'Apologise or face action': Suvendu sends notice to Barla over 'project blocking' allegations

A fresh political storm has erupted in West Bengal after former Union Minister John Barla made serious allegations against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, prompting the latter to send a legal notice demanding an unconditional apology.

Barla, who recently left the BJP and joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) at Trinamool Bhavan, accused Suvendu of consistently blocking developmental projects during his tenure. In response, Suvendu labeled the allegations as "completely false and baseless," and took to social media platform X to make his stance public.

Suvendu wrote, “Barla has intentionally made completely false and baseless allegations without any evidence.” His legal notice to Barla demands a full apology within seven days, failing which civil and criminal action would be pursued.

Barla, during his induction into the TMC, claimed that despite becoming a minister with people’s support, he faced continuous obstacles from Suvendu Adhikari. “I wanted to work on tea gardens. I tried to collaborate with the railways to build a hospital. But Suvendu stopped it,” Barla alleged, adding, “My own party insulted me. Why should I stay with a party that blocks development?”

He further said that groundwork for the hospital project was completed, and only the MoU signing remained. According to Barla, Suvendu directly intervened with the Railway Department to halt the initiative.