VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html NEW DELHI: An Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into political consultancy firm I-PAC has snowballed into a major political flashpoint in poll-bound West Bengal, placing it at the centre of a fierce battle between Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the BJP-led Centre. What began as a money-laundering investigation has now expanded into a wider confrontation involving raids, arrests, summons and the “green file” episode.From ED raids to political confrontationThe ED raid turned into a political flashpoint when chief minster Mamata Banerjee stepped into the ongoing investigation and allegedly intervened in the proceedings by removing key evidence, according to the agency. Watch I-PAC Halting Bengal Operations Spark Political Row; TMC Denies Claims The ED had carried out searches at multiple locations, including Kolkata and Delhi, as part of a probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to I-PAC.The agency has maintained that the action is part of a routine investigation and not politically motivated, saying that the search is evidence-based and not targeted at any political establishment, that no party office has been searched, and that it is not linked to any elections.The TMC, however, has strongly pushed back, accusing central agencies of targeting the party ahead of elections and turning the investigation into a political confrontation.The ‘green file’ flashpointThe dramatic intervention by Mamata came, when she arrived at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain during the ED raid.According to the agency, she, along with aides and police personnel, “forcibly removed physical documents and electronic evidence” and later went to the I-PAC office in Salt Lake, where similar actions were alleged.Visuals of Mamata carrying what came to be known as the “green file” sparked a nationwide debate. The ED said her actions caused obstruction in proceedings conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while the TMC defended her move, claiming the raids were aimed at accessing sensitive political material.However, Mamata alleged that central agencies seized sensitive party material, including hard disks, candidate lists and strategy documents, and accused Amit Shah of misusing investigative bodies.“Is it the duty of the ED or Amit Shah to take away a party’s hard disks and candidate list? The home minister, who cannot protect the country, is taking away all my party documents,” Banerjee said while speaking to reporters.Issuing a direct challenge, the CM dared the BJP leadership to take her on politically. “If Amit Shah wants Bengal, then come and fight democratically and win. People should know what kind of operation was carried out. At 6:00 am they arrived and seized party data, laptops, strategies and mobile phones. Their forensic experts copied all the data. I believe this is a crime,” she said.BJP fires backBJP leaders have launched a sharp attack on Mamata Banerjee over the I-PAC controversy, accusing her of interfering in the ED probe and shielding wrongdoing.BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal alleged that the chief minister was “siding with the mafias” and described I-PAC as “a very controversial company.” He claimed, “When a raid takes place, the chief minister herself goes there and steals the documents… I-PAC’s job is to work with mafias, taking money from them to form and topple governments.” He further demanded that the ED “should register an FIR against Mamata Banerjee.”Echoing similar charges, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Banerjee “obstructed official work” during the ED operation. “Perhaps for the first time in India, a chief minister entered during a raid and attempted to remove evidence,” he alleged, adding that she “pushed everyone aside and collected physical and electronic evidence,” which, according to him, “shows that she has a lot to hide.”Coal scam and hawala linkThe investigation is rooted in a 2020 CBI case related to an alleged coal smuggling syndicate led by Anup Majhi alias Lala, involving illegal mining in parts of West Bengal. The ED alleges that proceeds from this operation were routed through hawala channels to Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd, the registered entity of I-PAC.The agency said the raids were linked to individuals who generated proceeds from coal smuggling and alleged that I-PAC is one of the entities linked to hawala money. Investigators claim that a hawala operator facilitated transactions worth tens of crores of rupees to the firm.Arrests and widening probeThe case intensified in April when the ED arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in connection with the money-laundering probe. He was produced before a Delhi court, which recorded that the agency complied with statutory requirements under the PMLA and that relevant documents and grounds of arrest were provided.The probe has continued to expand, with director Rishi Raj Singh summoned for questioning, and repeated scrutiny of co-founder Pratik Jain. The ED has also summoned Jain’s wife and brother, stating that their business links are under examination.From poll strategist to political flashpointPoll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor founded the I-PAC, that emerged as major political consultancy working with multiple parties across India.It has been closely associated with the TMC in West Bengal and has played a key role in election strategy.Although founder Prashant Kishor exited from IPAC after West Bengal elections in 2021 and months after launched his own political outfit, Jan Suraaj, the firm continues to be active in key electoral states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.Election timing and political stakesThe timing of the raids and arrests, ahead of crucial elections, has intensified the political battle. The TMC has framed the investigation as an attempt to disrupt its campaign machinery, while the BJP has used the probe to question the ruling party’s transparency.Mamata also led a protest rally in Kolkata against the ED action, underlining how central the issue has become in the state’s political narrative.Beyond I-PAC: A larger political battleThe controversy has grown beyond a financial probe into a broader political conflict involving allegations of corruption, claims of political vendetta, and tensions between the state and the Centre.With raids, arrests and the “green file” episode dominating headlines, I-PAC has become a key flashpoint in West Bengal politics, one that is likely to shape narratives and voter perception in the run-up to elections.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? 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In the coming days, a fresh impeachment notice with additional charges will be brought,” O’Brien told reporters at a press conference in Kolkata.Earlier this month, both Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, rejected the opposition’s notice seeking the removal of Kumar, who has repeatedly been accused of favouring the ruling BJP.The build-up to the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal—where the TMC has been in power since 2011 and will seek a fourth consecutive term—has been particularly acrimonious, with tensions over issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s (EC) removal of IAS and IPS officers in the state. As the Model Code of Conduct is currently in force, the EC is currently overseeing the state machinery.The earlier motion to remove Kumar was the first such move against a sitting CEC.152 of West Bengal’s 294 assembly seats will vote on Thursday, while the remaining 142 constituencies will go to polls on April 29. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.’BJP hatching larger conspiracy ahead of second phase of polls’Meanwhile, O’Brien further alleged that the BJP, which is the ruling party at the Centre and the principal opposition in the state, is hatching a “larger conspiracy” ahead of the second phase.“We have credible information that a meeting has been called by the home minister with the heads of the CBI, ED and NIA. In the next 100 to 150 hours, some serious or devious action has been planned before the second phase of the polls,” he claimed.The Rajya Sabha member added that such developments were likely in districts of south Bengal.O’Brien also remarked that Union home minister Amit Shah is acting like a “full-time BJP worker.” Shah, the BJP’s chief strategist and a former party president, had earlier said he would spend 15 days in the state.The TMC MP also accused the BJP of deploying “disproportionate force” to defeat chief minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee.“To defeat a woman, you need 18 cabinet ministers, the prime minister, the home minister, the defence minister, several chief ministers, central agencies, and thousands of security personnel,” he stated.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? 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Dasun Shanaka handed one-year ban after IPL switch ‘Will take harsh disciplinary action’: Netanyahu condemns IDF soldier over damage to Jesus statue in Lebanon ‘A win-win for both nations!’ Three-day India-US trade talks to begin this week JEE Mains 2026 result released for Session 2 at jeemain.nta.nic.in: Direct link to download scorecards here Drones, robots & precision fire: How Ukraine is defying Russian juggernaut, reinventing modern warfare Ex-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court’s Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Monday refused to recuse herself from hearing the matter involving former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, observing that “impartiality is a presumption in favour of a judge” and that it’s not a “legal requirement but an ethical one”.Justice Sharma said “a politician cannot be permitted to cross the boundary and cannot judge judicial competence”.”Floodgates of court cannot be opened by allowing a litigant to plant seeds of distrust solely on this basis,” she was quoted as saying by Live Law.She said that when person seeks recusal, that presumption has to be rebutted by litigant, further noting that “mere apprehension or personal perception of litigant is not enough”.Kejriwal had appeared in person before the court seeking recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing a CBI petition challenging his discharge in the liquor policy case.In the application, Kejriwal claimed that there was a grave, bona fide, and reasonable apprehension that the hearing in the matter before her would not be impartial and neutral.His plea stated that she has heard multiple cases arising from the CBI FIR, including Kejriwal’s petition against his arrest, and never given relief to any of the accused.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? 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That is the repeated line from workers and staff at the Babri Masjid site in Beldanga, Murshidabad. Their trepidation is not hard to understand. The leaked tape controversy around former TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has already disrupted the trajectory of his newly formed party, AJUP, with AIMIM pulling out of the alliance. Kabir is the key force behind the plan to build a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, a project that has drawn attention not just nationally, but even across the border. On the ground, however, construction is moving at a slow, uneven pace, with most people saying it may pick up only after the election.The larger question remains unanswered. Is the future of the Babri Masjid tied to Humayun Kabir’s own electoral fortunes? A purported clip released by Trinamool allegedly showed Kabir discussing a Rs 1,000 crore deal with the BJP and talking about misleading Muslim voters. The clip has not been independently verified. Kabir first dismissed it as fake and AI-generated. Later, he changed tack, saying it was real but selectively edited from a longer conversation. Whether his political and financial support system remains intact may become clear only after the results. Kabir is contesting from two nearby seats, Rejinagar and Naoda. To complete a project like this, he would need considerable political leverage and financial heft, especially after Union home minister Amit Shah said no Babri Masjid would be allowed to come up in Bengal if the BJP came to power. Abhishek Banerjee, from the other side, has attacked Kabir as someone effectively helping the BJP in the district. That leaves Kabir politically squeezed from both sides. Watch Babri Masjid Ground Report: Slow Construction In Murshidabad’s Beldanga As Politics Stays Quiet Those political cross-currents are visible in the sombre mood at the site. The foundation ceremony was held on December 6 last year, the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The symbolism was unmistakable. At the time, there was visible excitement, with donations reportedly pouring in and people arriving with bricks for construction. Kabir had said the structure would be modelled on the Babri Masjid, with a larger complex that would also include a hospital and a guest house. A visit to the site now shows bricks still stacked and waiting to be used. Around it, a small Babri economy has taken shape. Mugs are being printed, T-shirts are being sold, and local businesses have started borrowing the Babri name.Locals say construction has slowed because of the heat and the election. Even so, people continue to come in the evenings, some out of curiosity, some out of sympathy, and some perhaps because they want to witness a site whose meaning goes well beyond its boundary wall.Humayun Kabir is no fringe figure in Murshidabad. He began in the Congress, moved to Trinamool, was expelled, joined the BJP, lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Murshidabad, returned to Trinamool, and was suspended again in December 2025 after pushing the Babri Masjid project. Since then, he has launched AJUP.Construction formally began in February. For now, the project depends on donations, making the timeline uncertain. Around two dozen workers are currently on site. The project is spread across around 11 bighas. Boundary walls are being built. Masons have been at work for the past few weeks, while shuttering began earlier. Food and lodging are arranged locally. Depending on the payment system, workers put in nine or twelve hours a day. Some associated with the site say the mosque could be completed in three years. Others are less specific. Nothing about the site suggests immediate completion.Commerce, meanwhile, has moved faster than construction. White mugs and T-shirts are being brought from Kolkata and printed locally with Babri branding. Prices are modest. These are not premium souvenirs, but tokens for visitors who want to carry something back. One local shopkeeper says footfall is lower now than it was earlier. Still, the existence of this small merchandise economy is telling. Before the mosque is complete, the market has already recognised its emotional and symbolic value.After the votes are counted, Beldanga will reveal what this moment really was. A project of faith, a piece of political theatre, or a gamble that outgrew its maker. For now, the bricks remain stacked, the work remains slow, and the silence around the site says more than the slogans around it. In Murshidabad, the Babri Masjid is still under construction. The politics around it is not.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite Device123PhotostoriesJitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardomWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake Apr 20, 2026, 19:12 IST Asha Bhosle’s ashes immersed in the Ganga by her family, granddaughter Zanai Bhosle breaks down ‘No grounds to review’: Supreme Court rejects Umar Khalid’s plea against denial of bail in Delhi riots case NEW DELHI: TMC MP Mahua Moitra slammed UP CM Yogi Adityanath for misattributing a famous quote, originally said by Subhas Chandra Bose, to Swami Vivekananda at a West Bengal rally on Monday. Calling him a “bulldozer buddhi”, Mahua asked him to get his “facts right”.”Hello Bulldozer Buddhi @myogiadityanath get your facts right. Netaji Subhash Bose said “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. Swami Vivekananda did NOT say it. Please go back to drinking Fanta in UP and leave Bengal alone. You’re a joke,” the TMC MP said in a post on X.The official handle of TMC shared video of the UP CM where he can be heard misattributing the quote ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom’ to Swami Vivekananda. The party said that the gaffe exposed BJP’s “shocking ignorance and contempt for Bengal’s history.””Yogi Adityanath has once again exposed @BJP4India’s shocking ignorance and contempt for Bengal’s history. He attributed the immortal line “Give me blood and I will give you freedom” to Swami Vivekananda. It was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Two completely different icons. Two completely different legacies. Both sons of Bengal. Both insulted in a single sentence by one man,” the party’s X handle said.”They cannot tell Swami Vivekananda apart from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. They misattribute quotes. They garland Swami Vivekananda’s statue while calling him Netaji. And yet these same people have the audacity to dream of building ‘Sonar Bangla’. The depth of their ignorance is only matched by their arrogance,” it said.West Bengal will hold its assembly elections in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.The state has a total of 294 assembly constituencies, and a party needs at least 148 seats to form a majority.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite Device123PhotostoriesJitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardomWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake Marc Benioff shares ‘stories’ of Salesforce AI Agentforce ‘helping’ companies ‘resolve issues’ without any human interaction to prove that those saying software is dead are wrong ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons’: Louisiana dad Shamar Elkins’ chilling words to his step-father weeks before killing children West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya (File photo/ANI) Are you a film buff? The question seems to catch Samik Bhattacharya slightly off guard. He had been listing the celebrities set to campaign for the BJP in West Bengal. But he ends up giving an answer that feels distinctly Bengali. He says he is more comfortable in theatre and, in less demanding times, was an active participant too.For someone who says he appreciates poetry and has a self-confessed weakness for Shakti Chattopadhyay, that love for theatre feels like a natural corollary. In that sense, the West Bengal BJP president might seem more at ease in a freewheeling adda in a Kolkata by-lane with intellectuals of opposing political beliefs than some of his party colleagues.That he is trying to build from Bengal’s past to imagine its future is evident in the way he talks about a Bengal model of development instead of a bulldozer model, rooted in the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Bidhan Chandra Roy, the state’s first chief minister after Independence and one of the tallest Congress leaders Bengal has produced. That instinct to extend courtesy to opponents continues even when he speaks of present rivals. He describes Abhishek Banerjee as smart and articulate, an assessment that carries respect even across political lines.But when it comes to political groundwork, Samik is unrelenting. In a no-frills apartment in Salt Lake, where he is currently based for the election, he patiently listens to streams of party workers arriving to fine-tune strategy, seek reinforcements or ask for solutions. Asked to compare the BJP’s ground game with the Trinamool Congress’s battle-hardened electoral machinery, he pauses. Then he says plans are in place, and points to 2011, when the TMC swept the Left out of power despite organisational disadvantages of its own.He leans on the BJP slogan that this election is Janata versus Mamata and claims the TMC will be wiped out in North Bengal, from Darjeeling to Malda. Yet when asked how the BJP reconciles with sharing political space with figures like Bimal Gurung, who openly championed Gorkhaland, the careful political persona comes through. He says the people of the hills have been historically deprived, deceived and culturally ridiculed. Their grievances, he says, must be addressed, but he rules out any partition of West Bengal.Bhattacharya is candid in admitting that the BJP has historically performed poorly in the old Kolkata Presidency region, where 109 seats are at stake. But he insists the party will do much better this time, with even Mamata’s Bhowanipore shaping up, in his telling, as a tough contest. He goes so far as to suggest that Mamata Banerjee may have already filed her last nomination. On Junglemahal, another BJP bright spot in 2021, he says the party has learnt from its setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He predicts a comfortable BJP majority, claiming the party could cross 175 seats. The mood for change, he says, is building across the state.Beneath the confidence lies a larger argument about Bengal itself. This election, he suggests, could alter the state’s political narrative. Referring to Ashoknagar, where oil was discovered but development has moved slowly, he alleges that such projects were stalled because of vendetta politics. It is a familiar BJP charge against the Trinamool, but he uses it to make a broader point that Bengal has been denied not just better governance, but momentum itself.On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Bhattacharya sounds dissatisfied, even aggrieved. He says he is unhappy with the process surrounding the deletion of names. He alleges that the TMC put pressure on poll officials and even judicial officers. He also claims that in some places Form 7 applications were burnt while the police remained silent spectators. By criticising the process, the leader also appears to be creating an outlet for the anger building among some BJP support bases, including Matuas, over large-scale deletions. For him, the priorities of a future BJP government are simple: improve law and order, restore democracy and re-establish constitutional norms.On infiltration, he enters more familiar BJP territory. He calls it an “international conspiracy” and, when pressed about the role of the BSF under the Union home ministry, says greater public awareness is needed to stop it. Yet even there, he adds a careful caveat that no Indian Muslim’s name, he says, should be cut from the electoral rolls. It is an attempt to hold together the BJP’s harder border politics with some degree of reassurance against blanket exclusion.He is pragmatic on welfare too, despite recognising the fiscal strain on a cash-strapped state like West Bengal. Lakshmir Bhandar, he says, would not be removed if the BJP came to power. Instead, it would be doubled and rebranded as Annapurna Bhandar.He is equally dismissive of the claim that fish would disappear from Bengali plates under BJP rule. If the BJP wins, he jokes, they would send fish to the chief minister. He strikes a similar note when asked about Mamata Banerjee’s temple politics, including the Jagannath temple in Digha and similar announcements in Siliguri. Asked whether Mamata is chasing the BJP’s Hindu vote bank, Samik replies with humour that even the gods are angry with the chief minister.On candidate changes, the ticket given to tainted leaders like Rakesh Singh, and the exclusion of Ashok Lahiri, he is unfazed. These are internal decisions, he says, and they will not alter the larger outcome.Taken together, Bhattacharya’s pitch is both blunt and layered. He is clear that BJPs governance model would be firmer, though still framed within the Constitution, and that sectors such as education and health would need rebuilding. He has been with the BJP for more than four decades, from a time when people had to be told the difference between the Janata Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party. From there to what many see as the BJP’s best chance yet of taking power in Bengal, this is close to a full-circle moment for him. While many pollsters believe the BJP may win around 120 seats in the 294-member Assembly, Samik points to Haryana and Delhi, where the party outperformed pre-poll expectations, and argues that a final Modi-Shah push will take it past the halfway mark.Samik is not a mass crowd-puller like Suvendu Adhikari, nor an organisational force in the mould of Dilip Ghosh. What he does bring is a language of civility, visible in the ease with which he quotes Tagore while parrying uncomfortable questions. In his writings, Samik does not concede Bengal’s literary and civilisational icons to the liberal or Left imagination. He wants to enter that space and rearrange it, arguing that cultural legitimacy and nationalist politics need not exist in separate worlds. He is presenting himself as a Bengali conservative who sounds culturally literate, historically grounded and socially recognisable.Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has long tried to paint the BJP as bohiragato zamindars, outsiders seeking to reset Bengal’s politics and culture. With Samik at the helm, the BJP will hope that line of attack loses some force. In Bengal, the party has often appeared culturally external, politically forceful but emotionally distant. Whether Samik can help soften that perception may, in the end, shape how far the BJP can go in challenging Mamata Banerjee.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In March123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake PSPCL recruitment 2026: Registration begins for 622 JE posts; check eligibility and direct link to apply ‘Blockade of Iran ports hurdle to peace talks’: Pak army chief Asim Munir tells Trump; how US prez reacted Florida student arrested after jokingly asking Netanyahu to ‘drop bombs’ on her college in WhatsApp group Supreme Court NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a declaration that freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose be recognised as the country’s “national son.”The petitioner had also sought directions to declare that Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) secured India’s independence, and to mark October 21 (INA foundation day) and January 23 (his birth anniversary) as national days.A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant noted that a similar plea filed earlier had already been dismissed by the top court. The bench observed that such matters fall outside the scope of judicial review and can be taken up with the appropriate authority. Watch Over Eight Decades Later, Netaji’s Daughter Anita Bose Appeals For Return Of Bose’s Ashes From Japan Expressing disapproval, the judges remarked that the petitioner had refiled the plea “only to gain publicity.” The CJI also cautioned against filing such “frivolous petitions” in future and directed the Supreme Court Registry not to entertain any PILs filed by the petitioner on similar issues.“Ab aap jaiye, nahi toh aur cost laga denge (Now you should leave, otherwise we will impose further costs),” the CJI told the petitioner.In 2022, the Supreme Court had dismissed a similar plea seeking directions to declare a national holiday on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary. A bench then headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala had said such decisions lie with the government.“The best way to celebrate his contribution is by working hard just like he worked hard for independence,” Justice Chandrachud had observed, adding that the court’s jurisdiction should not be misused for such petitions.(With ANI inputs)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In March123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake Rakesh Bedi visited Javed Akhtar’s house for free food, alcohol during FTII days: ‘He would come with Farooq Shaikh, Neena Gupta’ Taylor Swift spends $15 million on private jet makeover to stay hidden ahead of wedding with Travis Kelce Japan issues ‘huge’ earthquake advisory after powerful 7.5 tremor; 80 cm tsunami recorded—top developments Magnitude 7.5 quake struck off northeastern Japan, tsunami alert issued with warnings of waves up to 3 metres and risk of a “huge” earthquake.PM Modi hailed India’s ties with South Korea saying they’re moving “from chips to ships,” The two nations signed multiple MoUs.21 people were killed and 29 injured as a bus fell into gorge in Udhampur. PM Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of deceased.Trump screamed at aides and was kept out of war room after US jet was shot down over Iran, demanding military “go get them immediately.”Viral video of lemon ritual during SRH-CSK match sparked controversy with Lalit Modi claiming such practices have allegedly happened in IPL before.Japan hit by magnitude 7.5 earthquake, tsunami alert issuedA powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off northeastern Japan, triggering a tsunami alert. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of waves up to 3 metres and urged immediate evacuation from coastal areas. A special advisory later warning of an increased risk of a “huge” earthquake. Read full story.PM Modi hails India-South Korea ties as ‘from chips to ships’, multiple MoUs signedPM Modi said India-South Korea ties are moving “from chips to ships, talent to technology” as the two nations signed several MoUs. Both sides aim to double annual trade to $50 billion by 2030 and enhance cooperation in AI, defence and shipbuilding. Read full story.Jammu bus accident: 21 dead, several injured as bus falls into gorge in UdhampurAt least 21 people were killed and 29 injured after a passenger bus rolled down a hill in J&K’s Udhampur district. PM Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Rescue operations are under way. Read full story.Trump ‘screamed at aides’ after US jet shot down in IranUS President Donald Trump was kept out of White House war room discussions and screamed at aides after a US jet was shot down over Iran, leaving two American airmen missing. Trump had demanded the military “go get them immediately” but aides kept him out of detailed planning due to concerns over his impatience. Read full story. Lalit Modi reacts to IPL ‘black magic’ row, says it happened beforeA viral video showing a man performing a lemon ritual—often linked to “black magic”—surfaced during the IPL 2026 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings, around the time Shivam Dube was dismissed. Reacting to the controversy, former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi claimed such practices had allegedly been used in the league before. Read full story.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll Campaign123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake Apr 20, 2026, 17:33 IST ‘Ghabraiye, aap Mullanpur mein hain’: Arshdeep Singh’s jab at Lucknow after PBKS win breaks internet – Watch | Cricket News