Central agencies threatening TMC leaders, asking them to join BJP: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday alleged that central agencies are threatening TMC leaders and elected representatives with prison term in chit fund scam cases, if they don't join the BJP.
Addressing the Martyrs' Day rally here, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief accused the saffron party of luring TMC MLAs with money and other perks.
The chief minister, speaking at her first major political rally after the Lok Sabha polls, also said the party will launch a statewide protest on July 26, demanding return of black money "siphoned off" by the BJP.
"Central agencies are threatening our leaders and elected representatives over chit fund scams, asking them to get in touch with the BJP leaders or face prison," Banerjee said.
"The BJP is offering Rs 2 crore and a petrol pump to our MLAs to switch over... Just like in Karnataka, the BJP is indulging in horse trading everywhere. It is trying to replicate this model here, too," she alleged.
Hitting out at the central government for allegedly trying to destroy the federal structure of the country, she claimed the BJP is functioning in a whimsical manner and its government would not last for "more than two years".
"They (the BJP) are bringing bills and passing it without any prior information or consultation... Credit for the smooth conduct of Parliament goes to opposition parties, not those in power," the TMC chief added.
The Martyrs' Day rally is organised by the party every year on July 21 in the memory of 13 Youth Congress activists killed in police firing in 1993 during the Left Front regime in West Bengal. Banerjee was a leader of the Youth Congress at that time.
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Karnataka High Court upholds tender process for Sharavathi hydroelectric project
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has given its approval for the tender process concerning the Sharavathi Hydroelectric Project, a crucial step in addressing the state's electricity deficit. The project, proposed by the state government with a budget of 8 thousand crore rupees, has faced legal challenges from Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Company.
L&T Company had contested the tender process through an appeal to the Division Bench, seeking to overturn the earlier decision of a single-member bench which had dismissed their writ petition. However, Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice Krishna Dixit upheld the previous ruling, denying L&T's appeal. Despite L&T's intention to file a appeal in the Supreme Court, their request for a stay on the High Court's decision was also rejected.
The Karnataka Electricity Corporation Limited (KPTCL) had initially planned the Hydro Power Pumped Storage Project at a cost of 8 thousand crores, with a reduced timeline of 21 days for tender submissions. This alteration sparked objections from L&T, arguing for the standard 30-day period mandated by the Transparency Act. However, the single-judge bench ruled against L&T's claim and upheld the authority of the tender-calling entity to adjust the rules as necessary.
In the current tender process, Mercus Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited emerged as the successful bidder, securing the contract with the lowest bid.
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