West Bengal

Kolkata, July 29 (PTI) A BJP worker was found hanging from a tree near his house in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on Wednesday, with his party alleging that he was killed by goons of the ruling Trinamool Congress as he had refused to join them.

The Trinamool Congress rubbished the allegation as "completely baseless and politically motivated", and said a police investigation would bring out the truth.

Kolkata, Jul 26 (PTI) In a bid to counter the BJP's social media campaign, West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Sunday launched a new initiative to highlight the achievements of the state government and showcase how federalism is being allegedly eroded by the Centre.

The campaign - "Shoja Banglay Bolchi" (speaking in straightforward Bengali) will be a three days a week video series anchored by TMC's Rajya Sabha party leader Derek O'Brien.

New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) India will handover 10 broad-gauge diesel locomotives to Bangladesh on Monday, providing the neighbouring country mobility solutions for both intra-country and inter-country movement, the Railways said.

Senior dignitaries from both the countries are expected to flag off the handover, which will be conducted via video conferencing, according to the statement.

Kolkata, Jul 21 ( PTI) Famous footballer Mehtab Hussain on Tuesday joined BJP in West Bengal and expressed his desire to serve the country.

Mehtab, (34), who had played for leading soccer clubs of the country including East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, was handed over the party flag by West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh at the state headquarters.

Mehtab, who was a midfielder, said he joined politics as he wanted to serve the nation.

Kolkata, Jul 20 (PTI) With several weddings and religious functions being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Hindu priests in Kolkata and its vicinity are in dire straits, some even looking for an alternative source of income to make ends meet.

Sushanta Chakraborty, a priest in Agarpara on the northern outskirts of the city, is selling vegetables in his locality, something that he said his "ancestors couldn't have thought of, no matter what the circumstances".

Kolkata, Jul 20 (PTI) The BJP Mahila Morcha held a protest rally here on Monday over the death of a teenage girl at Chopra in North Dinajpur district, alleging that she was sexually assaulted and murdered.

As per the initial post mortem report, the girl died of poisoning and there was no sign of any external injury.

The rally, led by BJP Mahila Morcha state unit president Agnimitra Paul, which was to be held from Gariahat to Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata, was stopped by the police at the outset.

Kolkata, Jul 19 (PTI) The Trinamool Congress is preparing for its first mega virtual rally on July 21 even as a section of the party leadership is apprehensive whether the digital rally would evoke a similar response as it used to during previous years.

The July 21 rally is not just a show of strength on the part of TMC but also a platform which sets the tone of the party's policies and politics for the entire year.

Kolkata, Jul 12 (PTI) Hindutva leader Tapan Ghosh, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died at a hospital on Sunday, his associates said.

Ghosh, 67, was the founder of far-right group Hindu Samhati.

He was admitted to a private hospital last week after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Tapan-da passed away this evening. He is survived by two sisters, Hindu Samhati president Debtanu Bhattacharya told PTI.

Kolkata, Jul 12 (PTI) A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man at an under-construction building in the city's New Town area, police said on Sunday.

The man, who claimed to be a friend of a close relative of the girl, was arrested on Sunday, a senior police officer said.

According to the victim's complaint, the incident took place on Saturday night when she was returning home after visiting a friend near City Centre II, he said.

Kolkata, Jul 13 (PTI) Senior BJP leader Debendra Nath Ray was found hanging near his home in Hemtabad area of North Dinajpur district on Monday morning, police sources said.

"Ray was found hanging near a shop at Hemtabad area this (Monday) morning. We have started an investigation," a senior district police officer said.

Ray had contested and won the Hemtabad assembly segment -- a reserved seat for Scheduled Castes -- on a CPI(M) ticket but had switched over to the BJP last year after the Lok Sabha polls.