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

ruling Trinamool Congress has opened back-channel talks with rebellious minister Suvendu Adhikari and is trying to address his grievances in order to retain him in party, sources in party said on Tuesday. A senior TMC leader had met Adhikari in Kolkata late on Sunday night and two had a two-hour-long meeting.

"Lots of issues were discussed. But it is t possible to divulge details. Two senior party MPs have been assigned by party to be in regular touch with him," a senior TMC leader said on condition of anymity.

Adhikari has been maintaining distance from TMC's top leaders and has been staying away from party and cabinet meetings for past few months. He has been holding rallies across East Midnapore district without using eir party's banners or its supremo, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's posters. According to party sources, TMC top brass has been sending feelers to Adhikari for last few days.

" meeting between Suvendu and senior party leader is a result of back channel talks started by top brass to retain him in party," TMC leader said.

All eyes are w on Adhikari's scheduled programme on vember 19 in East Midnapore district. Reacting to development, West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said Congress will welcome Adhikari with "open arms". "We will be pleased if a leader of stature of Suvendu Adhikari joins Congress. He would never get his due in a party like TMC," he said.

Daggers were drawn between Adhikari and TMC on vember 10 with former taking a dig at party colleagues for visiting Nandigram after a gap of 13 years before 2021 state polls. This evoked a sharp response from TMC which hit back at Adhikari for "helping BJP" by negating Banerjee's contributions during anti-farmland acquisition movement.

Following vember 10 meeting, poll strategist Prashant Kishor had visited East Midnapore residence of Adhikari on vember 12 and spoke to his far, TMC MP Sisir Adhikari. Kishor, who has been tasked with devising a strategy for TMC after reverses faced by party in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, wanted to meet Suvendu Adhikari but could t meet him as he was t at house n.

Apart from East Midnapore district from where he hails, Adhikari influences about 35 assembly constituencies in West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram districts and in parts of Birbhum district. This assumes significance as state polls are due in April-May 2021 when Banerjee seeks to return to power for third consecutive term.

State BJP president Dilip Ghosh said party is t in touch with him. "It is an internal matter of TMC. But one can be indeed happy in a party like TMC. We hope that Adhikari would clear his stand soon," Ghosh said. minister is a member of powerful Adhikari family of East Midnapore district. His far Sisir Adhikari and younger bror Dibyendu Adhikari are TMC MPs from Tamluk and Kanthi Lok Sabha constituencies respectively. 

(Im Credits: PTI)