Kolkata: Suvendu Adhikari, a West Bengal polling contestant from BJP announced his father’s exit from Trinamool Congress. Sisir Adhikari, MP of Trinamool Congress will attend PM Modi’s rally on 24th March at Kanthi in the Adhikari Residence in East Midnapore.
In a public address, Suvendu Adhikari said,” Before that, on the 21st of March, I will send my father to Amit Shah’s rally as well.”
Veteran Adhikari has been a member of TMC since its inception. But ever since his son switched sides, he has been ambiguous about his support for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Whilst preparing for the second jab of COVID Vaccine; Mr. Adhikari said,” Who said I am in Trinamool? Does Trinamool say so? Ever since Suvendu left the party, they have been abusing my family, my forefathers. A gentleman is coming from Kolkata and calling Suvendu a Mir Jafar, a traitor. I don’t know if I am in Trinamool anymore.”
Senior Adhikari officials expressed the embarrassment and criticism he has been through during these polls.
Sougata Roy, Trinamool MP, said, “Sisir Adhikari is 80 years old. At this age, he could have retained some dignity and not become a ‘dal badlu’. His distance from the party was inevitable and won’t make any difference to TMC.”
Now, a question arises on the entire family’s allegiance. The Adhikari family has a traditional hold in the East Midnapore district because of roots there and a history of participation in the freedom struggle. If the entire family changes political loyalties, there is no saying how it would impact the Trinamool’s fortunes in the district, political observers say.