Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury thinks TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee The highly polarized West Bengal is a “casual beneficiary” of the assembly elections and not just an “anti-Modi face” capable of taking on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections. Choudhary also defends the TMC supremo’s frequent criticism, calling it the right decision for the benefit of his party.
Talking about the prospects of a broader anti-BJP alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the leader of the Congress party in the House insisted that no opposition front can succeed without the participation of the Congress. “Elections in West Bengal this time were highly polarized over communal and regional identity. People of the state who didn’t want BJP voted in favor of TMC. Communal rhetoric and politics of intimidation and intimidation of BJP leadership is only of Mamata Banerjee helped.
“Without taking away credit for the fight he fought, I would say he is a casual beneficiary in these elections,” Choudhary said in an interview.
Admitting that the TMC’s victory was “splendid”, the Congress veteran said, however, that several regional opposition leaders had helped their parties win over the BJP. “It is true that he has fought against the BJP and its election machinery. It is a resounding victory, no doubt about it. But at the same time, he is not the only regional leader who has defeated the BJP. Arvind Kejriwal, Lalu Prasad Yadav, MK Stalin, Pinarayi Vijayan have also done the same. So, to say that she is the only (credible opposition) face (who can counter BJP’s might) would be an injustice to others.”
The West Bengal Congress chief dismissed suggestions from a section of people in his party that he was more vocal against Banerjee than the BJP. “I have been vocal against both TMC and BJP. Yes, I had to attack TMC when I saw that they are destroying my Bengal unit by poaching our representatives. Whatever I have done, I have done for my party. I have no personal enmity with Mamata Banerjee.
He chose not to answer the question as to why the top Congress leadership refrained from attacking Banerjee and largely stayed away from the election campaign. Chowdhury, however, said that if the Congress party forges an alliance with the TMC in future, the state unit will “loosen its momentum” against Banerjee.
Responding to a question about the intention of some opposition parties to forge an alliance against the BJP, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) member said, “No opposition alliance will succeed without the presence of the Congress.”
“The political scenario of our country is such that no opposition alliance against the BJP can succeed without the Congress. The Congress is still the largest opposition party in the country with a pan-India presence.”
On his party’s defeat in the assembly elections in West Bengal, Chowdhury said the elections were completely polarized on communal and regional lines, but expected the Congress, which ruled the state for more than two decades since independence. , will be alive again. soon.
Choudhary said the Sitalkuchi incident in Cooch Behar, where four Muslims were killed in firing by central forces during polling, polarized the minority voters. “The Sitalkuchi incident further polarized as voters in Malda, Murshidabad (considered a Congress stronghold) also voted for TMC,” he said.
The Congress fought the assembly elections in alliance with the CPM and Muslim cleric Abbas Siddiqui’s ISF. Barring the ISF, which secured one seat, the CPM-led Left Front and the Congress failed to open their account in the assembly elections for the first time.
When asked whether the Congress would forge an alliance with CPM and ISF in future, Choudhary categorically said, “There is no relation with ISF. We never had any relationship with ISF. It was CPM which has made its alliance with them.” Seats were shared. ISF had fielded candidates against us in many seats. In future also we will not have any relation with ISF.
Responding to a question about recent media reports that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to replace him as the leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Chowdhury said he was not aware of any such move. is.
“I am not aware of any such development. I am a loyal soldier of the party. Whatever duty it assigns me, I will do my best. If Rahul Gandhi replaces me as the leader of our party in Lok Sabha, I will be most happy.”
Lauding Rahul Gandhi’s leadership qualities, Choudhary said the BJP deliberately tries to malign him as it “fears” him. Every time there is a failure, everyone starts questioning Rahul Gandhi. The fact is that these failures are a collective responsibility. The Congress party has been on the decline since the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. So why only Rahulji? He said.
Speaking about Congress leaders quitting the party, with former President Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijeet being the latest addition, Chowdhury wondered whether his quitting or joining the party would make a difference.
“Everyone is free to make their own decisions. But Abhijit Mukherjee leaving the party will not have any effect. He was the head of the state’s campaign committee during the election. You can’t show me a single statement of him criticizing BJP or TMC during elections.
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