Kolkata: A video clip allegedly showing Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suggesting it's "better to vote for the BJP than TMC" has sparked controversy in West Bengal. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned Chowdhury's statement, accusing him of lacking ideology and principles. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), an ally in the opposition bloc, strongly criticized Chowdhury's remarks, calling him out for promoting the BJP's agenda.
Chowdhury's alleged statement surfaced during an election rally in Bengal's Murshidabad on Tuesday. The Congress party quickly dismissed the video as "doctored" and sought the intervention of the Election Commission.
Jairam Ramesh, a Congress spokesperson, clarified that their primary goal is to reduce the BJP's influence in Bengal. He emphasized that although Congress and TMC are part of the INDIA bloc, they are not in a seat-sharing arrangement.
The Trinamool Congress accused Chowdhury of being an agent of the BJP and held him responsible for obstructing the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc in the state. In response, Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused Chowdhury of preventing the coalition to strengthen the BJP's position.
The controversy comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in which the TMC won 22 out of 42 seats in 2019, while the BJP secured 17 seats, and Congress managed to secure only two seats.
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