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He said " The Chief Minister said she had appealed to the Centre for considering the appropriate financial package for West Bengal - never threatened them with 15 days deadline. We appreciate her clarifications. WBPCC is also sensitive about the present financial mess faced by the State which is a creation of Left misrule of 34 years. We are partner of the State Government and we also appeal to the Central Government to help the State to tackle the financial imbroglio."
A meeting of Congress workers was held at Basirhat, North 24 Parganas. Leaders present in the meeting were Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya, President WBPCC, Shri Devi Ghosal President North 24 Parganas, Shri Sukhbilas Verma MLA, Shri Amitabha Chakraborty General Secretary WBPCC, and many others. Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya said that the goons, who used to torment and kill the Congress workers under the patronage of CPM, now have joined TMC and conducting the same atrocities against the Congress workers. It’s a matter of great regret that being alliance partner in Centre as well as in the State, TMC is bent upon the idea of destroying the Congress party in the State. This kind of contradictory position cannot be continued not be tolerated. Shri Devi Ghosal urged all the Congress workers of the district to work together to strengthen the party organization and to get prepared for the coming Panchayat election. 01 April, 2012 Government Circular - imposing selective Newspapers preference:
Abdul Mannan, Chairman, Media Committee, WBPCC condemns the intervention f the Government on the freedom of people and the democratic tradition of the state. Surprisingly names of leading Newspapers such as Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Telegraph, Statesman, Anandabazar, Bartaman and many others have not featured in that list published by Trinamool Congress (TMC). Abdul Mannan said “no government can impose such dictatorial command in a democratic system. In a dictatorial system of governance – yes, such types of dictums are common - no free press is allowed and people do not enjoy freedom of information. But we should not forget that we have promised more freedom to the common people of Bengal than what they have experienced during 34 years of tyranny of CPM led government. Now it seems that our coalition partner is trying to outdo the earlier regime by suppressing the freedom of common people. Congress has nothing to do with such undemocratic decisions. I request the Chief Minister to relook into the matter with tolerance and rollback the circular.” WBPCC President Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya commented on the State Budget placed by the Finance Minister Dr. Amit Mitra. Dr. Mitra on 23rd March presented the Rs 3,28,468 crore Budget for West Bengal for the financial year of 2012-13. The budget has a total Plan outlay of Rs 23,371.44 crore while the estimated total deficit has been put at Rs 9 crore. In this 3 lakh-plus crore budget the Department of Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education, the nodal department of the state government for minority welfare schemes, will get Rs 570 crore which is not even 1% of the total budget amount. The Muslims constitute about 25% of the state population. The budget proposals have not announced any new scheme or fund for the community. Beyond the Rs 570 crore for minority department no other fund has been announced for any other scheme for minority. He told reporters here that as a disciplined soldier of the Congress, he withdrew his candidature on instruction from the party high command.
Bengal by tradition is the citadel of culture of secular harmony. Congress is not only the pioneer of secular politics in India but also the active fighter, sometimes singlehandedly, against any religious extremism. Shri Mannan urged people of all sections of the society for restrain and to maintain peace and communal harmony at all cost. Congress is to contest coming Rajya Sabha Election from West Bengal. Congress nominated candidate is no other than the popular & veteran Congress leader Janab Abdul Mannan. Congress Is confident of win of Sri Mannan to enforce the secular, progressive and democratic agenda of UPA II under the able leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee & Rahul Gandhi. All cross sections of Congress workers in Bengal are delighted on the decision of nomination of Sri Mannan. Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya, President WBPCC said ”Congress being India’s largest democratic party should have its own candidate for the next election of Rajya Sabha having second largest number of MLAs in the present Assembly”. The budget has allocated substantial fund for several social development projects like Integrated Child Development Scheme, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, infusion of fund for rural Banks, Food security subsidy etc. At the same time infra structure development and Highway projects were given priority. Anti inflationary measures were also taken into account. Income tax exemption limit has been raised and the tax regime rationalized - which will give respite to the middle class populace. Truly this is a pro-growth, anti-inflationary budget for aam admi. It is unfortunate that our coalition partner in the Center and the State is bringing their internal misunderstanding and differences out in the public and blaming Congress for the same. It is quite obvious that a central Railway Minister would consult the Union Finance Minister and the Prime Minister to determine the national policies. That is the age-old system of parliamentary democracy and federal system of governance.The pan Indian welfare and policy matters can not be dictated on a regional scale. Shri Dinesh Trivedi may be a TMC party MP but as the Railway Minister of India, his obligation warrants unrestricted service to the country under the leadership of the Prime Minister rather than his party TMC - which is obviously a regional party. The statement made by his party leaders are rather detrimental to the democratic fabric of Indian federal system. If someone talks about the welfare of the poor - then no other political party than Congress has worked better for the poorest of poor for their welfare. Panchayeti system for local governance and local development are the result of the long term policies of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi - who also happened to be the mentor of the present Chief Minister of West Bengal Ms. Mamta Banerjee. India and Pakistan were born almost at the same time - but India has survived its democratic system due to the maturity of its leadership and support of its people. "Nation first - self interest later" should also be the dictum of the new generation regional leaders of India.
Prof Bhattacharya said “the budget exhibits progressive economic policy of UPA government under the leadership of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The budget proposals will enhance the movement of railways and improve the passenger’s amenity. Most importantly the safety matters have been given due importance. Common people are happy that the budget has reflected their aspiration of safe and comfortable railway journey. At the same time the rational approach to the cargo freight will keep the economic growth undisturbed. Five TMC Councilors of Purulia Minicipality join Congress
The Councillors are: Kamala Sau, Pradip Banerjee, Sakil Ahmed, Sajeeda Parveen and Ananda Chowdhury. Present in the meeting Deepa Dasminsi MP, Nepal Mahato President Purulia DCC, Debabrata Basu Vice President WBPCC, Dr. Maya Ghosh General Secretary WBPCC and many other leaders. Addressing the huge rally, Deepa Dasminsi said that this is the time to strengthen the Congress organization across the length and breadth of West Bengal. Expressing her dissatisfaction over the style of functioning of the TMC led state government she said: wherever and whenever there are issues of misrule or bad governance Congress will protest. In many ways Trinamul Congress is just replicating the misdeeds of CPM committed during their misrule of 34 years. She further said that people of Bengal wanted respite from the tyranny of CPM and brought in the change in the government. But now it is becoming clear that only Congress can provide terror free, peaceful and progressive governance.
28 February, 2012
Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya, President WBPCC , strongly condemns the Bandh culture of the leftists. He says “ It is unfortunate that TMC could not drive away the fear psychosis from the general public. The street vandalism by both CPM and TMC workers only hyped that fear psychosis. As a result Kolkata and its suburbs witnessed the ill effects of illogical strike called by the leftist forces. Comparatively the rural Bengal is less affected by this Bandh. Indian National Congress does not believe in violence, hooliganism or culture of illogical Bandh. We urge the people of Bengal to join the force of constructive thinking, as pursued by the Indian National Congress, and build a new Bengal.” 27 February, 2012
22 February, 2012
Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya, President WBPCC, condemns the political killings in Burdwan, saying "West Bengal has seen enough political killings in the last three decades. Indian National Congress never indulges in violence. Such politics of violence and murder should be stopped immediately.” See Press Release English / Bengali Park Street Rape Case:
He said that Indian National Congress has always upheld the dignity and protection of womenfolk in the society above all other matters. Further he regretted the remarks made by the Chief Minister and said “the comments are not only surprising but also disturbing. To make the administration transparent, dependable and people friendly – such comments should have been avoided”. On the matter of the premature comments made by the Police Commissioner of Kolkata, he said that the Police Commissioner should apologise to the public for his irresponsible remarks. Prof. Bhattacharya also expressed concern that after 34 years of misrule of CPM, people have brought changes - expecting better governance. The present TMC-INC alliance government in the State should take more care in extending sensitive attitude to the people’s woes. Park Street Rape Case: Janab Abdul Mannan, Chief Spoke Person and Chairman, Media Committee reacted sharply on the atrocious event. He said “Indian National Congress always pays highest respect to the dignity of women and insists on rule of law. The incident is a highly condemnable act of crime and it is a blot on the reputation of Kolkata and Bengal as a whole. It is a matter of deep concern that the administration, including the Chief Minister of the State, has tried to portray the incident as a “made-up story” and as “a conspiracy against the government” even before the investigation was over. On the other hand it is also a matter of pride that there are upright officers in the administration who are independently capable to keep the faith of masses. We always expect that the present government will infuse a sense dependence and faith in the mind of general public on the matter of clean and neutral administration - which was destroyed during the 34 years misrule of Left Front.” More than 3000 Trinamul Congress workers under the leadership of Md. Saifuddin joined Indian National Congress in a meeting held at Mathurapur BSS High School ground, under Manikchak assembly constituency. Congress leadership present in the meeting were H. Khan Chowdhury (Dalu Babu) President of Malda DCC & MP, Adhir Chowdhury President Murshidabad DCC & MP, Abu Hena (Minister), Sabina Yeasmin (Minister), Md. Sohrab, leader of CLP, Mousam Bebazir Noor MP, Abdul Mannan Chairman WBPCC Media Committee and other MLAs and district leaders
Statement by Dr Abhishek Singhvi, MP, National Spokesperson and Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on 8/2/12 Release of “Congress Barta” – weekly party newspaper. AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi launches WBPCC mouthpiece “CONGRESS BARTA” at Bidhan Bhawan. Prof Pradip Bhattacharya, President WBPCC was present on the occasion along with other state leaders. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Singhvi said: Congress is part of TMC-Congress alliance in the state government. But Congress has the right to protest against the increasing attacks on Congress workers and destructions of party offices across the state. Such protest against “kusashan” of the present government should not be construed as negative politics – but should be taken as constructive criticism. If there is lack of governance - voices would be raised automatically. Congress leaders cannot sit idle when congress activists are being attacked. Commenting on the claim of the Chief Minister that Bengal government is yet to receive any central assistance to tackle the present financial mess of the state he said that already around On Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to Manipur and her pre-pole assurance of withdrawal of Arms Forces Special Provision Act (AFSPA), prominent Congress leader and a leading lawyer Shri Arunabha Ghosh was asked to comment. He said:
PROTEST AGAINST KILLINGS OF CONGRESS WORKERS Union Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh addressed a press conference at the Bidhan Bhawan and said:
Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya, President, WBPCC addressed a press meet at Bidhan Bhawan. Plights of the farmers in West Bengal WBPCC President Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya said: |
WBPCC President Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya welcomed the change in the Chief Minister's approach to the Central Government regarding the financial moratorium package for West Bengal.
Government Circular - imposing selective Newspapers preference:
Adhir Chowdhury MP, President of Murshidabad DCC and senior leader commented on the allegation of TMC that "the difference between the Minister of Railways Shri Dinesh Trivedi and the TMC leadership is a game plan of Congress" :
In a huge public meeting held in Midnapur, Sakeel Ahmed, AICC General Secretary stated that Congress may contest the Panchayat poll alone, citing the example of Maharashtra and Tamilnadu. However he did not rule out the possibility of alliance with TMC saying "We shall think about seat-sharing for the panchayat polls with Trinamool only if proposed by Mamata Banerjee,"
In a huge public meeting held in the Purulia town five councillors of Purulia Municipality and other TMC leaders joined Congress encouraging the fact "Future is Congress".
WBPCC pays homage to the departed soul of the iconic football player Sailen Manna. Prof. Pradip Bhattacharya expressed deep condolence saying “ Bengal lost a legend who was not only a pride of Bengal but also of India”. 
Political Killings in Burdwan
On my trip to Kolkatta on Sunday, 5/2/12 to inaugurate a party newspaper, I had only said, and that too in response to one question amongst many others by several reporters, that in the 2011-12 financial year, the Central Govt had approved central assistance of about RS 8750 crores to WB (under BRGF scheme). I had talked only about allocation/approvals, not disbursals.
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