The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced a diverse list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. Among the notable candidates are a retired high court judge, an erstwhile royal, and a woman from Sandeshkhali who has been at the forefront of the fight against a powerful local leader. The party is determined to meet its target of winning 35 out of 42 seats in Bengal, and these unique candidates add to the already fascinating electoral dynamics in the state.
Rekha Patra: A Rising Star in West Bengal Politics
Background:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled an intriguing list of candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, including Rekha Patra, a prominent figure in the Sandeshkhali region. Patra has garnered significant attention for her unwavering opposition to a formidable local leader.
Political Journey:
Patra's political journey began as a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 2013. However, disillusioned with the party's ideology, she joined the BJP in 2019. Since then, she has emerged as a vocal critic of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Fight Against Local Leader:
Patra has been at the forefront of the fight against Manik Bhattacharya, a former TMC MLA who allegedly wields considerable influence in Sandeshkhali. Patra's accusations against Bhattacharya include intimidation, extortion, and illegal land acquisition. Her courageous stand against these alleged transgressions has earned her immense public support.
Unique Candidate:
Patra's inclusion in the BJP's candidate list is significant for several reasons. As a woman from a marginalized community, her nomination sends a strong message of inclusivity. Additionally, her background as an activist demonstrates the party's willingness to embrace individuals who have made a mark in their communities.
Electoral Dynamics:
Patra's candidacy has added a new dimension to the already captivating electoral dynamics in West Bengal. The BJP has set an ambitious target of winning 35 out of 42 seats in the state, and Patra's presence adds to the party's chances of making significant gains.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Patra joined the BJP in 2019 after becoming disillusioned with the CPI(M).
Patra has accused Manik Bhattacharya of intimidation, extortion, and illegal land acquisition.
Patra's nomination represents the BJP's commitment to inclusivity and its willingness to embrace activists.
The BJP aims to win 35 out of 42 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.
Patra is a candidate for the BJP in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.
On Engineers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a pioneering figure in India's engineering history. In a message on this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude and admiration for Sir M. Visvesvaraya's groundbreaking contributions that laid the foundation for India's modern engineering landscape. He also applauded the current generation of engineers for their creativity and determination in continuing to drive innovation and tackle challenges, highlighting their crucial role in building a developed India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur, his first since the outbreak of violence in 2023, aims to bring peace and progress to the state. He inaugurated various developmental projects and assured support from the government for ensuring peace and stability in the state. However, the Congress has criticized the visit, calling it "shockingly insensitive." PM Modi also emphasized the strong bond between India and Nepal.
Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena party, has called for a boycott of the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai, citing it as an insult to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also accused Indian cricket board chief Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of forcing the Indian team to play in the match despite their reluctance. Meanwhile, Sena workers have staged protests and even broken a TV set to show their disapproval of the match.
Veteran ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy falls for fake news about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, falsely accusing the suspect as a right-wing extremist. However, it was later revealed that the killer was actually influenced by left-wing ideology, causing Cassidy to issue a public apology for his mistake.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of Hindi as a "friend" rather than a competitor to other regional languages during his keynote address at the Hindi Diwas 2025 and Rajbhasha Conference. Shah traced the roots of Hindi's acceptance in Gujarat and highlighted how it has coexisted with Gujarati, providing children with a wider reach at the national level. This fifth edition of the conference held outside Delhi showcases the government's efforts to strengthen communication between Hindi and regional languages.
After the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to the state and addressed separate gatherings in Churachandpur and Imphal. In his speeches, he emphasized peace as a precondition for progress, reconciliation between the hills and valley, infrastructure, and welfare. He also announced a special package and funds for rehabilitation of over 60,000 people displaced by the conflict, showcasing the central government's commitment towards rebuilding lives in Manipur. With this visit, Modi aimed to ease tensions and promote unity in the polarized state, urging for collective will in bringing back normalcy and fostering development.
On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah shared greetings and urged the people of the country to take a pledge to preserve and enrich all Indian languages, including Hindi. They emphasized that language is a living heritage of identity and culture, and the growing respect of Hindi on the world stage is a matter of pride. They also highlighted the role of Indian languages in carrying forward India's culture, knowledge, and traditions through generations.
CM Yogi of Uttar Pradesh has been actively engaging with the public through the 'Samarth Uttar Pradesh - Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047' campaign, with visits to all 75 districts and the gathering of over 1.5 lakh feedback entries so far. The top feedback entries have highlighted education as the biggest issue among the public, with over 50,000 suggestions related to education. Other areas of concern include urban and rural development, health, social welfare, and agriculture.
Amid massive anti-government protests and a constitutional crisis in Nepal, top sources reveal that former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be announced as the interim Prime Minister. This decision comes after days of political turmoil and unrest, with President Ramchandra Paudel pushing for a solution within the constitutional framework. Army troops continue to patrol sensitive areas while representatives of the youth-led 'Gen Z' hold talks with military officials to finalize the transitional government.
The political world was rocked by tragedy as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college. President Trump expressed his shock and sadness over the loss of his close ally, and offered his condolences to Kirk's wife Erika, who is said to be devastated by the news. While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and the killer is still at large, the President has announced plans to award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.