Pioneer in short
President turns down TMC meet
A request by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs to meet President Droupadi Murmu was declined by Rashtrapati Bhavan citing “paucity of time,” sources said on Thursday, amid an escalating political row in West Bengal. A senior TMC leader had written to the President on March 9 seeking an appointment for a 12-15 member delegation of party MPs and State ministers. The delegation intended to brief the President on welfare initiatives undertaken by the Government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for “inclusive development.” The President’s office, however, conveyed that the request could not be accommodated due to time constraints. The party has since written again seeking an appointment next week. The development follows controversy during Murmu’s recent visit to Bagdogra for an international Santal tribal conference, where she expressed disappointment over the low turnout and the absence of the Chief Minister or any State minister at the airport. Banerjee accused the President of speaking “on the advice of the BJP,” while the BJP strongly criticised the State Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the episode “shameful,” intensifying political tensions in the state.
Opposition moves to target CEC
Opposition parties have moved to initiate proceedings to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with 130 MPs from the Lok Sabha and 63 from the Rajya Sabha signing notices seeking his removal, sources said. The notice is expected to be submitted in at least one House of Parliament on Friday. Under parliamentary rules, a removal notice requires signatures from at least 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs. Lawmakers from parties in the INDIA bloc have backed the move, with MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party also reportedly signing despite its current status outside the alliance. This is the first time such a notice has been filed against a Chief Election Commissioner. Sources said the notice lists seven charges against Kumar, including alleged “partisan and discriminatory conduct.”
Meghalaya CM calls for peace
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday met party leaders and workers to discuss restoring peace and trust in the Garo Hills following recent election-related violence. Posting on X, Sangma, who is also National President of the National People’s Party, said the meeting began and ended with prayers for peace and unity. The violence erupted in Tura earlier this week during protests linked to the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. Two people were killed in police firing, and incidents of arson, vandalism, and looting affected shops, markets, and a political office. Authorities imposed curfews in West and East Garo Hills districts and deployed additional security forces, with a limited relaxation for essential purchases.
