Trinamool Congress chairperson and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee joined a protest march in Kolkata's Dharmatala against the alleged illegal eviction of hawkers. The protest march was unscheduled, with the former CM not disclosing her plans in advance to the administration.
Mamata Banerjee was accompanied by TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh and former MP Dola Sen. (REUTERS)
Banerjee was accompanied by TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh and former MP Dola Sen. The TMC chairperson first reached Esplanade, wherein her presence drew a large crowd, and then led the march to Subodh Mullick Square, PTI rnews agency reported. Apart from party members, Banerjee was also joined by hundreds of protestors.
An anti-encroachment drive on June 7 had seen multiple bulldozers tear down makeshift shops and hawker stalls on Jadavpur Station Road, ANI news agency reported.
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Why did Mamata Banerjee join the march against hawkers' eviction?
Banerjee has asserted that the eviction of hawkers must be preceded by their rehabilitation. The TMC has described the evictions across the state as “illegal, unjust and inhuman.”
A post by the TMC on X stated that the dignity and livelihood of the people of Bengal will be defended.
“Our Hon'ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, alongside party leaders and dedicated workers, led a peaceful protest march against the illegal, unjust and deeply inhumane eviction of hawkers across Bengal. The people of Bengal have always come first,” the party said in the post. It said that the hawkers' “dignity, livelihoods and rights will be defended with unwavering resolve, and in that fight, no stone will be left unturned.” The party has termed the BJP government as “ruthless”, accusing it of bringing “anti-people policies.”
The protest comes even as the Banerjee-led TMC is facing an internal crisis, with several of its MLAs rebelling against the party, and at least 20 of its Lok Sabha MPs joining the Tripura-based party NCPI and extending support to the NDA.
Also Read | Bengal cops arrest TMC ex-minister, file 2 new FIRs against Abhishek Banerjee
‘Last-ditch effort to remain in media’: BJP
Meanwhile, the BJP hit back at the TMC, with West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh claiming that the protest was Banerjee's “last-ditch effort to remain in the media”, ANI reported.
“The condition of Mamata Banerjee is such that she neither has a party, nor her workers, nor her party office…She is only responsible for those hawkers from whom she has taken money and allowed to sit on the roads,” Ghosh said.
The minister said that the state government was committed to easing public inconvenience by making sure that the roads were “smooth” and free from encroachment.
The anti-encrochment drive on June 7 had drawn a large crowd, with people gathering around the authorities and raising slogans against the action. As protests escalated, police lathi-charged several protestors, according to the ANI reported. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed.
Read the full article at Hindustan Times →📄Source document: Ex-Bengal minister Jyoti Priya Mallick quits all TMC posts, cites health issues→4 reports
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter2 days agoFormer West Bengal minister Jyoti Priya Mallick has resigned from all positions within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), citing poor health. Mallick, a close associate of TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, made the announcement following a recent organizational reshuffle within the party. He previously served as the state's food and supplies minister from 2011 to 2021 but faced a major setback after being arrested in October 2023 in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. His resignation coincides with growing internal divisions within the TMC, which have become a significant political issue
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring any side. It reports on Mallick's resignation, his health reasons, his past role in the TMC, his legal troubles, and the internal party dynamics. The language remains neutral, and no explicit bias toward either Mallick or the TMC is evident.
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter2 days ago TMC split news LIVE: Team Mamata in Parliament for key meet with Lok Sabha SpeakerTeam Mamata Banerjee, including leaders like Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee, and Mahua Moitra, met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding a proposed merger of a rebel faction of 20 TMC MPs with the NCPI party and their support for the NDA. The article reports on developments related to the TMC split, including events such as a resignation from a Mamata aide, allegations against the NDA, and legal actions involving the Supreme Court dismissing a writ plea against defections.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual updates on political developments without overtly favoring any side. It includes multiple events and quotes from various individuals but does not exhibit clear bias through language, sourcing, or emphasis.
Official sources cited
- court Supreme Court dismisses writ plea against defections
- government Aaditya Thackeray comments on Shiv Sena-UBT rebels
Hindustan TimesIndependentLeft3 days ago Why did Mamata Banerjee lead surprise hawkers march amid intensifying TMC crisis?Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee participated in an unscheduled protest march in Kolkata against the alleged illegal eviction of hawkers. She was joined by TMC officials and hundreds of supporters. The TMC has criticized the evictions as 'illegal, unjust and inhuman,' emphasizing the need for the rehabilitation of affected individuals.
Bias read (Left): The article frames Mamata Banerjee's actions in a supportive light, highlighting her advocacy for the hawkers' rights and the TMC's condemnation of the evictions as 'illegal, unjust and inhuman.' The emphasis on defending the 'dignity and livelihood' of the people aligns with progressive/leftist stn
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter7 days agoBaidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, son of TMC rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, announced his intention to return gifts received from TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, including a gold necklace and a Punjabi-pajama set. The decision was described by Baidyanath as a matter of personal conscience. He also mentioned initiating legal action against Mamata and several TMC leaders for alleged inappropriate comments directed at him and his mother. Social media reactions were mixed, with some questioning the timing of the gesture and others suggesting it could be politically motivated.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the individual's actions and statements without overtly favoring any political side. It includes quotes from the person involved and mentions public reactions without taking a stance. There is no evident bias in the language used or the selection of sources.
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