Rift between Samik and Suvendu! "3 categories" remark on joining BJP sparks debate

During an event at the National Library celebrating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari made a bold statement about his political transition. He categorized people joining the BJP into three groups: those seeking political asylum, those aiming to win or lose elections, and those who sacrifice positions of power. Adhikari identified himself with the third category, emphasizing that he gave up five ministerial departments and three major bank chairmanships to join the saffron camp.

However, his comments drew an immediate response from within his own party. BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya, while acknowledging Suvendu’s fight against the TMC, urged him not to dwell on the past. Bhattacharya emphasized that Adhikari is now fully integrated into the BJP and should focus on the present struggle. He stressed the importance of the Voter List Revision (SIR) over personal histories or future candidacy, calling it the "final battle" for the party's survival in Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was quick to launch a scathing attack on Adhikari’s claims. TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty alleged that Adhikari joined the BJP not out of sacrifice but out of fear of imprisonment regarding the Narada case. He contrasted Adhikari’s actions with Abhishek Banerjee, stating that those who sell their "spine" are named Suvendu Adhikari, while those who do not are represented by the Diamond Harbour MP.