1. Mamata Tries to Revitalise Trinamool, Pits Black Money Against ‘Cut Money’
Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday that the Trinamul Congress would turn itself around and become a model political force, implying the need for revitalisation and signalling a resolve to reconnect with the masses.
“I want Trinamul to turn itself around and become a model political outfit,” Mamata said midway through her annual Martyrs’ Day speech, delivered at a time a perception has been gathering that the Lok Sabha results have transformed the BJP into a formidable force in Bengal.
“Politics can’t be done sitting at home. You have to hit the streets, which will show you the path,” Mamata told her supporters, before announcing she would start visiting the districts soon.
(Source: The Telegraph)
2. Prashant Kishor Not on Dais but Very Much on Minds
“PK koi? Dekheychho (Where is PK? Have you seen him)?” A councillor of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation was overheard asking a senior Trinamul minister when the latter came out of the VVIP zone after Mamata Banerjee’s speech got over.
“No, as far as I know, he hasn’t come,” the minister replied.
From the conversation, it was clear that even top Trinamul leaders were curious about “PK” — Prashant Kishor, a poll expert the party has hired to ensure a reversal in its poll fortune. The July 21 rally has always been a Mamata Banerjee event, but the 26th edition of the Martyrs’ Day programme — the most important event in Trinamul’s annual roster — saw a departure as supporters and even senior leaders were in the lookout for PK.
(Source: The Telegraph)
3. Martyrs' Day Rally Speech Dashes Salary Hike Hope
Mamata Banerjee on Sunday advised state government employees to join the Centre if they wanted salaries on a par with the pay received by the staff of the central government.
“Now, I suddenly see, those who have no work, taking to the streets, sitting for demonstrations. Give everybody money, give pay equal to the central government employees,” Mamata said at the rally.
“Those who want salaries on a par with the Centre, go to the Centre, go work for Delhi. I don’t have any problem. I will be happy,” she added. “The state does what it can like the state, the Centre does what it can like the Centre. The Centre has its own system, states have their own.”
(Source: The Telegraph)
4. UN Platform for Peace Initiative of Two Young Women From Calcutta and Karachi
The Balakot skirmish had pushed India and Pakistan almost to the brink of a war, but for two young women from across borders the volatile situation was a reason to turn peace crusaders.
To counter the relentless warmongering on both sides of the border, the duo — Rudrani Dasgupta from Calcutta and Ramsha Baluch from Karachi — launched “Chai Ki Dukan” on Facebook to encourage friendship between the citizens of the two countries.
Their Facebook page invited people to share their stories of bonding with those from the other side of the border.
(Source: The Telegraph)
5. Three Dupe Online Customers, Held
The anti-fraud wing of Kolkata Police arrested three youths for allegedly duping online customers in the name of an e-commerce company. A police complaint was filed by the e-commerce giant Flipkart with Kolkata Police in March.
According to the complaint, the three men — Gularaj Ahamed (23), Vishal Sharma (25) and Mohammed Sadik (20) — promised lottery money in the name of Flipkart. “The accused obtained customers’ data from a third party and posed as Flipkart’s employees. Customers were told that they had won a lottery from the company. To get the money, they were asked to deposit a processing fee. After receiving the fee, the accused would not talk to victims,” said a police officer. It is not clear how many people fell prey to the racket.
(Source: The Indian Express)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)