Mamata's Trinamool uneasy as heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari holds march without party flag

Days after issuing a clarification that he is a part of Trinamool Congress and is t quitting party, transport minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari conducted a march in Nandigram area in East Midnapore district on Tuesday without party banner. Speaking to media, he said that he is fighting for "democracy". Adhikari took out a march in Khejuri area to pay respects to people who died during Nandigram anti-land acquisition agitation. Nandigram was epicentre of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's land movement in 2007 and it was from here that she began her journey to seize power in state from CPI(M).

"I had fought against goons during Nandigram agitation single-handedly. All my life, I had fought for democracy and will continue to do so. masses are with me. I have been part of mass movements all my life," he said while addressing a rally in Khejuri.

Incidentally just like his vember 10 rally at Nandigram, this time too re were neir party posters r flags at his rally. When asked about Adhikari's rally, senior TMC leader Sougata Roy said Adhikari is very much with party. "You should have seen his procession and understood that he would t do anything against party. He is very much with party," he said. Roy has been tasked with job of holding talks with Adhikari, and he has held several meetings with him, as per PTI. Adhikari holds influence in about 35 assembly constituencies in West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram and Birbhum districts. While Suvendu himself is very influential, his far Sisir Adhikari and younger bror Dibyendu Adhikari are TMC MPs from Tamluk and Kanthi Lok Sabha constituencies respectively. 

READ | TMC Heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari Says 'still Part Of Trinamool', Amid Rumours Of Quitting

Adhikari's clarification

Earlier on vember 14, Adhikari assured that he was still a part of party and cabinet. Adhikari, addressing an apolitical rally in East Midnapore, said that he had plans of quitting party, unless he is expelled. “I am still an active primary member of party. I am still a minister and part of cabinet. Neir has chief minister sacked me, r have I quit on my own. I am here as long as higher authorities don’t expel me or I leave,” he said at 67th National Cooperative Week function in East Midnapore.

READ | TMC opens back channel talks with Suvendu Adhikari, tries to pacify him

What happened between Adhikari & Trinamool?

On  'Nandigram Diwas', Adhikari had lashed out saying, "After 13 years, a few people are w coming here as elections are approaching. I want to tell m if y are coming before polls, y will have to come after elections too". rally held to pay respect to martyrs of Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC), did t have posters of Banerjee or TMC flags. With six TMC MLAs on-st with Adhikari, he added, "Whatever I will have to say regarding my next course of action, I will say from a political platform. I will say everything but t from this pious st."

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Retorting to Adhikari's veiled threats, TMC MLA Firhad Hakim and party MP Dola Sen blamed Adhikari for 'strengning BJP', without mentioning him. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, who has been roped by Mamata Banerjee for her re-elction bid, visited Adhikari's East Midnapore residence and spoke to his far, TMC MP Sisir Adhikari. He wanted to meet Suvendu Adhikari but could t meet him as he was t at house n. 

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