File photo of Congressional Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
Things look tough now as Chowdhury is also the congressional leader in Lok Sabha, which means he needs to reach out to other opposition parties.
- CNN-News18
- Last update: September 10, 2020 9:03 AM IST
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The congressional appointment in Bengal could resonate in Parliament starting next week after the first setback to opposition unity came with an absence of them for the vice president elections in Rajya Sabha.
But now, all eyes are on the vice president position at Lok Sabha, as both the Trinamool Congress and the leader of Congress, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, have made it clear that the position must be filled. However, here too there could be another shame or obstacle to the Opposition, the genesis is bad blood between the Bengal units on both sides.
Right after the stormy CWC meeting, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had started a Chief Ministers’ meeting on the subject of economics, GST, NEET and JEE. The bonhomie between Sonia Gandhi and Banerjee was evident, but does not seem to last long due to Chowdhury’s announcement as head of Pradesh before the Bengal elections.
The position became vacant after his predecessor Somen Mitra recently passed away. Chowdhury is known to be stridently against the TMC and in fact it was his suggestion to Rahul Gandhi to join the left for state elections last time. The results were a disaster for the combined Left-Congress and Trinamool, and especially Banerjee, he has never forgiven him.
It is also well known that, unlike Sonia, Banerjee does not share a good equation with Rahul Gandhi. In fact, she has stated that Rahul Gandhi would need more time and that she feels more comfortable doing business with Sonia Gandhi. There have been occasions when Banerjee has attended all of the party meetings called by Sonia Gandhi but has skipped when she did not attend.
Aside from this, Rahul Gandhi’s fondness for leftist leader Sitaram Yechury has also irritated Banerjee and TMC. It is also known that Congress was disappointed that Yechury was unable to gain support for the re-election of Rajya Sabha as his own party did not support him. Rahul Gandhi’s bullies in Congress are upset that he considers Yechury his guru and seeks his advice more than his party colleagues.
Things look tough now as Chowdhury is also the congressional leader in Lok Sabha, which means he needs to reach out to other opposition parties. But as head of the PCC, this puts him in direct conflict. Sources say Chowdhury supporters feel that the argument that he cannot be head of the CCP and leader in Lok Sabha is a fallacy, as Pranab Mukherjee previously held both positions.
But Chowdhury’s critics are quick to point out that there is a big difference between the two leaders. The message with the appointment of Chowdhury as head of the CCP is clear to Trinamool. But this is destined to extend beyond the state. Congress hopes that with the maximum number of deputies it has among opposition parties, it could and should have a voice and a choice in the position of vice president.
However, Trinamool is unlikely to allow it, given the fact that an enemy of Banerjee has been appointed head of the PCC. Furthermore, most opposition parties, such as the YSR Congress, the SP and even the DMK, are not happy with the style of Congress and could ensure that the congressional election is spoiled.
As a senior TMC leader put it, “Chowdhury’s election shows that Congress does not want to show the same softness toward TMC that Mamata showed toward them recently.”
In politics, for a long-term plan, it is sometimes worth giving up short-term and immediate ambitions. Congress, it seems, has yet to learn this game.
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