Mamata calls INDIA bloc her 'brainchild' after 'outside support' remark; opportunist, says Adhir

Adhir said that Mamata has lost her credibility

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury trained his guns on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, saying the TMC supremo is supporting INDIA bloc only to stay relevant in national politics. His remarks came after Mamata, who earlier said that she will offer outside support to INDIA bloc, re-affirmed her commitment to the bloc on Thursday.

"This clearly indicates that the India alliance is striding ahead and on the verge of forming the government and that's is why as an astute and opportunist leader, Mamata Banerjee has decided to extend her support well in advance," Chowdhury told reporters.

Both TMC and Congress were earlier planning to contest the Lok Sabha elections together in West Bengal but their seat-sharing talks failed. The TMC squarely blamed Adhir for the failure of a seat-sharing pact between the two parties.

Adhir, who has been engaged in a war of words with TMC leadership over the last few weeks, said that Mamata has "lost her credibility".

"She (Banerjee) has lost her credibility. She has understood the crude reality that voters are gearing towards the INDIA bloc. She has realised that she has been isolated in national politics. This is a ploy to stay alive in national politics," he said.

He further claimed that only INDIA bloc can save Mamata in West Bengal.

"Now, I think she has been able to read the situation which has been changing very fast across the nation. So, now she has been pleading for INDIA alliance because only INDIA alliance can save the country from further destruction and despair. She has woken up from her political slumber. Only by citing the INDIA alliance she can save her face and fortune in West Bengal," he said.

'INDIA bloc my brainchild'

During a rally in Hooghly district on Wednesday, the TMC chief had said her party will extend support to the opposition INDIA bloc from outside to help it form the government at the Centre.

However, on Thursday, she clarified her statement, saying that she is part of the INDIA bloc at the national level and called the alliance her "brainchild".

"At all India level, some people have misunderstood my statement yesterday. I am very much part of the INDIA alliance. The INDIA alliance was my brainchild. We are together at the national level and will continue to be together, she said.

However, she added that in West Bengal, her party will not support the Congress and CPM, alleging that both the parties have joined hands with BJP in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)