West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday challenged his predecessor Mamata Banerjee to contest an election against him again and claimed that the Trinamool Congress had lost political relevance in the state, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Adhikari also challenged Banerjee's nephew and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee to contest the 2029 Lok Sabha elections against him. He accused the previous government of preventing free and fair elections and said action would be taken against those involved in wrongdoing.Addressing a public meeting at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, Adhikari alleged that Banerjee, who had left the Congress to form the TMC, was now seeking the support of the Congress and the CPI(M) to remain politically relevant.Without naming Banerjee, he said: "You should go to Delhi.
There is nothing left for you in West Bengal. You are now going to Delhi instead of staying in Kolkata.
You are trying to find a political foothold there by hobnobbing with the Congress and the CPI(M). She is now bowing at the feet of Congress to have political significance." Referring to his electoral contests against Banerjee, Adhikari said: "If you have the courage, contest an election again.
I have defeated you twice, and I will defeat Mamata Banerjee once more."Challenging Abhishek Banerjee, the chief minister said: "Abhishek, if you contest an election, I will defeat you. I will ensure that you lose by at least one vote more than the number of votes you have won by.
You didn't allow free and fair elections in Bengal. If you have the courage, contest in 2029." Adhikari accused the TMC MP of treating South 24 Parganas as his personal domain and preventing panchayat elections from being held freely.
Referring to Mamata Banerjee, he said: "Your nephew used to behave like a zamindar of South 24 Parganas and did not allow panchayat elections to take place."His remarks came amid political confrontations between the BJP government and the TMC following the change of government in West Bengal.The BJP has repeatedly accused the previous government of political intimidation, corruption and taking control of institutions. The TMC has denied the allegations.In an apparent reference to former TMC minister and singer Indranil Sen, Adhikari also issued a veiled warning to Banerjee over musical performances in which she had shared the stage with him."Those who have performed duets with him will also have to go behind bars," PTI quoted him as saying.Adhikari claimed that Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were no longer being invited to public and religious events.
He said the ruling party had earlier received invitations to about 400 Durga Puja celebrations, while opposition leaders received only around 20. "This time, nobody has invited the aunt and nephew," he said.Calling the two leaders "political liabilities", Adhikari asked people to remain patient while his government took action against those accused of wrongdoing."I know you all have a question: when will the big thief be put behind bars? Don't worry, it will happen soon; just have some patience," he said.On allegations of post-poll violence, Adhikari urged victims who had not filed police complaints to do so. "Those who have not filed complaints over post-poll violence should do so now.
As the police minister, it is my responsibility to ensure that these criminals are sent to jail," he said.He also promised to recover illegally occupied land and distribute it among poor people, particularly members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes."All land that has been grabbed illegally will be recovered and distributed among the poor, including SC and ST communities," he said.Speaking about the Annapurna Yojana, Adhikari claimed that eligible beneficiaries were receiving assistance and said others who met the criteria would also be covered.He reiterated that his government would close illegal cattle slaughterhouses and would not allow any unauthorised facility to operate.Adhikari also warned that those involved in alleged corruption in Baruipur would be arrested and brought to justice. He named BJP leaders Debasish Dhar, Roopa Ganguly, Papiya Adhikari and Sarbari Mukherjee, saying they were sufficient to take on what he called the "tukde-tukde gang".
He also urged BJP workers to counter the CPI(M) and its supporters democratically.Adhikari's address focused on his electoral challenges to Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee, allegations against the previous TMC government, action over post-poll violence and corruption, recovery of illegally occupied land, welfare assistance and the closure of unauthorised cattle slaughterhouses.- Ends