'Wants To Finish Our Party': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Continues To Slam Ally Mamata Banerjee Despite Rebuke From Kharge

West Bengal Congress Chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made a veiled criticism of Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, stating he cannot support someone who "wants to finish me politically and our party" in the state, as reported by India Today.

His remarks followed a rebuke from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who emphasised that Chowdhury has no authority to decide whether Banerjee should remain a member of the Opposition-led INDI Alliance.

"I cannot endorse someone who aims to politically destroy me and our party in Bengal. This is a battle for every Congress worker. I have spoken on their behalf," said Chowdhury, the Congress candidate for Baharampur, who is contesting against Trinamool Congress's Yusuf Pathan in the Lok Sabha elections.

Chowdhury clarified that his opposition to Banerjee is based on principles rather than personal animosity. "There is no personal grudge, but I question her political ethics," he said.

Responding to Kharge's remarks, Chowdhury stated, "I don’t want the state Congress to be used for her (Mamata Banerjee's) personal agenda and then see our organisation destroyed. If Kharge ji disagrees with my views, I will continue to represent the grassroots Congress members in the state."

Previously, Chowdhury expressed distrust towards Banerjee, accusing her of potentially aligning with the BJP after distancing herself from the INDI Alliance. He also alleged that Banerjee had sought help from Maoists to undermine the Left in the districts of Purulia, Bankura, and Jhargram, only to abandon them later.

On Saturday (18 May), Kharge disapproved of Chowdhury's comments about Banerjee during a joint press conference with Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai.

"Mamata Banerjee is part of the alliance. She has recently indicated her willingness to join the government. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury does not have the authority to make decisions. The decisions will be made by me and the high command. Those who disagree will be excluded," Kharge said.

Trinamool Congress leader and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also asserted that the clarification and rebuttal to Chowdhury should have been issued much earlier, especially with the elections approaching.

"Mamata Banerjee has made it clear that TMC is and will remain part of the INDI Alliance. Bengal Congress and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury repeatedly attack Mamata Banerjee, inadvertently supporting the BJP. Mallikarjun Kharge should have addressed this earlier," Ghosh stated.