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"Swami Vivekananda took India's culture, vision and ethos to the world. He bridged the gap between spirituality and modernity. After visiting his birthplace, I feel his ideals are still relevant in the present-day world. Rather, his ideals are more needed in the present times," he told reporters. The path shown by Swami Vivekananda will not only lead India but the entire world on the road to prosperity, Shah said.
Home Minister Amit Shah visited the birthplace of Swami Vivekananda in north Kolkata on Saturday morning and said that the ideals of the 19th-century icon are more relevant in the present-day world. Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda, hailing him for taking Indian's culture and ethos to the world
List of leaders set to switch to BJP:
- Sunil Mondal, MP and a former MP from North Bengal
- The 10 MLAs include two Left MLAs, Tapasi Mondal (Haldia) and Ashok Dinda (Tamluk)
- Contai North MLA Banasri Maity and Barrackpore MLA Silbhadra Dutta
Meanwhile, Kalna MLA Biswajit kundu is also reportedly headed for Amit Shah's rally, despite TMC veteran Saugata Roy's claims to the contrary last night
Sources say one MP, one former MP and 10 MLAs are set to join BJP besides Suvendu Adhikary at Amit Shah's rally in Midnapore today.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah to offer prayer at Siddheswari temple in Midnapur, close to the meeting venue of the BJP.
This the place where Vivekananda Ji was born. Vivekananda Ji connected modernity and spirituality. I pray that we are able to walk on the path he showed us: Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Kolkata
Speaking to media after his visit to Swami Vivekananda's residence, "I am happy and pleased to be at vivekananda house."
Suvendu Adhikari Leaves for Midnapore Shortly | Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to leave his residence in Contai shortly and would take about 2 hours to reach the meeting venue in Midnapore.
After offering a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, Amit Shah takes a tour of the iconic philosopher's residence.
After offering a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, Amit Shah takes a tour of the iconic philosopher's residence.
A glimpse of a crowd of BJP workers from Vivekananda's Ancestral House at Simla Street.
Amit Shah Pays Floral Tribute to Swami Vivekananda | Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna. Dilip Ghosh, Kailash Vijayvargiya and Agnimitra Paul are among the prominent BJP leaders in attendance.
Meanwhile, preparations underway at Belijuri village in Paschim Medinipur district, ahead of the visit of Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, today.
Amit Shah Leaves Hotel | Union Home Minister Amit Shah leaves from his hotel. Heavy security has been deployed for his convoy. Amit Shah is set to arrive at Swami Vivekananda's residence at Simla street in North Kolkata shortly where he will pay floral tribute to Bengal's iconic and world-famous philosopher.
The banner in question that has triggered an uproar in Shantiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore's dream University town. As seen in the image, the banner has Amit Shah, with the header "Welcome to Shantiniketan", and a local BJP leader, while a mild sketch of Tagore can be found in the middle.
Shantiniketan was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his son Rabindranath Tagore. It was the nobel laureate's vision that became what is now a university town with the creation of Visva-Bharati.
BJP Banner in Shantiniketan Leaves Saffron Party Red-faced | Yesterday, the BJP came under fire from Bengal local leaders for one of its banners in Shantiniketan that had a giant image of Home Minister Amit Shah over a faint sketch of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The saffron party was accused of disrespecting Bengal and its pride, Rabindranath Tagore, and being "outsiders trying to trample on the culture of the land".
BJP's Bid for Bengal-Connect against 'Outsiders' Allegations | At the backdrop of heavy criticism from the ruling TMC and locals in Shantiniketan who have accused the BJP of being "outsiders", the saffron party is constantly bulding efforts for its Bengal-connect. According to Amit Shah’s official itinerary, he will spend 30 minutes each at the residences of Swami Vivekananda and Khudiram Bose. However, at Santiniketan — where he will pay floral tributes to a chair once used by Rabindranath Tagore in Visva-Bharati — Shah will participate in a series of programmes spanning over an hour and 45 minutes.
Mamata Unfazed by Implosion in TMC | West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee seems unfazed by the speculations. According to party sources, Banerjee told TMC leaders on Friday not to be "worried about the desertions" as the people of the state are with them. "Our party supremo during the meeting told us not to be worried about the desertions as it is good that the rotten elements are leaving the party on their own. She said deserters were baggage for the party," a senior TMC leader said on condition of anonymity after the closed-door meet.
Amit Shah will address a press conference after he concludes his visit to Swami Vivekananda's residence in North Kolkata today.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah waves at supporters as he arrives in West Bengal today:
Visit to Swami Vivekananda's Home, Midnapor Rally, But First, Meeting with NIA: Amit Shah's Itinerary for Today | Before leaving Kolkata for Midnapore, Amit Shah will attend a meeting with the officials of the National Investigating Agency (NIA). He is scheduled to meet the NIA officials around 10am this morning. During the meeting, Amit Shah will be briefed on the status of insurgents in West Bengal. Home Minister Amit Shah will then will visit Swami Vivekanada's residence in North Kolkata.
Amit Shah's Saturday Schedule | Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a public rally at Midnapore today where a number of TMC leaders are likely to join the saffron party. Midnapore is a Suvendu Adhikari stronghold. The BJP's state chief Dilip Ghosh has said that Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda would visit West Bengal every month till the assembly elections, likely in April-May, are over.
TMC Banners Torn Down, Fresh 'Dadar Anugami' Banners for Suvendu Adhikari in South Kolkata | Meanwhile, in the latest development, all TMC banners and posters, which were put up in front of Suvendu Adhikari's house in Sukia Street in North Kolkata, have been torn down. Fresh banners and posters in his support have appeared in various parts of South Kolkata. One of the most important factor in this entire episode has been banners and posters with his image and the citation ‘Dadar Anugami (Brother’s followers)’. All his events have also been taking place under the same banners.
Suvendu Adhikari is a heavyweight leader in the Midnapore-Jangalmahal region, and together with Mamata Banerjee had ousted the CPI-M from these assembly seats back in 2011.
Suvendu Adhikari's Resignation Rejected by Bengal Speaker | West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee yesterday said that he will not accept the resignation tendered by Suvendu Adhikari owing to procedural flaws. The Speaker added that he had no clue if the resignation is voluntary and genuine, and asked Suvendu Adhikari to meet him on Monday regarding the matter.
Amit Shah's Home Ministry Gives Suvendu Adhikari 'Z' Security | Meanwhile, amid speculations of the BJP eyeing on Suvendu Adhikari's induction into the saffron party, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) yesterday decided to provide ‘Z’ category security to the rebel TMC leader in West Bengal. According to the order issued by MHA, “Security arrangement for Suvendu Adhikari has been examined in this Ministry in consultation with Central Security Agencies and it has been decided to provide him ‘Z’ category CRPF security cover with the bulletproof vehicle in West Bengal.”
Is Suvendu Adhikari Set to Join BJP? | Speculations are rife that Suvendu Adhikari, who gave up his cabinet portfolios and the Trinamool Congress, may join the BJP during Shah's visit along with a slew of disgruntled TMC leaders, including some MLAs. The rebel TMC leader has been tight-lipped about his next political move, so far. However, developments around the leader hint towards him joining the saffron party.
Amit Shah to Rally in Midnapore Today | Amit Shah will address a public rally at Midnapore today where a number of Trinamool Congress leaders are likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP's state chief Dilip Ghosh has said that Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda would visit West Bengal every month till the Bengal assembly elections, likely in April-May 2021, are over.
In a tweet upon his arrival in Kolkata, Amit Shah wrote, "I bow to this revered land of greats like Gurudev Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Syama Prasad Mookerjee."
Reached Kolkata!
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 18, 2020
I bow to this revered land of greats like Gurudev Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar & Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
কলকাতায় পৌঁছালাম।
কবিগুরু রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর, ঈশ্বরচন্দ্র বিদ্যাসাগর এবং শ্যামাপ্রসাদ মুখোপাধ্যায়ের মত মহামানবের এই পুণ্য ভূমিকে আমি শতকোটি প্রণাম জানাই pic.twitter.com/rEGSjc87Rk
Senior BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Mukul Roy and Dilip Ghosh received Amit Shah as he arrived in Kolkata today.
Technical Snag in Amit Shah's Flight | Home Minister Ami Shah's flight had developed a technical snag last night following which, he had to board a different aircraft. Therefore, his arrival in Kolkata was further delayed. Shah arrived in Kolkata around 1am today.
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