West Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari holds rally at Mahisadal

In his first rally since resigning from the Mamata Banerjee cabinet two days ago, Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday (November 29) said that he will work as Bengal's Bengali and people will have the last word. After resigning as the transport, irrigation, and water resources minister on November 27, Adhikari came out publicly to participate in a condolence meeting organised in the memory of freedom fighter Ranjit Kumar Boyal, Smriti Alokey.

In his first rally since resigning from the Mamata Banerjee cabinet two days ago, Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday (November 29) steered clear of mentioning the party, focusing instead on portraying himself as “a people’s servant” who would continue to work and “fulfil my commitments to them”.

Adhikari was at Mahisadal in East Midnapore on a day when TMC ministers Rajiv Banerjee, Sujit Bose, and Bratya Basu addressed party programmes in Haldia and Contai, both on their estranged colleague’s family turf.

Addressing his first public meeting, Adhikari said, "The last word will be of the people and today I am witnessing a huge crowd. I am assuring all of you that I will work as per my responsibility as Bengal's Bengali."

After resigning as the transport, irrigation, and water resources minister on November 27, Adhikari came out publicly to participate in a condolence meeting organised in the memory of freedom fighter Ranjit Kumar Boyal, Smriti Alokey.

Adhikari addressed the huge gatherings mostly comprising of his followers who were seen holding long white banners and flags bearing his picture mentioning "Aamra dadar anugami (we are followers of the leader), without using any political party's symbol.

Sources close to Suvendu indicated he might go to Nandigram on Monday (November 30) to attend a religious programme. He has several apolitical programmes lined up till mid-December.

After Adhikari's resignation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will keep the portfolio of the Transport Ministry with her office.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that if TMC MLA Adhikari comes to the BJP, he would be welcomed in the party.