West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday claimed that only a handful of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders turned up at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dharna in Kolkata. Banerjee had held a day-long protest in central Kolkata to condemn alleged post-poll attacks on party workers and leaders following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in the recent assembly elections.
Adhikari's Allegations
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said, "The dharna was meant to show strength, but barely any TMC leaders were present. This reflects the declining morale within the party after its electoral defeat." He further accused Banerjee of staging a political drama to divert attention from internal dissent and governance failures.
Background of the Protest
Banerjee's dharna was organized to protest against what the TMC describes as targeted violence against its supporters since the BJP came to power. The Chief Minister sat on a hunger strike for several hours, demanding central intervention to ensure the safety of opposition workers. However, Adhikari dismissed these claims, stating that the allegations of post-poll violence are baseless and aimed at tarnishing the BJP's image.
Political Reactions
The TMC, however, countered Adhikari's remarks, asserting that the protest saw significant participation from party workers and leaders. A senior TMC leader said, "The turnout was substantial, and Suvendu Adhikari's comments are a desperate attempt to undermine our peaceful protest." The incident has further escalated tensions between the two parties, with both sides trading accusations ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
