News for 'West Bengal'

TMC, Congress dismiss reports of merger talks

TMC, Congress dismiss reports of merger talks

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has dismissed "baseless" rumours of a possible merger with the Congress, despite recent meetings between TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, which occurred amidst significant internal rebellion within the TMC following its recent electoral defeat in West Bengal.

Bhangar Bomb Blast: NIA Nabs Driver, Searches MLA's Hideouts

Bhangar Bomb Blast: NIA Nabs Driver, Searches MLA's Hideouts

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Sainur Molla, the driver involved in transporting victims of the Bhangar bomb blast in West Bengal, bringing the total arrests to three. The agency also conducted extensive searches at eight locations, including those linked to former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla, a prime suspect, as part of its ongoing investigation into the crude bomb explosion that occurred before the recent state elections.

2 held for throwing eggs on Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh

2 held for throwing eggs on Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Two individuals have been arrested in Kolkata for allegedly throwing eggs at Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh outside Mamata Banerjee's residence. The incident, which saw one egg strike Ghosh, is under police investigation to determine the motive, with Ghosh expressing concern over potential minor charges leading to quick bail. This attack is part of a series of protests faced by TMC leaders across West Bengal following recent Assembly elections.

Why Was TMC Leader Sabyasachi Dutta Arrested?

Why Was TMC Leader Sabyasachi Dutta Arrested?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Sabyasachi Dutta, former Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation chairman, has been arrested in West Bengal on charges of extortion and criminal intimidation. The arrest stems from a 2018 complaint by a businessman alleging a demand of over Rs 1 crore. This development follows another recent high-profile arrest of a TMC leader, prompting a state minister to comment on a crackdown on corruption.

Centre seeks response from Bengal govt over 'lapses' at Prez event

Centre seeks response from Bengal govt over 'lapses' at Prez event

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

The central government has demanded a response from the West Bengal government regarding alleged protocol violations during President Droupadi Murmu's recent visit, including issues with venue arrangements, route conditions, and the absence of key state officials.

'People Voted In Anger Against Mamata Banerjee'

'People Voted In Anger Against Mamata Banerjee'

Rediff.com4 May 2026

'The nepotism, corruption, bad governance and 15 years of rampant crime that has happened across West Bengal under her rule led to her ouster.'

Poll defeat conceded? Mamata updates bio on X, Facebook

Poll defeat conceded? Mamata updates bio on X, Facebook

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister, updated her social media profiles to reflect her position as Founder Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister of West Bengal, despite the party's recent electoral defeat.

How Class 9-12 Students Can Get Rs 12,000 Scholarship

How Class 9-12 Students Can Get Rs 12,000 Scholarship

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Selected students will receive a grant of up to Rs 12,000 to cover their academic expenses.

Rudrankksh Patil Wins Gold At Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting

Rudrankksh Patil Wins Gold At Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Rudrankksh Patil of Maharashtra won the gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event at the Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting Championship, overcoming a challenge from Haryana's Rohit Kanyan.

ED Conducts Raids In Kolkata Money Laundering Investigation

ED Conducts Raids In Kolkata Money Laundering Investigation

Rediff.com22 May 2026

The Enforcement Directorate conducted fresh searches at multiple premises in West Bengal as part of a money laundering probe linked to arrested Kolkata Police officer Shantanu Sinha Biswas and an alleged criminal Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu.

Bengal on edge as Suvendu Adhikari's close aide shot dead; driver critical

Bengal on edge as Suvendu Adhikari's close aide shot dead; driver critical

Rediff.com7 May 2026

A personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, triggering political tensions and a police investigation.

Wayanad landslide toll rises to 7; one still missing

Wayanad landslide toll rises to 7; one still missing

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

Ongoing search operations are intensifying in Wayanad as one more individual is still missing after a devastating landslide at the Anakkompoyil Meppadi tunnel project claimed seven lives.

Police Raid Abhishek Banerjee's Residence In Financial Fraud Probe

Police Raid Abhishek Banerjee's Residence In Financial Fraud Probe

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

West Bengal police, supported by central forces, conducted a four-hour predawn raid on TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's Kolkata residence in connection with a financial fraud case involving his aide, Sumit Roy. The operation, which Banerjee claims involved forced entry, has been denounced by the TMC as "political vendetta" and comes as Banerjee faces multiple investigations from various agencies, further escalating political tensions in the state.

Bengal polls: Why South Bengal's 91 seats will decide battle for Nabanna

Bengal polls: Why South Bengal's 91 seats will decide battle for Nabanna

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

In West Bengal's electoral chessboard, governments are rarely made in the hills of North Bengal or the forested region of Jangalmahal. Power is usually decided in the crowded plains of South Bengal, where elections are won less by momentum and more by mathematics.

Assembly elections see high turnout, women voters outnumber men

Assembly elections see high turnout, women voters outnumber men

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Recent assembly elections across several states in India saw exceptionally high voter participation, with women voters outnumbering men in turnout percentages, according to Election Commission data.

Lessons that opposition party needs to learn after Bengal elections

Lessons that opposition party needs to learn after Bengal elections

Rediff.com5 May 2026

What lessons opposition parties need to learn post defeat of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal elections? The election saw spectacular victor of BJP which rose from 3 seats in 2016 to 206 seats in 2026 assembly elections.

Nearly Half Exit School Before Class 12

Nearly Half Exit School Before Class 12

Rediff.com7 days ago

Nearly one in two children still leave the school system before completing higher secondary education.

MAPPED: Five state results, constituency-wise

MAPPED: Five state results, constituency-wise

Rediff.com4 May 2026

Here are the constituency-wise mapped leads/results for the West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu assembly elections!

What Modi Govt Plans To Do About Illegal Immigration

What Modi Govt Plans To Do About Illegal Immigration

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

The NDA government has gradually nuanced its position on the issue of demographic challenge.

Exit polls mostly right, Axis My India nails TVK's debut

Exit polls mostly right, Axis My India nails TVK's debut

Rediff.com5 May 2026

A review of the accuracy of various exit polls in predicting the outcomes of recent assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, highlighting the performance of different pollsters.

Rs 1,445 Crore In Inducements Seized During Assembly Elections

Rs 1,445 Crore In Inducements Seized During Assembly Elections

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The Election Commission reports a significant increase in seizures of inducements during recent assembly elections, with Tamil Nadu leading in cash seizures and West Bengal in liquor and drugs.

Why TMC Leaders Faced CID Grilling Over Signature Forgery

Why TMC Leaders Faced CID Grilling Over Signature Forgery

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

The West Bengal CID conducted marathon questioning of Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and party MLA Kunal Ghosh in connection with an alleged forgery of MLAs' signatures for the appointment of the Leader of Opposition. The leaders faced separate and face-to-face interrogations, with the CID reportedly unsatisfied with previous replies.

Governor shake-up: RN Ravi moves to Bengal, Hasnain to Bihar

Governor shake-up: RN Ravi moves to Bengal, Hasnain to Bihar

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

President Droupadi Murmu has announced a series of gubernatorial appointments, including new governors for West Bengal, Bihar, and other states.

Three Arrested In UP Over Suvendu Adhikari Aide Murder

Three Arrested In UP Over Suvendu Adhikari Aide Murder

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Three individuals have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests were made by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case.

Owaisi announces poll tie-up with Humayun Kabir in Bengal

Owaisi announces poll tie-up with Humayun Kabir in Bengal

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Opposition leaders have criticised the alliance between AIMIM and a suspended TMC MLA for the West Bengal Assembly elections, fearing it will divide votes and weaken secular parties.

3 arrested from UP in killing of Suvendu Adhikari's aide

3 arrested from UP in killing of Suvendu Adhikari's aide

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Police in West Bengal have arrested three individuals from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests follow an investigation involving digital clues and interstate links.

Shah Promises Gorkha Solution, Case Withdrawals if BJP Wins Bengal

Shah Promises Gorkha Solution, Case Withdrawals if BJP Wins Bengal

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged that the BJP will prioritise resolving the Gorkha issue in Darjeeling and withdraw cases against community leaders if elected in West Bengal. He criticised Mamata Banerjee's government for non-cooperation and assured a constitutional solution.

Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Protection To Actor Parambrata Chatterjee

Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Protection To Actor Parambrata Chatterjee

Rediff.com29 May 2026

The Calcutta High Court has granted interim protection to actor Parambrata Chatterjee from any coercive action by the police regarding an alleged social media post following the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections.

Why Kolkata's Messi Statue Is Being Taken Down

Why Kolkata's Messi Statue Is Being Taken Down

Rediff.com28 May 2026

The 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, West Bengal, is set to be dismantled due to safety concerns after being found unstable in the wind.

Bengal polls: EC tightens grip with strategic transfers

Bengal polls: EC tightens grip with strategic transfers

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

The Election Commission has intensified preparations for the West Bengal Assembly elections by reshuffling senior officers and deploying IAS and IPS officers in key poll management roles.

Big twist: Humayun offers assembly seat to Mamata after TMC split

Big twist: Humayun offers assembly seat to Mamata after TMC split

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

In a surprising turn of events, AJUP founder Humayun Kabir, a former critic of Mamata Banerjee, has offered her a route back to the West Bengal Assembly from his Rejinagar constituency. This offer comes as Banerjee faces a significant political crisis after the TMC's electoral defeat and internal party rebellion.

HC pulls up Trinamool MP Yusuf Pathan over Vadodara land occupation

HC pulls up Trinamool MP Yusuf Pathan over Vadodara land occupation

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

No one can do this, the Gujarat high court said on Monday, questioning how former cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan occupied public land in Vadodara without paying a single penny, even after the state government had refused the allotment proposal.

NDA parliamentary party meetings get new name: Mangal Milan

NDA parliamentary party meetings get new name: Mangal Milan

Rediff.com5 days ago

The NDA's parliamentary party meetings will now be known as 'Mangal Milan', with the first under this new name scheduled for July 21. This change was informally discussed in the Union cabinet. Additionally, the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), comprising 20 MPs who defected from the TMC, is seeking formal recognition and parliamentary facilities, including a party office and designated floor leaders.

Violence fails to dent massive turnout in Bengal Phase 1; BJP, TMC claim edge

Violence fails to dent massive turnout in Bengal Phase 1; BJP, TMC claim edge

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections was disrupted by EVM glitches and overnight violence in several districts. Polling was halted or delayed at multiple booths due to malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines. Incidents of violence were reported in Murshidabad and Cooch Behar, with political parties trading accusations.

TMC meltdown continues as ex-minister, Siliguri mayor resign

TMC meltdown continues as ex-minister, Siliguri mayor resign

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a severe leadership crisis as former minister Jyoti Priya Mallick resigned from all party organisational posts citing health, and senior North Bengal leader Goutam Deb stepped down as mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, amidst widespread internal rifts and electoral setbacks.

HC allows Mamata's Martyrs' Day rally, shifts venue

HC allows Mamata's Martyrs' Day rally, shifts venue

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Calcutta High Court has directed the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress to hold its July 21 Martyrs' Day rally near the Birla Planetarium instead of its traditional venue in front of Victoria House, citing concerns over traffic flow and law and order.

Breakthrough In Suvendu Adhikari Aide Murder Case: Arrests Made

Breakthrough In Suvendu Adhikari Aide Murder Case: Arrests Made

Rediff.com11 May 2026

West Bengal Police have arrested three individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide to Suvendu Adhikari. The arrests followed leads from a UPI transaction made at a toll plaza.

Suvendu aide murder: CBI probe hints at Rs 1 cr contract killing

Suvendu aide murder: CBI probe hints at Rs 1 cr contract killing

Rediff.com12 May 2026

The CBI has registered an FIR in the alleged murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, taking over the investigation from the state police following a request from the state government.

Abhishek Banerjee Faces Second CID Questioning In Signature Forgery Probe

Abhishek Banerjee Faces Second CID Questioning In Signature Forgery Probe

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

West Bengal CID has issued fresh summons to TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee for a second round of questioning in an alleged signature forgery case. Investigators were reportedly dissatisfied with his previous responses regarding a disputed resolution submitted to the Assembly. The probe focuses on the authenticity of documents and signatures of legislators.

Suvendu keeps home, power portfolios, Swapan is finance minister

Suvendu keeps home, power portfolios, Swapan is finance minister

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Ten days after the expansion of the BJP government's cabinet in West Bengal, key portfolios have been allocated, with senior leader Tapas Roy taking charge of industries and journalist-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta appointed finance minister.