KOLKATA 10 NOV: West Bengal Transport Minister Subhendu Adhikary seemed to give a clear sign of his resentment with the party after, the senior leader addressed a separate rally in Nandigram to commemorate Martyr’s Day under the banner of Bhoomi Uched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) on Tuesday .
In fact, the rally was held with not even a single poster of Mamata or any mention about Didi in his speech. Oddly, there was another TMC rally held in Nandigram at the same time at a separate venue. Besides, he was being criticised for not mentioning Didi at the event.
“Let us meet in the arena of politics and fight it out there. Subhendu Adhikary fears no one. But I will not talk politics from this holy platform of a martyr;” roared Adhikary at the rally. These words coming from the senior leader did expose another wide rift between the party just ahead of the upcoming polls. Importantly, Adhikary is not only a senior minister but he is one of the architects of the Trinamool Congress. He is believed to be one of the most enigmatic leaders of the current times with his ever-increasing popularity.
However, the TMC retort, on the same day, in Nandigram also indicated that the party supporters look at Adhikary’s defiance as an act of blasphemy.
Relevance of Nandigram Violence
- In fact, it was in Nandigram in the East Midnapore district where a bloody siege started back in March 2007
- Against the erstwhile Left regime’s land acquisition misadventure
- Ultimately, this catapulted Mamata Banerjee to power four years later
- In November that year, Nandigram saw the second round of violence
- Mainly, between the TMC-backed local population and the ousted CPI-M supporters from the area
- The banned CPI-M supporters returned to recapture the lost territory
- The event was hailed as the “new dawn” of Nandigram by Left Front chairman Biman Bose
Adhikary’s Rally at Nandigram
During the rally, Adhikary uttered Bharat Mata ki Jay at the end of his speech. This irked many TMC leaders. Also, Subhendu’s rally was attended by Firoza Bibi and TMC leader of East Midnapore Banasri Maity. Notably, her son died too at the Nandigram violence in 2007.
According to Adhikary, the protest movement of Nandigram was dedicated only to BUPC. Supposedly, in the past 13 years, the TMC leaders had failed to look after the cause of the people. Especially, the ones who fought during the Nandigram violence.
“Ahead of the Assembly elections, TMC leaders are now coming and paying respect to the martyrs’ of Nandigram violence. Will the leaders come after the election. For 13 years, we have not seen any TMC leaders in Nandigram,” added Adhikary.
Adhikary vociferously said, “No TMC leaders alone can take credit of this Nandigram protest movement. It’s a people’s movement.”
Further, he said that he is very well known to the people of Nandigram and that he needs character certificate from anyone.
TMC Rally at Nandigram
TMC organised another rally where urban development minister Firhad Hakim and Dola Sen was present on Tuesday. But, at a separate venue.
According to the TMC leaders, no TMC leader has the right to defame the party’s supreme leader. Several party leaders said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been there since the inception of the protest movement in Nandigram. Moreover, it is just not right to not portray her photograph as a part of the Nandigram movement.
Firhad Hakim, urban development minister, said, “If any leader does not want to display Banerjee’s photograph, in Nandigram protest movement, then they are trying to strengthen the hands of BJP.”
When the state parliamentary affairs minister was asked if the party will take any disciplinary action against Adhikary, Partha Chatterjee, said, “We will look into this matter, later. Till now, we have not taken any decision in this regard.”
Political Analysts Opine
Political analysts think that the difference between Subhendu Adhikary and TMC has been seen for the past few months now. Many analysts believe this is mainly because Adhikary has failed to recognise the importance of Banerjee in every party rally.
Imankalyan Lahiri, a senior political analyst and Professor of International Relations, Jadavpur University, said, “While Adhikary wants to make himself more prominent, by getting some prestigious post in TMC. The party has not yet looked after the demands of Adhikary which has irked him. That is why he is leaving no stones unturned to pressurise the party. It needs to be seen how much TMC is willing to bend to meet Adhikary’s demand. Or else Adhikary could be forming his own party and support BJP in the upcoming Assembly election.”
Political critics simply believe that Adhikary means to keep all his options open and is looking at all the pros and cons, so far.