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Mamata Banerjee hits out at Modi govt over IT survey at BBC offices: “There will be no media left in country”

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Kolkata: “The Income Tax survey at the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai is very unfortunate,” said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. She criticized the BJP government for conducting the survey and accused them of “running a political vendetta.” Banerjee also expressed concern that the freedom of the press has been affected by the action against the broadcaster and warned that soon there may be no media left in the country.

She added that the media is already under the control of the BJP and cannot raise their voice as their management will cut their service within 24 hours. Comparing the BJP to Hitler, Banerjee said that their only mandate is a dictatorship and they are worse than Hitler.


“I am abided by the mandate of the people. Where is their (BJP) mandate? They don’t care about the people’s mandate. BJP’s only mandate is a dictatorship, (they are) more than Hitler. My sympathy and my support with media and BBC,” she said.

She further alleged that BJP wants to capture the judiciary also adding that the judiciary must be neutral as only the judiciary can save this country.

“Sometimes they have said against the judiciary also and they want to capture the judiciary also. But we want judiciary must be neutral…only judiciary can save this country,” she added.

The income tax (I-T) department on Wednesday continued its survey at the offices of the BBC in Delhi and Mumbai for the second day, sources say.

On Tuesday, the I-T department conducted a survey at BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai in view of the British public broadcaster’s “deliberate non-compliance” with the Transfer Pricing Rules and its vast diversion of profits. Yesterday, the sleuths arrived at the BBC offices located at the national capital’s KG Marg and Mumbai’s Kalina Santacruz for the survey.

In the case of the BBC, sources said there has been persistent non-compliance with the above-mentioned rules for years. As a result of the same, several notices have been issued to the BBC. However, the BBC has been continuously defiant and non-compliant and has significantly diverted its profits, sources said.

Sources said the above exercise, conducted by the tax authorities, is called “survey”, not search or raid as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act. Such surveys are routinely conducted and are not to be confused to be in the nature of a search/raid, said sources.

The key focus of these surveys is to look into the manipulation of prices for unauthorised benefits, including tax advantages. These surveys have been undertaken due to BBC’s persistent non-compliance of the norms, making it a repeat offender.

In this case, sources said BBC has been, “non-compliant under transfer pricing rules; persistent and deliberately violative of transfer pricing norms; and deliberately diverted a significant amount of the profits and have not followed the arm’s length arrangement in the case of allocation of profit.”

Accordingly, the surveys have been conducted with a view to investigating BBC’s violation of the Transfer Pricing Rules and its diversion of profits.

After the I-T department survey, sources in the United Kingdom government said they are monitoring the developments closely.

“We are closely monitoring reports of tax surveys conducted at the offices of the BBC in India,” UK government sources said.

Meanwhile, BBC has said it is cooperating with the income tax department, which is conducting a survey at its offices in New Delhi and Mumbai.

“The Income Tax Authorities are currently at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and we are fully cooperating,” the BBC News Press Team said in a statement.

The development comes weeks after the BBC released a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi – ‘India: The Modi Question,” which caused controversy.

The Centre had issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary on PM Modi.

The Supreme Court had on February 3 directed the central government to produce original records relating to its decision to block the BBC documentary.

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Not just a leader, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde became an example of humanity, assured workers, “I will empower every worker”

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In politics, leaders are often identified by their speeches and rallies, but sometimes there are times when the human face of a leader touches the hearts of people. Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde has set such an example. Rasool Ghafoor Syed, who lost his son ten days ago, went to meet MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde in Kejriwal to share his grief. There, he suffered a sudden heart attack. He was immediately taken to the hospital but died during treatment. Two major tragedies have befallen a single family in a few days. As soon as the news of the incident was received, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde went straight to the family home. He not only offered his condolences but also sat with the family and shared their grief. During this, Dr. Shinde provided financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh and assured the responsibility of the children’s education. This incident once again proved that Dr. Shrikant Shinde is not just a politician but also a sensitive human being who understands the pain and suffering of the common people. The way he supported his family in difficult times and showed humanity is being talked about in the entire region. Minister Bharat Sheth Gogawale, MP Sandipan Bhumare, former MLA Sangeeta Thombare and Yuva Sena Inspector Bajirao Chavan were also present with Shrikant Shinde during the event.

Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader and MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, who is on a visit to Maharashtra, said that Marathwada has always been the stronghold of Shiv Sena, and the party will work to empower every worker there. As part of his “Shiv Samavad” tour, he interacted with workers and office bearers in Bed district to review the preparations for the upcoming elections. At a meeting held in Kej, MP Dr. Shinde said that it is necessary to strengthen the organisation at the booth level in view of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. He urged the workers to go to the villages and strengthen the party. He said that the party leadership is also focusing on the common workers and those who work hard will get organizational responsibilities. He said that appointments for Taluka Heads, Deputy Taluka Heads, Branch Heads and Deputy Branch Heads in Parli and Kej assembly constituencies will be made soon. Minister Bharat Sheth Gogawale highlighted the important role of BLA in the voter list revision campaign and stressed the need to collect accurate voter information at every booth. He urged the workers to work diligently for the organization. Meanwhile, MP Dr. Shinde addressed three separate meetings from Kej, Parli, Beed, Majalgaon, Ashti, and Giurai assembly constituencies of Beed district. A large number of Shiv Sena members were present in the meetings.

During his tour of the “Shiv Samavad”, Dr. Shrikant Shinde visited 23 assembly constituencies of Marathwada in the last three days, directly interacted with party workers, and conveyed the message of strengthening the organization.

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National News

US President Donald Trump’s Daughter Tiffany Visits India’s Iconic Taj Mahal With Husband During Private Trip

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India’s most iconic monument just welcomed another high-profile visitor. Tiffany Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, made a stop at the world-famous Taj Mahal on May 30 during her private trip to India, accompanied by her husband, Michael Boulos.

The couple reportedly arrived in Agra on Saturday and spent time exploring the historic marble mausoleum before continuing their travels to Rajasthan. Videos from the visit, shared by press, showed Tiffany embracing the Indian summer in a breezy floral dress, while Michael opted for a relaxed casual look as they admired one of the world’s most celebrated architectural wonders.

Inside Tiffany Trump’s India visit with husband

Tiffany travelled to Agra via a chartered aircraft. Given the family’s global profile, authorities made special security arrangements during the visit. However, officials have clarified that the trip is entirely personal, with no political meetings or official engagements on the schedule.

Before arriving in Agra, Tiffany also visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi. Sharing her experience on social media, she described the visit as an “Incredible visit to Akshardham Temple,” offering followers a glimpse into her cultural tour across India.

The visit has naturally sparked interest, not only because of Tiffany’s famous family name but also due to the Trump family’s longstanding connection with India. Over the years, members of the family have frequently expressed admiration for India’s culture, heritage, and historic landmarks.

Tiffany, the daughter of Donald Trump and actress Marla Maples, married Michael Boulos in 2022. Since then, the couple has often been spotted together at family celebrations, public appearances, and international events.

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Tejashwi Yadav To Lead Major RJD Organisational Overhaul After MLC Polls; Bihar Chief Mangani Lal Mandal Likely To Be Replaced

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Patna: RJD national working president Tejashwi Yadav may effect a major organisational rejig after the MLC polls, scheduled next month.

In the party`s organsiational overhaul, RJD is also likely to have a new Bihar chief, replacing the incumbent Mangani Lal Mandal. Ahead of the organisational rejig, Tejashwi is scheduled to hold meetings with the party’s district presidents, senior leaders, and party workers.

Senior RJD leaders will hold discussions in these meetings to formulate strategy for strengthening the party at the booth level. The announcement of the new team is expected to follow immediately thereafter. It is widely believed that, in addition to the state president, leaders holding various other organisational positions will also be replaced.

Mandal was  made state RJD president last year. Recently, Mandal created a flutter in party circles after he  expressed his displeasure regarding the working methods of party leaders and workers.

He alleged that several important events were being organised without informing senior office-bearers, and that party protocols were  not followed. He also warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against those found violating party norms.

Amid the speculation over Mandal’s potential departure, names of former ministers Kumar Sarvajeet and Alok Mehta are doing the rounds for the post of state party chief.

Sarvajeet is considered the frontrunner in this race. He is the RJD MLA representing the Bodh Gaya assembly constituency and is known for his close proximity with both party chief Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi. 

The second major name in this race is Alok Mehta. He possesses extensive political experience at both the central and state levels in Bihar. He is a former MP and currently serves as the RJD MLA from the Ujiarpur constituency.

He is widely regarded as having a strong command over the party’s grassroots cadre. The third name in contention is that of RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. He is the son of the  former state RJD chief, Jagdanand Singh. 

The second major name in this race is Alok Mehta. He possesses extensive political experience at both the central and state levels in Bihar. He is a former MP and currently serves as the RJD MLA from the Ujiarpur constituency.

He is widely regarded as having a strong command over the party’s grassroots cadre. The third name in contention is that of RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. He is the son of the  former state RJD chief, Jagdanand Singh. 

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