि हम वो भी डकार जाएं। पुलिस उन्हें धरना करने देती है,हम अमित शाह जी से मिलने जाना चाहते हैं तो हमें घर से ही हिरासत में ले लिया जाता है। pic.twitter.com/aeeh7QwUlu
On Saturday, the AAP officials have said that CBI should investigate the alleged misappropriation of Rs.2,500 crore in North Delhi and South Delhi municipal corporations. During the press conference, AAP spokesperson Atishi said that strict action should be taken in the cases. She further added that the doctors, nurses, medical staff, and teachers, and other Covid-19 warriors were not paid due to the alleged misappropriation.
नार्थ MCD कहती है कि हमारे पास डॉक्टर्स, नर्सेज, सफाई कर्मचारी की सैलरी देने का पैसा नहीं है।
पिछले साल तक नार्थ MCD के बजट में उन्हें साउथ MCD से ढाई हज़ार करोड़ रुपए लेने थे, लेकिन इस साल के बजट में वो जीरो हो गया। वो ढाई हज़ार करोड़ किस की जेब में गया है?- @AtishiAAPpic.twitter.com/c9mUFThHTR
She said, “The way the Delhi Police allowed BJP councilors to sit outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, I am sure they will allow us to sit outside the LG’s and the home minister’s residences at 11 AM tomorrow, and also provide us full protection.”
Raghav Chadha claimed detention in a tweet
Chadha tweeted at 11:26 AM and alleged that he had been detained after asking time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said in Hindi,” MCD under BJP has done the biggest scam of Rs.2,500 crore. We had asked time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah but he got me arrested at my residence. Amit Shah ji why do you want to hide curroption by your party with the help of police.?”
मैं चुनोती देता हूँ @raghav_chadha तुमको। जो आरोप तुम MCD को के कर लगा रहे हो उसके सबूत दिल्ली की जनता के सामने रखो अन्यथा माफ़ी माँग़ो। 3 दिन में नहीं किया तो “See u in Court”
Spokesperson and Incharge BJP Delhi Media Relations Harish Khurana quoted Chadha and said that either bring proof of misappropriation of funds in three days or ace legal action in court. “You cannot accuse and run away like before,” he added.
Milo Yiannopoulos, self professed ‘Dangerous F*ggot’, had a meltdown on the social media platform Parler after the United States Supreme Court junked a Texas lawsuit alleging electoral malpractice resulting in Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 US Presidential Elections. Milo floated separatist ideas and suggested war as a possible recourse under current circumstances.
Milo has a meltdown (Credit: @SethAbrahmson)
The political commentator also said that he had “lost everything trying to put Trump in office” and that his “life and career were completely destroyed”. Milo declared that it was not worth it and that he was feeling betrayed. “I will have vengeance,” he said.
Milo has a meltdown (Credit: Seth Abramson)
Milo Yiannopoulos also said that the three Supreme Court Justice appointments made by Donald Trump during his presidency was “pointless”. “We defended a selfish clown for nothing,” he said. He also directed his angst toward the Republican Party, which was perceived as not supporting the US President, and said that it was time to ‘burn it to the ground’. It may be pertinent to mention here that Milo may be calling Trump a ‘selfish clown’ now but he used to call Trump ‘Daddy’ once upon a time.
Image Credit: @SethAbramson
In another post, Milo declared that he was “dedicating the rest of my life to the destruction of the Republic Party.” Milo is not the only person who has floated the ‘secession’ rhetoric recently. Popular pro-Trump voice, Candace Owens, said, “You actually don’t need a bloody war to secede— just an agreement. If you Democrats are so convinced that 75 million people in this country are racist, sexist, xenophobic, fascist red necks, explain to me why the concept of their secession so infuriates you?”
Not everyone has given up, however. Fringe elements in American political discourse such as Nicholas Fuentes and others such as Proud Boys are continuing to organize to ‘Stop The Steal’.
Today’s pro-Trump rally in DC has kicked off with a guy who rewrote Folsom Prison Blues to be about Parler. pic.twitter.com/6KHvESKPRz
In an unusual turn of events, another pro-Trump fringe group ‘Groypers’ started heckling pro-Trump Drag Queen ‘Lady MAGA’ after spotting her at the rally.
Tension at the MAGA rally as far-right “groypers” spot pro-Trump drag queen “Lady MAGA” and start heckling. pic.twitter.com/BW90snSmAX
Thus, quite clearly, Trump supporters are taking the defeat just about as well as Hillary supporters back in 2016. However, the gut-wrenching visuals of cacophonic meltdown that was visible back then is absent.
Who is Milo Yiannopoulos?
Milo is a controversial British political commentator who revels in being an agent provocateur. He was banned permanently from Twitter in 2016 for targeted harassment. He was banned permanently on Facebook three years later. He was widely described an ‘alt-right’ figure although he has never publicly associated himself with the group. He rose to significant fame as a homosexual man who derided the ‘politically correct’ culture and was invited to speak at college campuses.
His career was generally on the up before video clips emerged where he could been defending sexual relationships between boys as young as 13 and older men. “And I think particularly in the gay world, and outside the Catholic Church — if that’s where some of you want to go with this — I think in the gay world some of the most important, enriching and incredibly life-affirming, important shaping relationships very often between younger boys and older men,” he said in a very problematic comment, adding that “They can be hugely positive experiences.”
Defending himself, Milo said, “I did say that there are relationships between younger men and older men that can help a young gay man escape from a lack of support or understanding at home. That’s perfectly true and every gay man knows it. But I was not talking about anything illegal and I was not referring to prepubescent boys.” He stated further, “Anyone who suggests I turn a blind eye to illegal activity or to the abuse of minors is unequivocally wrong … To repeat: I do not support pedophilia. It is a disgusting crime of which I have personally been a victim.”
Nevertheless, the extremely controversial comments caused a huge uproar and he was dropped by his ‘allies’ like a hot potato. The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) rescinded their invitation for him to speak at their event, Milo had to resign from Breitbart although he insisted that he was doing it on his own so that the controversy does not distract the media outlet from ‘important reporting’ and the contract to publish his autobiography with Simon & Schuster was cancelled.
Singer, musician Lucky Ali broke into his hit number ‘O Sanam’ on request of audience at Arambol, Goa and sent them on a nostalgic trip. Video of Ali singing the song was shared by Dayanand Kamble, Maharashtra Information Centre Deputy Director on Twitter.
Singer #LuckyAli, at Arambol in North Goa after listening to the musical evening was requested for a song and he sang impromptu for all present . Wonderful Singing pic.twitter.com/4epwQtV9Rs
Earlier in November, Lucky Ali had triggered nostalgia with his stunning performance on the same song during a live session. The song ‘O Sanam’, which was released in 1996 pulls the strings of every quintessential 90s kids’ hearts.
In a gruesome incident, a BJP booth president named Saikat Bhawal was bludgeoned to death, allegedly by Trinamool (TMC) goons on Saturday evening. The incident took place during a public outreach programme of the BJP in Halishahar in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
Citing BJP sources, ABP Ananda reported that Saikat had gone to meet people, as a part of BJP’s public outreach programme, when he was assaulted by Trinamool Congress goons. The BJP has alleged that he was then stabbed by sharp weapons.
The BJP booth President was then rushed to Kalyani Medical College where he was declared dead on arrival. Several other BJP workers were injured in the attack. The area, where the incident took place, has remained tense ever since the incident. No accused has been arrested so far.
(Video Courtesy: Youtube/ABP News)
BJP leaders condemn killing of Saikat Bhawal
While taking to Twitter, State BJP chief Dilip Ghosh sighed, “The brutal death of Saikat Bhawal at Halishahar (North 24 Parganas) is a sign of how bloody the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections are going to be.” He added that Saikat was murdered publicly by TMC thugs while 8 other individuals were injured.
He had also said that the party was ensuring the release of notorious criminals from prison so as to perpetrate such barbaric attacks on the Opposition parties. “The credibility of the police has diminished”, he reiterated.
The brutal death of Saikat Bhawal at Halishahar (North 24 Parganas) is a sign of how bloody the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections are going to be. This afternoon, the BJP worker was publicly beaten to death by TMC thugs. Eight others were seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/vlUrNJKNW7
BJP MP from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, stated that he would not let down the BJP workers, who are witnessing the atrocities committed by Trinamool Congress leaders, in the State of West Bengal. “Yesterday, another young Karyakarta Saikat Bhawat lost his life. Bamboozled Mamata Banerjee has lost her sense and has become (a) threat to the integrity of India.”
BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya tweeted, “The political terrorism of TMC is underway in West Bengal. In ward no. 6 and 9 of Halishahar, TMC goons have attacked and injured 6 BJP workers. One worker, Saikat Bhawal has lost his life and another worker, Khalani Das is in critical condition.”
Trinamool Congress dubs incident as personal rivalry
While speaking to ABP Ananda, Trinamool Congress leader Subodh Adhikari said, “I think this is a case of personal rivalry. They (BJP) are trying to give it a political angle. Politics has nothing to do with his death.” Another party leader, Partha Bhowmik has blamed the BJP for orchestrating attacks on its own party workers.
Convoy of senior BJP leaders attacked by TMC goons
The convoy of JP Nadda and Kailash Vijayvargiya were attacked when they were en route Diamond Harbour on Thursday. ‘Protesters’ gathered on the streets, attempted to block the road to stop Nadda’s convoy from passing and also pelted stones at the vehicle. Videos had surfaced where protestors carrying Trinamool Congress flags were seen throwing stones and bricks at Kailash Vijayvargiya’s car, while the state police stand like mute spectators.
Sharing the same video which showed cracked windshields and pieces of bricks hurled at the car he was travelling in, Vijayvargiya called the attack an abject failure of the WB police working at the behest of Mamata Banerjee government. “In front of the police, near Siracol Bus Stand, the TMC goons hit our workers and threw stones at my car”, wrote Vijayvargiya, furthering that the Bengal police were informed about JP Nadda’s program in advance, still they failed to provide adequate security to the party president.
The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has lost the power in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) after ruling the council for 17 years since its inception. Although the BPF emerged as the single largest party, it could not touch the halfway mark, making way for its ally in state government BJP to grab power with its rival Bodo party United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL).
The BTC elections had taken place in two phases on 7th and 10th December, and the votes were counted on 12th December. Out of total 40 seats in the council, BPF managed 17 seats, why UPPL won 12 and BJP won 9 seats. Congress won only one seat in the elections.
BPF is a member of NDA, and is part of the BJP led government in the state with three cabinet ministers. But BJP had fought against BPF in the elections, with NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma leading the campaign.
In the primarily 3-corner contest, BPF still managed to win 17 seats despite anti-incumbency and allegations of corruption due to split in anti-BPF vote between BJP and UPPL. But both the parties still have 21 seats together, and they are set to form the next government in the autonomous council, with UPPL chief Promod Boro expected to become the Chief of the Executive Committee of the BTC.
However, current chief Hagrama Mohilary is still expecting to retain power, claiming that their alliance with BJP has not ended, and BPF will form the Executive Committee with the support of BJP. He has appealed to the BJP to not break the alliance, and requested BJP to help BPF in forming the next council. But both the BJP and UPPL leaders have already started preliminary talks on forming an alliance, and it is unlikely that BJP will go back to BPF. However, nothing has been finalised yet.
BJP led by Himanta Biswa Sarma had launched a massive attack on ruling BPF during the election campaign, and had also said that their alliance with BPF will also not be renewed for the assembly elections next year.
BJP had alleged massive corruption in the council. Sarma had alleged that money sent from centre and state were pocketed by the council members. BJP had also criticised the move of Hagrama Mohilary led council to scrap elections in Panchayats and urban bodies in the region. Instead of elected Panchayats, the villages in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) have Village Council Development Committees (VCDC) formed by nominated members. Suspension of land registration in BTR had also came under criticism from both BJP and UPPL.
The Bodoland Territorial Council, and autonomous council under the sixth schedule of the constitution, was formed in 2003, marking the end of both violent and non-violent movements by Bodo organisations demanding a separate state for the Bodo tribe called Bodoland. Hagrama Mohilary is heading the council since its inception.
The term of the last Council ended in April this year, and the elections were scheduled to take place on 4th April. But when campaigning for the election was going on, the election was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, governor’s rule was impose in the region.
The Bodoland Territorial Region consists of four districts on Western Assam on the north bank, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel was found going on a misogynist rant and using derogatory language for BJP MP Saroj Pandey. While mentioning Soowa/Sua Dance Festival in Durg stadium two years ago for a world record, Baghel said that Pandey was not making world record but was dancing with then-CM Raman Singh and BJP leader Dharamlal Kaushik.
CM Baghel was in Chirmiri on Saturday. When he was asked about a statement made by Saroj Pandey, he got irked and asked the reporter why journalists keep asking questions about the statements made by others. He then used derogatory language for the MP and said that during the Soowa Dance festival in 2017, she was not there for the world record but to dance with the then-CM Raman Singh.
Saroj Pandey’s statement that irked Baghel
On December 10, Saroj Pandey has said that the government had spent two years playing and dancing instead of doing any real work. She further added that the state’s condition is deteriorating, and the CM has failed to act in the way he should act to make things right. She said that the farmers are dying, and the government is busy spending money on festivals.
Pandey said she had questioned CM’s term
After learning about Baghel’s statement, Pandey has retaliated and said that her statement was about CM’s two-year term. She had asked the question while keeping the future of the people of Chhattisgarh in mind. She said that it is essential to respect everyone’s feelings, and he has the right to express himself in politics. However, it would be better if he uses decent language.
Former Minister Rajesh Moonat said that CM Baghel’s statement reflects his corrupt mindset. Harshita Pandey, the former chairperson of the Women’s Commission, also denounced his statement and said that CM should be careful with his words.
Long history of war-of-words between Pandey and Baghel
There is a long history of war-of-words between Saroj Pandey and CM Baghel. In July this year, Pandey had sent Rakhi to Baghel and demanded a ban on liquor in the state. She said, “I hope that you will fulfil your promise that you made to the mothers and sisters in the state and ban liquor.”
बहन, मैं आपसे एक आग्रह और करता हूँ कि एक राखी अपने भाई नरेंद्र मोदी जी को भी भेज दें और उनसे भी वादा करवाएँ कि देशवासियों से उनके द्वारा किए गये प्रत्येक वादे को पूरा कर सकें।
मुझे उम्मीद है कि मेरी बहन में इतनी हिम्मत तो है कि वो अपनी पार्टी के नेता को एक राखी भेज सकेगी।
In the reply, he said that his government is working on banning liquor in the state. He further said that for 15 years, CM Raman Singh had broken his promise of banning alcohol and said that she should send Rakhi to her party’s leaders too, reminding them to fulfill their promise.
A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered a credit card, registered under the name of a Pakistani national, from the premises of Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik, the central investigative agency has now summoned his youngest son Purvesh Sarnaik.
As per reports, Purvesh has been asked to appear before the ED on Monday to record his statement in a high-profile money laundering case involving a private security firm named Tops Grup. Earlier, the central investigative agency had questioned the eldest son of Pratap Sarnaik, Vihang, on November 24 in connection to the case.
Pratap Sarnaik, the chairman of Vihang Group Of Companies, a major player in the real estate industry in Thane region, represents Ovala-Majiwada in the state assembly. He is also the spokesperson of Shiv Sena in Mira-Bhayander, a city in Thane district. Sarnaik is also known for holding considerable clout in the Thane region and for his long rivalry with NCP’s Jitendra Awhad, who is the currently a cabinet minister in the Thackeray government.
ED raids premises in connection to a money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate had last month raided the residences and official premises of the Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik. The search was conducted at 10 places across Mumbai and Thane with the links to the aforementioned Shiv Sena leader. The raids were carried out reportedly in connection with a money laundering case involving Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik.
Yesterday, it was reported that a credit card registered under the name of a Pakistani national is recovered from the premises of the Shiv Sena legislator. The Pakistani credit card was registered on the address of Pratap Sarnaik.
Pratap Sarnaik and his opposition to dissent
Sarnaik had recently hogged the limelight after he had threatened to break actor Kangana Ranaut’s nose after she likened Mumbai to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir for allowing the streets of the city to be defaced by Azadi graffiti.
Sarnaik has also been vocal against the opposition in Maharashtra. He had vigorously defended the allegations made against Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray and also asked for a drug probe against Kangana Ranaut for her earlier comment on rampancy of drug consumption in Bollywood. Sarnaik also brought in privilege motions against Kangana Ranaut and Arnab Goswami in the previous session of the Assembly.
On Friday, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two men, identified as Akram and Asif, a village under Budhana Police station, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. According to the reports, the girl went missing for a few hours, after which the family started looking for her. They found the girl in an unconscious and bleeding state on the roof of a nearby house.
#Muzaffarnagar – मुजफ्फरनगर में मासूम के साथ गैंगरेप, 6 वर्ष की बच्ची से 2 युवकों ने किया रेप, बच्ची को टॉफी का लालच देकर गैंगरेप, पुलिस ने मासूम बच्ची को अस्पताल भेजा, गैंगरेप का 1 आरोपी पुलिस ने किया अरेस्ट, बुढ़ाना कोतवाली क्षेत्र का मामला.
The victim’s father had filed a complaint at Budhana Police Station in which he has alleged that the accused lured the minor on the pretext of giving her candies and took her to a nearby house. The two accused raped her on the roof of the house. The girl started screaming and then lost consciousness after which the accused ran from the scene. When the family heard the screams, they rushed to the house and found the girl in a pool of blood. They immediately informed the police and rushed her to the hospital.
Case under POCSO act registered
Circle Officer (CO) Girija Shanker Tripathi has said that that a case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 376D (gang rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
अवगत कराना है कि थाना बुढाना पुलिस द्वारा CN-526/20 US-376D IPC व 5M/6 POCSO ACT बनाम 02 नामजद अभियुक्तों के विरुद्ध पंजीकृत किया गया। दोनों अभियुक्तों को गिरफ्तार किया जा चुका है। अन्य विधिक कार्यवाही प्रचलित है।
After receiving the complaint, the police raided the residence of the accused but could not find them. A team was formed to find them. Later, the accused were arrested by the police from Garhi Sakhavatpur stand on Merrut-Karnal highway. Investigating officer M S Gill said that the accused had been sent to jail and the victim, who is in critical condition, is getting treatment at the district hospital.
Continuing its witch-hunt against Republic Media Network, the Mumbai Police on Sunday arrested CEO Vikas Khanchandani from his home in connection with the alleged “Fake TRP scam” case.
According to the reports, the Mumbai Police on Sunday barged into the residence of Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani to arbitrarily arrest him in the ‘Fake TRP case’. The arrest of Khanchandani comes just a month after the Mumbai Police had arrested and assaulted Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami in another 2018 suicide case.
The arrest of Republic TV CEO interestingly comes just a day ahead of his interim bail hearing, that was scheduled to be heard on Monday.
The Chief Executive Officer of Republic TV & Republic Bharat Vikas Khanchandani and its Chief Financial Officer Sundaram moved Sessions Court, Mumbai on Thursday seeking anticipatory bail in the fake TRP scam case registered by the Mumbai police.
Earlier, Republic TV has alleged that Ghanshyam Singh, assistant vice president of Distribution at the channel, was brutally tortured by the Mumbai Police while he was in their custody.
Republic makes national appeal to courts
Republic TV on Sunday made a national appeal to the courts to intervene to stop attacks on the independent news organisation.
Republic Chief Arnab Goswami said that the channel is going to move the Supreme Court but will reach out to High Court first. The channel is moving the Holiday Bench for bail. Earlier, Republic TV’s Ghanshyam Singh was made to spend 26 days in prison where he was allegedly tortured by the Mumbai Police. Prior to that, Arnab Goswami was also arrested by the Mumbai Police in Anvay Naik death case.
Fake TRP scam
On the 8th of October, Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh held a press conference where he categorically stated that Mumbai police have been alerted about a new racket involving false television rating points (TRP).
Param Bir Singh had specifically mentioned that Hansa Research had filed a complaint with the police. Interestingly, in this FIR that was filed by Hansa Research, Republic TV was not mentioned even once. The channel that was mentioned several times was India Today.
