‘Mamata is not serious about the alliance… I can fight it alone, win 2 seats’: Adhir Chowdhury

'I spoke of President’s rule after they (BJP) tried to give the attack (on ED) a communal colour. The BJP, however, has no answer to my question on Rohingya,' Bengal Cong chief tells The Indian Express.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Adhir Chowdhury, who is also the Congress's leader in the Lok Sabha, speaks on these issues including the question of a TMC-Congress alliance. (Express file photo)

With the Lok Sabha polls round the corner, the constituents of the Opposition INDIA alliance are looking to step up their seat-sharing exercise. In West Bengal, however, the already strained ties between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress party have become more hostile. After recently targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over reports that the TMC was inclined to offer his party only 2 seats in Bengal, state Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury talked about the imposition of President’s rule in the state following the attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) personnel allegedly by supporters of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali when they had gone there to raid his house.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Chowdhury, who is also the Congress’s leader in the Lok Sabha, speaks on these issues including the question of a TMC-Congress alliance. Excerpts:

*You have been critical of the TMC government in West Bengal over the recent attacks on ED officials.

Chowdhury: There is nothing called law and order in West Bengal. An entire machinery of corruption is in collusion with the ruling dispensation.

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The ED has initiated this investigation into the alleged ration scam at the directions of the (Calcutta High Court). The apparatchiks of the TMC are getting exposed one after another.

It is astonishing how those scam-tainted leaders have the gumption to attack ED officials and armed CRPF officials in broad daylight. They cannot show such audacity without the tacit support of the government.

If officials can be attacked like this, you can imagine the plight of the common people and the Opposition. The Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee), who is also the Home Minister, has been maintaining a stoic silence on the incident. This is an example of the ruling dispensation’s connivance with those people (the ones who attacked).

The Congress, and other Opposition parties, have always argued that investigating agencies like the ED, CBI and the Income Tax Department are being misused by the Centre?

Chowdhury: We know the ED and the CBI are not impartial. We also say that the agencies are often misused by the central government. They try to save some and frame some others, especially political opponents. But this case is different because the investigation is being conducted at the behest of the court.

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You have demanded the imposition of President’s rule in the state after the Sandeshkhali incident.

Chowdhury: That was in response to the BJP, which had been clamouring for an NIA (National Investigative Agency) probe. I said if the BJP has enough guts, they can impose President’s rule.

The BJP in Bengal is trying to cash in on the attacks by giving a communal colour to them. The BJP alleged that Rohingyas were part of the mob which attacked the ED officials. If Rohingyas were present…who is responsible for it? The central government and the home ministry are responsible for it.

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I spoke of President’s rule after they tried to give the attack a communal colour. The BJP, however, has no answer to my question on Rohingyas. My statement was aimed at countering the BJP.

Given the acrimony between the Congress and the TMC, how is it possible for the two parties to enter into an alliance?

Chowdhury: Mamata Banerjee does not want an alliance. That is why she has let it known that she was willing to give two seats (that the Congress currently has) to the Congress. Her statements on alliance have no credibility. Had she been sincere, she should have expressed regret on the attacks that had been taking place on the Opposition (in Bengal).

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So you are saying that an alliance is not possible?

Chowdhury: I cannot say that. The ground reality is that she, according to media reports, is willing to give two seats to the Congress. Those two seats are already with us. We got them by defeating BJP and TMC. We need not seek any grace or generosity from her to win those two seats.

How many seats is the Congress demanding?

Chowdhury: We have given our inputs to the leadership. They will have discussions with Mamata Banerjee.

Also read | ED is itself an idiot, TMC protecting criminals, says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

But two is not acceptable?

Chowdhury: How can it be? For me, it is not acceptable.

I can fight it alone against Mamata Banerjee and the BJP because I have proved it. My colleague and I can fight in both the seats on our own. We don’t require any grace from Banerjee to retain the two seats.

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Have you taken a decision on the invitation given to you by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22?

Chowdhury: No. I have been formally invited with all courtesy and etiquette. But we are yet to make a decision.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will pass through Bengal. There is an open invitation by the Congress to all INDIA allies. Do you think Mamata Banerjee would attend?

Chowdhury: I cannot read her (Mamata’s) mind. It is difficult for me to make a statement on her inclination. A TMC spokesperson has already criticised the yatra, calling it “anyay (unjust) yatra”.