Full story
Adhikari Accuses Former CM of Coordinating With Alleged Anti-National Elements
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday criticized former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s proposed visit to New Delhi for an upcoming INDIA bloc meeting, alleging that she is aligning with anti-national forces. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Kolkata, Adhikari claimed that Banerjee is engaging with ideological Naxals and requested central agencies to track her engagements in the national capital.
Adhikari stated that Banerjee’s political activities were a matter of concern, asserting that everyone knows what she is capable of doing as she believes in the ‘Azadi’ slogan. He directly addressed Banerjee, saying, “You are going to plan with the so-called dimagi Naxals.”
The Chief Minister declared that he would ask the Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (IB) to monitor her movements to ensure no meetings with anti-national forces occur. He alleged that Banerjee has become the chief adviser to dimagi Naxals and is moving forward with Jamaat and ideological Naxals.
INDIA Bloc Meeting Scheduled at Constitution Club
An INDIA bloc meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. Mamata Banerjee, who heads the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are expected to attend the gathering.
Opposition leaders are expected to discuss concerns over the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls during the meeting. The proposed discussions come amid an ongoing opposition campaign regarding the poll panel and electoral roll revision processes.
Bypoll Challenges and Nandigram Nomination Dispute
Adhikari also spoke about challenges to the nomination of BJP’s Nandigram bypoll candidate Hasirani Rath. He claimed that the Calcutta High Court had dismissed a Congress petition challenging Rath’s educational qualifications and seeking cancellation of her nomination.
Adhikari stated he received reports from the Calcutta High Court that the petition, filed by a signboard party against the BJP candidate from Nandigram, was dismissed. He emphasized that the court's dismissal underscores the validity of the candidacy despite previous legal hurdles raised by opposition groups.
The political tension surrounding the bypoll is heightened by personal history; Hasirani Rath is the mother of Adhikari’s former aide Chandranath Rath. Chandranath Rath was shot dead in May after assembly election results were declared, an event that has kept the Nandigram constituency in the national spotlight.
Upcoming By-Election Timeline
The political focus is now shifting toward the upcoming by-elections. The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly by-elections are scheduled for October 6, with counting set to take place on October 9. As the date approaches, scrutiny of candidate qualifications and party alliances remains intense, particularly given the recent legal developments regarding Hasirani Rath’s nomination.
