BJP conspiring to arrest all opposition leaders before '24 polls: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata, Nov 1: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the BJP-led central government, alleging that it was conspiring to arrest all opposition leaders before the next year's Lok Sabha polls and cast votes for themselves in an "empty country".
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the ED for questioning in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case on November 2, while several other leaders were also served notices, she said and claimed that phones of opposition party MPs are being hacked.
Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, continued with her demand from the Centre to release MGNREGA funds due to West Bengal and extended the November 1 deadline set by her party till November 16.
"Before next year's elections, they (BJP) are trying to gag the voice of all opposition parties. They are planning to arrest all opposition leaders before the polls so that they can vote for themselves in an empty country. They are hatching a conspiracy," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.
"They (Centre) have sent a notice to Arvind (Kejriwal). Five-six MPs have said their phones have been hacked... Let them continue to do it. We cannot humiliate our motherland," she said.
On the issue of MGNREGA funds due to the state, she said Governor CV Ananda Bose had promised that he would take up the matter with the Centre.
"Today was the last day, but nothing has happened so far. If the MNEGRA dues are not cleared by November 16, we will declare our next course of action," Banerjee added.
The TMC boss said that on November 15, her party would hold a party meeting at the city's Netaji Indoor Stadium to decide on their next course of action on the issue.
To a question on the arrest of state Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the ration scam, she said her party would reply to the query.
The TMC supremo, however, held the erstwhile Left Front government responsible for the multi-crore ration scam and lauded the arrested former food minister for doing a commendable job by digitising ration cards.
"I will not respond to the legal part of this issue as the accused needs to defend himself," Banerjee said.
She claimed that when the TMC came to power in 2011 defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Front, there were one crore fake ration cards in the state.
"Many brokers took people's rations and sold those outside. I have cancelled those 1 crore fake ration cards. I have filed a case against them and arrested them. A charge sheet has been issued against them," she said.
In an apparent reference to Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, the chief minister said an investigation is on against the BJP leader to prove his involvement in corruption.
"I am just thinking aloud. There are some people who own 60-70 fishing trawlers besides many benami properties and petrol pumps... We are recovering documents as well. Many things will come out if we start digging," she said.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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