Subhendu Adhikary to Trinamool MP Sougata Roy: no final decision on quitting party, open to discussion

By Our Bureau Published On Wednesday, November 18th, 2020, 5:38:19 PM IST Last Updated Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, 3:07:15 AM IST

West Bengal transport minister and senior leader of the Trinamool Congress Subhendu Adhikary has been the centre of speculation and discussion for the past few months. There are speculations that he may quit the Trinamool Congress and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah was asked during his recent visit to West Bengal whether he had spoken with Adhikary.

However, Subhendu Adhikary has neither confirmed nor denied these speculations. In fact, his public meetings without the party banner or representing the government has fuelled the speculations all the more. Recently, Trinamool Congress’ political advisor Prashant Kishor had visited the Adhikary home in East Midnapore’s Contai. But even then, he could not meet Subhendu Adhikary, and spoke with his father, senior Trinamool leader and MP Sisir Adhikary. It was clear that Subhendu Adhikary continues to be upset with the senior leadership of the Trinamool Congress. But how will the matter be resolved?

On Monday evening, senior Trinamool Congress leader Sougata Roy had a discussion with Subhendu Adhikary. The two senior leaders met in Kolkata off the VIP Road near the city airport. Roy had asked the state transport minister about “rumours” that he was going to sever ties with the party.

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Sources said that Subhendu Adhikary told Roy that he had not taken any final decision on quitting the Trinamool Congress. He is reported to have informed Roy that he is open to discussion. However, sources said that Subhendu Adhikary has expressed in no uncertain terms his disgruntlement about the role of Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, in the party, and that he had informed this very clearly to the party’s political analyst Prashant Kishor earlier. Kishor is on assignment with the Trinamool Congress for the party’s performance in the 2021 Assembly polls. Roy told Adhikary that he would inform the topmost leadership about his stand.

There has been considerable tension between Subhendu Adhikary and the senior party leadership in recent times. While Adhikary has attacked the party through various hints, the party too has hit back through various hints. Though the clash has not been direct or open, it has led to considerable speculation and brought out the inner tension of the party to the fore ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. Party insiders say that this has not gone in favour of the Trinamool Congress that is preparing for a tough fight against the BJP in the coming Assembly elections.