West Bengal: BJP Reaches Out to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury After Congress Exit

While Rajya Sabha MP Shameek Bhattacharya asserted that the former Berhampore parliamentarian has no option other than siding with BJP, Bishnupur MP Soumitra Khan indicated that Mr Chowdhury may get a call from BJP but suggested him to float a new outfit.

Mr Bhattacharjee, who is also the state BJP spokesperson, said on Thursday, “Congress has betrayed Mr Chowdhury. He is a right player playing in the wrong party. One can't oppose Trinamul Congress and attack it's supremo Mamata Banerjee, staying in the Congress. Mr Kharge (Congress president) and others have made it clear.”

He added, “This was bound to happen. People of Bengal has set a binary which is TMC vs BJP. It is only BJP that can defeat TMC. If Mr Chowdhury thinks the end of TMC-rule is the need of the hour in Bengal for its next generation and a battle is required against institutional loot and unlimited greed, he has no option other than supporting BJP.”

Mr Khan said, “Having worked with Adhirda in politics for some time, I feel that he would not perhaps leave Congress immediately. If he does, he can build his own party based on Malda and Murshidabad and can place himself better. He is free to take risk as he was a five-time MP. Otherwise, senior leaders of our party may welcome him. Afterall he is anti-Mamata.”