The Unyielding Strength of Congress in Bengal: Adhir Ranjan Choudhary’s Impact

2024-03-30 23:26:25

Kolkata ∙ Congress has been out of power in Bengal for 48 years. But here Congress is also synonymous with unyielding strength. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which saw the rise of the BJP, the Congress managed to win 2 seats even when the left parties, including the CPM, did not win a single seat.

PCC President Adhir Ranjan Choudhary’s strength as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is one of the biggest factors in Congress’ survival. Even when the high command was interested in reaching an agreement with the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, Adhir was not ready to kneel before Mamata on the number of seats. He put forward the argument that the BJP should join the CPM so that it does not get all the anti-government votes. Trinamool leaders also accused Adhir Ranjan of breaking the India alliance.

During the heyday of CPM and later Trinamool storm, Adhir reached the Lok Sabha from Bengal 5 times in a row. He also built a flagship party office in the small town of Baharampur. Adhir, a critic of Modi in Parliament, is contesting again in Baharampur with the support of CPM. To the interview given to ‘Manorama’.

Q 5 wins in a row. What is Adhir Magic?

A Congress is fighting for survival here. We have been out of power for 48 years. I think it is our duty to keep the flame of the party going. This was not a contest between equals.

Q A celebrity like Yusuf Pathan, who is also from a minority community, is your opponent?

A Mamata’s aim is to defeat me at any cost. The objective is to divide the minority votes. If so, this will benefit the BJP. It is not necessary for the minority community to know that their candidate is a candidate who has not uttered a single word against Modi.

Q The main reason for not reaching an agreement with the Trinamool Congress?

Mamata Banerjee had a hand in naming the opposition unity ‘India’. However, seeing the current pattern, it should be assumed that there is some understanding with the BJP. There are a few reasons why Mamata left the front. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has the courage to continue with the alliance despite being arrested by central agencies. Mamata does not have that courage. Mamata may have left the front fearing BJP’s revenge.

During the rule of QCPM, the Congress members were subjected to severe oppression. Did everyone forget this?

ANever. But now the situation calls for an understanding with the CPM. The situation here is not like that of Kerala. CPM and Congress are victims of Trinamool atrocities. It’s just that the victims came together naturally.