A day after talks, Suvendu Adhikari again upset with TMC

Relations between Bengal’s ruling Triamool Congress (TMC) and its senior leader Suvendu Adhikari have hit another roadblock.

Adhikari, who had resigned as minister of transport, irrigation and water resource last week, had said he would not leave the TMC after a meeting on Tuesday (December 1) with the party’s leaders. However, on Wednesday (December 2), he reportedly messaged part MP Sougata Roy, expressing his dissatisfaction at details of the meeting being leaked to the media.

“I communicated to you (the media) truthfully whatever happened at a meeting last evening and what was decided in the presence of five people. If there is any change of mind on part of Suvendu, it is for him to decide and communicate to you,” TMC MP Sougata Roy said.

According to sources, Adhikari’s press meet on Sunday will be held as decided, only the time and venue is yet to be confirmed.

There are speculations that Adhikari is upset with the organisational decisions in the TMC. Adhikari is said to have demanded that the leaders he chooses be appointed in about  65 Assembly seats in next year’s elections, but this was not accepted by the TMC.

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Adhikari, an MLA from Nandigram, played an instrumental role in the rise of TMC. He has an influence over at least 30 to 50 seats of the 294 state Assembly seats.

Adhikari was made TMC party’s observer (in-charge) — a post since dissolved — of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, and Bankura districts, and so is quite popular among the local leaders in those places.

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Some party leaders are reportedly upset with TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, over his jibes at Adhikari.

There is also speculation that Adhikari might join the BJP.