"Mamata Banerjee Will Be Left All Alone": Amit Shah Welcomes Trinamool Rebels

Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed high-profile Trinamool Congress rebel Suvendu Adhikari and several others to the BJP on Saturday at a mega rally in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur, sparing no shot at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“Why are so many people leaving Trinamool Congress? Because of the misrule, corruption and nepotism of Mamata Banerjee. Didi, this is just the beginning. By the time elections come, you will be left all alone,” he said.

Besides Mr Adhikari, nine other MLAs from various parties and Trinamool MP Sunil Mondal joined the BJP in Mr Shah’s presence. The former BJP chief reiterated that the party would form the next government in the state with more than 200 seats. West Bengal has a 294-member assembly.

Both Mr Shah and Mr Adhikari referred to growing discontent among the people and the party about the rise of Ms Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Mr Adhikari even gave the slogan, “Bhaipo Hatao (Remove The Nephew)”.

“I have a long association with Amit Shah ji. I have been loved like a brother by the BJP. When I was afflicted by COVID-19, no one from the TMC for whom I have given my life, asked me how I was. But Amit Shah did, twice,” Mr Adhikari said in his speech.

The Trinamool dissident first resigned from the cabinet on November 27 and then from the party on December 16. His associates have promised a “political storm more fierce than Cyclone Amphan” to sweep across Bengal from Darjeeling to Digha” that will usurp Ms Banerjee’s government.