In a scathing critique directed at the Congress leadership in West Bengal, Abhishek Banerjee, the prominent figure within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and widely perceived successor to Mamata Banerjee, castigated the state's Congress chief, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, branding him as a "Trojan horse" within the party's ranks.
Banerjee's remarks come amidst the ongoing negotiations over seat allocations between the Congress and the Trinamool, with the latter announcing its decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently in West Bengal.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, known for his vocal criticism of the TMC, has steadfastly maintained his refusal to "beg" for electoral constituencies from the ruling party in Bengal. Abhishek Banerjee expressed his reservations regarding Chowdhury's purportedly inconsistent stance and his perceived challenges to the Trinamool's authority, particularly in the context of seat distribution negotiations.
Highlighting the longstanding issue of seat allocation discussions, Banerjee underscored the TMC's willingness to engage in dialogue, urging Congress leaders to expedite the decision-making process concerning constituency distribution for the impending elections.
Moreover, the TMC leader raised eyebrows at the Congress's abrupt shift in posture, querying their newfound insistence on engaging with the Trinamool, deeming it "vital."
Expressing dismay over Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's call for President's Rule in West Bengal, Banerjee questioned the rationale behind such a demand, particularly given the Congress's endorsement of the Enforcement Directorate's actions in Bengal while criticizing its activities in Delhi.
Asserting Chowdhury's purported challenge to Mamata Banerjee's authority as a member of the INDIA bloc, Banerjee refrained from launching personal attacks, characterizing Chowdhury as a disruptive influence within the Congress's hierarchy.
Banerjee further pondered whether Chowdhury's actions were ultimately serving to bolster the Congress or inadvertently aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning the strategic implications of his confrontational approach.
In light of Chowdhury's perceived defiance towards Mamata Banerjee, whom the Congress considers a pivotal ally within the INDIA bloc, Banerjee called attention to the paramount importance of unity within the opposition ranks, urging Chowdhury to reconsider his antagonistic stance.
Banerjee also criticized the protracted delay in finalizing seat-sharing arrangements, stressing the imperative of prompt resolution. Despite repeated appeals for expeditious decision-making, the protracted nature of the negotiations has resulted in unfortunate delays, lamented Banerjee, underscoring the urgent need for a swift resolution to the impasse.
