Kolkata: West Bengal transport minister and arguably the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC’s) most crucial leader after Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikari upped the ante against his own party at a public rally in Nandigram on Tuesday.Targeting the Trinamool leaders, Adhikari said, “They suddenly came to Nandigram now, just ahead of the election. Where were they for 13 years?”Adhikari was addressing the public to mark the 13th anniversary of ‘Nandigram Dibas’, a day observed by the Trinamool to pay homage to the 14 civilians killed in police firing during the protests in 2007.Nandigram is located in East Medinipur and the protest, 13 years ago, played a crucial role in toppling the Left government, which ruled the state without interruption for 34 years. During the Nandigram movement, Adhikari played a vital role and since then, has established a strong bond with the locals there. He is the undisputed popular leader in that region.The event on November 10, where Adhikari spoke, was organised by Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee. The committee came to prominence in 2006-2007 and was leading the fight against the forcible land acquisition by the Left Front government.While speaking at the rally, Adhikar said, “They want to know my future political course. I will not announce my political programme from this sacred platform. This is not the place. I will speak from a political platform. I will see you at the battleground.”There was a huge crowd at the rally, which clearly indicates the popularity Adhikari enjoys in the region. It’s been some months since Adhikari distanced himself from the party. He was not using the Trinamool symbol or chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s photos in any public gathering he has addressed in the last four-five months.Also Read: Lessons From the Bihar Results on the Electoral Politics in West BengalIn a move to put a brave face and counter the feud that has now spilled over into the public domain, Trinamool organised another rally, just five-six kilometres away in Hazra Kata, a few hours after Adhikari’s rally. Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted lieutenant and minister Firhad Hakim along with minister Purnendu Bose and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen addressed the rally and indirectly attacked Adhikari without mentioning his name. “Today our main opposition is BJP and those who are opposing Banerjee are strengthening the BJP,” said Hakim.Speaking from Nabanna, the state secretariat, Banerjee paid homage to those killed during the Nandigram movement. Banerjee mentioned and thanked local leaders of Nandigram on the occasion of ‘Nandigram Dibas’. She also mentioned Adhikari’s father and TMC MP Sisir Adhikari but did not mention Suvendu and his younger brother Dibyendu.In a tweet, she said, “Today is Nandigram Dibas – the 13th anniversary of the barbaric massacre in the name of new dawn. My homage to all those who have lost their lives due to political violence across the world. Peace must always win.”Today is Nandigram Dibas – the 13th anniversary of the barbaric massacre in the name of ‘new dawn’. My homage to all those who have lost their lives due to political violence across the world. Peace must always win— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 10, 2020Apparently, the disgruntled minister went all out against his own party for not getting his dues and clipping his authority by the party supremo a few months ago. He, however, is part of its seven-member apex steering committee and also holds the post of party general-secretary.“Dada (Suvendu) doesn’t want anyone between him and Didi (Mamata). Of late, he is not happy with the way the party is functioning,” said a local TMC leader who idolises Suvendu Adhikari.There has been a rumour doing the rounds in Kolkata for some time that Adhikari is dissatisfied with the rise of Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee. However, a senior Trinamool MP rubbished such claims. The MP said, “These are baseless allegations and it is false rhetoric floated by opposition parties. Suvendu is the party’s asset and one of the tallest leaders in the party. He is a member of the party’s highest decision-making committee.”The Wire has learnt from a TMC source that Suvendu Adhikari has a problem with Prashant Kishor’s firm – Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) – taking major decisions on the party’s functioning. The Wire has reached out to the senior officials of I-PAC, but the calls went unanswered.Mamata Banerjee during the virtual meeting. Photo: Screengrab via PTIAn influential familyThe Adhikari family remains the most influential family of East Medinipur. Sisir Adhikari is the MP from Contai, Dibyendu Adhikari is the Tamluk MP, another sibling Soumyendu Adhikari is the chairman of the Contai municipality. Apart from these portfolios, the Adhikaris chair various committees and workers’ unions.Suvendu Adhikari has influence over four-five districts of rural Bengal – East Medinipur, West Medinipur, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur and parts of Malda. Thus, if he decides to exit the party, the move could have electoral ramifications in these districts.BJP leaders in Bengal have openly advised him to join the saffron party. Union home minister Amit Shah, who visited Bengal last week, dodged the question when he was asked about the possibility of Suvendu Adhikari joining the party.A senior BJP leader from Bengal, who wishes not to be named, told The Wire, “A decision on Suvendu Babu will be taken by the party’s central leadership. People of his stature won’t sit and talk to any state leaders. As of now, we have no news about him joining the party.”A Trinamool MLA, on the condition of anonymity, told The Wire, “I don’t think he will join the BJP, but in politics there is nothing impossible. He doesn’t enjoy a good rapport with Mukul Roy, even when Roy was in TMC. They were rivals of sorts. Now that Mukul Roy is the national vice-president of the BJP, Suvendu has to work under him if he switches to that party. That seems unlikely.”Some in the Kolkata political circles opine that Adhikari might float a separate political party and contest the state assembly election separately next year.
