TMC heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari quits Mamata's cabinet: Bengal BJP says 'we have kept our doors open'

'I am with TMC': Satabdi Roy after meeting Abhishek Banerjee

TMC MP from Birbhum Satabdi Roy said there was no question of her leaving the party. Roy's statement came after a two-hour meeting with TMC's youth wing president and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Abhishek reached out to Roy as she voiced dissent against the leadership ahead of the assembly polls. Actor-turned-politician, Roy is a leading face in Mamata Banerjee's cultural brigade. Speculations started on Thursday over a post on Facebook page of Satabdi Roy fan club. Roy had claimed that she was not being informed about party events in her constituency. The 3-time MP had said she would inform the public on Saturday if she takes any 'decision'.

‘TMC should join Congress to defeat BJP in West Bengal’: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

The Congress proposed that the TMC should merge with it instead to put up a united fight against the BJP. The BJP, which has emerged as a potent force in the state, said the TMC's suggestion amounted to admission that it was not in a position to take on the saffron party on its own in the assembly polls in West Bengal due in April-May. "If the Left Front and the Congress are genuinely anti-BJP, they should rally behind Mamata Banerjee in her fight against the communal and divisive politics of the saffron party," senior TMC MP Sougata Roy said. Reacting to the TMC's proposal, state Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury blamed the West Bengal's ruling party for the growth of the BJP in the state. "We are not interested in aligning with the TMC. Why is the TMC now interested in an alliance with us after poaching our MLAs over the last 10 years. If Mamata Banerjee is in keen on fighting the BJP, then she should join the Congress as it is the only pan-India platform to fight against communalism," he said. Watch the full video for more details.

Calcutta HC advocates join BJP

Around 150 advocates of Calcutta High Court joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on January 06 in Kolkata in presence of party's national vice president Mukul Roy. Mukul Roy said, "They expressed their willingness to join BJP. Now, the advocates of Calcutta High Court came to our office to join our party and to fight against misrule of Mamata Banerjee." He further said, "Laxmi Ratan Shukla is the name in cricket and I cannot compare him with Suvendu Adhikari. And I have nothing to say about him joining BJP, our national party will look into it."

'TMC workers committed to party': Madan Mitra on Soumendu Adhikari's defection

After BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's brother Soumendu Adhikari left All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and joined the BJP, TMC leader Madan Mitra said that there is no reflection in the party for his defection. Madan Mitra said, "I firmly deny that people are tilting towards BJP. You may say that more members from Adhikari family are joining BJP. Anybody is welcome to leave. I do not think there will be any reflection in our party for the defection of Soumendu. Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers are becoming more and more committed to the party because they love Mamata Banerjee."

I'm with TMC, says Satabdi Roy after meeting Abhishek Banerjee

TMC MP Satabdi Roy ended the suspense and rubbished the reports of leaving the party. She said, "I held talks with Abhishek Banerjee today and he addressed the issues raised by me. I am not going to Delhi tomorrow. I am going to remain with TMC." In a social media post on her 'Satabdi Roy Fan Club' page, the actor-turned-politician said the reason behind her absence in party's programmes in her constituency, Birbhum, is because she is not informed about the schedules in advance.

Man dies after hospital in WB refuses treatment despite holding 'Swasthya Sathi' insurance scheme

A 65-year old man, Md Gaffar died after he suffered a brain stroke on January 12 in West Bengal's Matigara. Family of the deceased alleged that nursing homes in Siliguri refused to treat him. However, Gaffar has 'Swasthya Sathi' card, a state government health insurance scheme. "It's an unfortunate incident. We will look into the matter," Gautam Deb, Tourism Minister of WB.