Kolkata – Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not attending Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, accusing her of avoiding the programme to escape being overshadowed by the Congress leader.

Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Chowdhury said, “Rahul Gandhi is fighting for the voting rights of Hindus, Muslims, Dalits—everyone. When Modi is trying to obstruct that fight and opposition leaders from across the country are joining in, Mamata Banerjee chose not to go because she would pale in comparison to Rahul Gandhi.”

TMC Sends Representatives Instead

Banerjee deputed Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan and leader Lalitesh Tripathi to represent the Trinamool Congress at the rally in Bihar on September 1.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh countered Chowdhury’s criticism, saying the decision had full backing of both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. “It is our decision who represents us. Adhir Ranjan’s frustration comes from the fact that Yusuf Pathan, who defeated him in the last Lok Sabha election, is part of the delegation,” he said.

Congress March Against Electoral Roll Revision

Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra, launched on August 17, is aimed at protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which the Congress alleges undermines people’s voting rights.

The Trinamool Congress has also opposed the SIR in West Bengal, vowing to block its implementation in the state.

BJP Calls for Central Forces

Meanwhile, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar urged the Election Commission to ensure proper implementation of electoral reforms, even suggesting the deployment of central forces if state police failed to protect Booth Level Officers.

The exchanges highlight growing friction among opposition parties as well as their battle with the BJP ahead of key elections.

Source: NDTV | Reported by Rittick Mondal
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