Disgruntled TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari said Thursday that he will continue to serve the people of the state as a “son of Bengal and India.”
His comment came amid speculation about his next political move following the stalemate in dialogue between him and the party, which had claimed that differences with him had been resolved.
Adhikari, who resigned from Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet last week, was seen on Thursday demonstrating here without party banners or flags.
The rally was held to mark the anniversary of the birth of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose in the Tamluk subdivision of the East Midnapore district. His followers were seen carrying the national flag during the show.
“The Constitution of our country speaks of government of the people, of the people and for the people. I am a son of Bengal and a son of India and I will continue to serve the people of my state in that capacity, ”Adhikari told reporters when asked about his current political position.
His statement comes a day after leaders close to him rejected TMC leaders’ claim of a rapprochement with him as “false”, saying he is not pacified because his complaints have not been heeded.
They said that Adhikari, an influential leader with a mass base who had resigned from Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet and other positions he held a few days ago, has argued that it is “difficult for him to work with the party.”
Meanwhile, according to TMC sources, the party leadership sent Adhikari a message on Thursday morning stating that “the details of the meeting were released after all the issues were discussed and resolved.
“Now, if you have changed your position, it is your decision,” the message said.
TMC senior leader Saugata Roy, who was among those who held talks with Adhikari to resolve the differences, said “the Party is not going to say anything more on the issue and now it is his turn to speak.”
Adhikari is said to be upset by the way TMC top leaders went to the city on Tuesday claiming that all differences with him had been resolved after a high-level meeting he had with TMC MPs Abhishek Banerjee, Saugata Roy and Sudip Bandopadhyay, as well as the electoral strategist. Prashant Kishor.
Sources close to Adhikari said they did not want details of what happened at the meeting during the secondary channel’s conversations to be leaked to the media.
He has been held incommunicado after the meeting on Tuesday night. Repeated calls to the former minister over the past three days went unanswered.
All eyes are now on Adhikari’s press conference scheduled for December 6 in his hometown Kanthi in the East Midnapore district.
Adhikari, a Nandigram movement mascot that added to Mamata Banerjee’s political clout and catapulted her to power, had resigned as Transport, Irrigation and Waterways minister last week, sparking speculation that he might resign from ruling TMC before the state Assembly Polls next year.
Several rounds of side channel talks to pacify the leader, who is believed to be unhappy over organizational changes and the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee and Kishor, have failed.
He himself, a two-term former MP, Adhikari’s father, Sisir Adhikari, and brother Dibyendu, are TMC MPs from the electoral districts of Tamluk and Kanthi Lok Sabha, respectively.
The family wields considerable influence in at least 40-45 assembly segments in West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, parts of Birbhum, mainly in the Junglemahal region and minority-dominated areas in Murshidabad.
State elections are likely to be held in April-May next year.
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