Kolkata, 12 March (H.S.) –
The West Bengal Assembly witnessed high drama on Wednesday as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari without directly naming him. The confrontation erupted over a censure motion brought by the ruling party against Adhikari’s recent remarks. However, Adhikari was absent from the Assembly as he has been suspended. Instead, he was leading a protest outside with BJP MLAs.
During her speech, Mamata targeted Adhikari’s alleged ambitions, stating, “He is doing all this to become the president! Does one have to fight to become a president? The deserving person gets the position.” Her remarks seemed to be aimed at the ongoing discussions within the BJP regarding the appointment of a new state president.
The BJP has initiated the process of selecting a new national president, and discussions are also underway about a leadership change in West Bengal. Sources indicate that Adhikari is among the contenders for the post. He has reportedly traveled to Delhi multiple times for discussions with central leaders. However, the BJP’s ‘one person, one post’ policy has fueled speculation over whether Adhikari would have to relinquish his role as Opposition Leader if appointed as state president.
Responding to Mamata’s remarks, Adhikari countered, “This is not Trinamool. This is BJP, where the president is chosen through an electoral process. In our party, leaders are consulted before assigning responsibilities. There is no need to respond to her comments. The truth is, she still hasn’t gotten over her 2021 defeat by 1,956 votes.”
Earlier, the BJP staged a protest in the Assembly against Adhikari’s suspension. Wearing black attire, BJP MLAs opposed the censure motion introduced by state minister Golam Rabbani, arguing that discussing Adhikari’s statements in his absence was unfair. Their protests intensified as Mamata began her speech, leading Speaker Biman Banerjee to intervene. “You are allowed to protest, but you must also listen,” he told the BJP legislators.
BJP’s chief whip Shankar Ghosh accused Mamata of attacking a political rival who wasn’t present to defend himself. He remarked, “She is trying to score a goal on an empty field. She herself led the destruction of the Assembly building in the past. Why is she now bringing a motion against Adhikari?”
Mamata responded sharply, saying, “If I say something outside, you can discuss it here. Then why shouldn’t there be discussions on what Adhikari has said?” She dismissed allegations that she had ever damaged Assembly property and challenged the opposition to provide proof.
As tensions escalated, BJP MLAs walked out of the Assembly, chanting slogans against the ruling party. Adhikari later led a protest outside, further intensifying the political battle between Trinamool and BJP in West Bengal.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
