Adhir Chowdhury calls Mamata Banerjee ‘opportunist’ moments after Rahul Gandhi says ‘we’re close'

Chowdhury's remarks after party leader Rahul Gandhi said the West Bengal CM is “very close” to him.

Published on: Jan 24, 2024, 06:36:51 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday doubled down on his attack on chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the distribution of constituencies in the state to contest the Lok Sabha election. Targeting the Trinamool Congress supremo, Chowdhury called Mamata Banerjee an “opportunist” and said the elections would not be fought at her mercy.

WB Cong president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (lef) and WB chief minister Mamata Banerjee (right) (File Photo) (HT_PRINT)

"This time, the elections will not be fought at the mercy of Mamata Banerjee. The Congress defeated the BJP and TMC in the two seats that Mamata Banerjee is leaving. The Congress party knows how to contest the elections. Mamta Banerjee is an opportunist; she came to power in 2011, with the mercy of Congress," the state Congress president said at a press conference.

Also read: ‘Despite insults, I have adjusted’: Mamata attacks INDIA ally Left

Chowdhury's remarks came not long after party leader Rahul Gandhi said the West Bengal CM is “very close” to him, adding that the state Congress chief's comments against Banerjee on seat-sharing “won't matter”.

"The negotiations on seat-sharing are underway; I don't want to comment here. But Mamata Banerjee is very close to me and our party. Sometimes our leaders say something, their leaders say something, and it goes on. It's a natural thing. Such comments won't matter and these are not things that are going to disrupt things," Gandhi said on the sidelines of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Issue related to the distribution of seats

Both Congress and TMC are allies of the INDIA bloc that vowed to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the upcoming general election. However, the national-level commitment faces a roadblock at the state level when both parties are at loggerheads in seat-sharing.

Out of 42 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress is likely to get only two, given that it won in those constituencies in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The official seat-sharing talks have yet to take place, but the TMC has suggested they should be done based on each party's performance.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee had criticised the Congress for causing a delay in seat-sharing discussions, citing “unjustified” demand for 10-12 Lok Sabha constituencies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.