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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari alleged that CM and TMC chief Banerjee called up Union Home minister Amit Shah after her party lost national status
Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to go front foot against Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s allegations seems to have put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the back foot.
Addressing a rally at Singur in Hooghly district, Adhikari had alleged that the Bengal CM had called Union Home minister Amit Shah after the Election Commission of India (ECI) revoked TMC’s national party status. He claimed that Bengal’s CM had requested HM Shah to repeal the decision.
Firing on all cylinders, Banerjee said, “Recently, I heard news being played on media channels wherein an opposition leader in Singur claimed that after TMC’s national status was taken away, I had called up the Union Home Minister four times. I am appalled by these remarks that are being run non-stop on media channels.”
“I challenge the person who made this claim to prove it. And if he can, I will resign from the post of chief minister. If his claims are proven wrong, will the BJP leader resign and accept defeat?” TMC supremo hits back.
On April 10, the Election Commission of India (ECI) derecognised TMC as a national party based on its actual poll performance. ECI stated that TMC will function as a state-recognised party in West Bengal and Tripura in continuation up to 2024. TMC will also be recognised as a state party in Meghalaya.
Despite the ECI’s decision to revoke its status as a national party, Banerjee said that her party’s name will remain the All India Trinamool Congress.
Meanwhile, TMC RS MP Derek O’Brien wrote a letter to Adhikari, calling his allegations “false, incorrect and vexatious claims”.
Translating a part of Adhikari’s speech at Singur, O’Brien wrote, “It has come to our notice that yesterday (April 18) at a public rally in Singur, you have said the following words: She called him four times and fell at his feet. She fell at his feet over a phone call. She asked if her national status could be kept until 2024 or not. Amit Shah said that no, such national status cannot be retained. You have not received votes and our Election Commission is not like your Sourav Das. Bound by laws, you have gone beyond the law, that is why you are no longer all India, you are restricted within the territories of West Bengal.”
“Under such circumstances, we call upon you to immediately withdraw such a false statement, failing which we shall be constrained to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against you and Amit Shah, who needlessly shall be drawn into a serious litigation for the such falsehood of yours,” the letter read.
