Kolkata: The ongoing tension within the Congress party continues to brew, particularly following the removal of prominent leaders like Kumari Selja in Haryana. Now, the focus shifts to Bengal, where Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a key figure in the Congress, appears to be grappling with his position after losing the presidency of the Bengal Congress.
Since the appointment of Subhankar Sarkar as the new president, Chowdhury has notably withdrawn from public view, raising eyebrows in political circles. Traditionally, former presidents welcome their successors, but Chowdhury’s absence at the Congress headquarters in Kolkata on September 23 has sparked discussions about his potential discontent. Notably, he has yet to publicly congratulate Sarkar on his new role.
The roots of Chowdhury’s discontent trace back to his ousting as president. Many of his supporters believe he was unfairly pressured by the high command, which intensified leading up to the recent elections. Chowdhury has previously expressed frustration towards Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, stating that Kharge’s public comments during the election cycle negatively impacted Bengal’s outcomes. Under Chowdhury’s leadership, Congress had sought to challenge Mamata Banerjee, yet Kharge’s supportive stance towards the TMC leader clashed with Chowdhury’s approach.
Two key grievances fuel Chowdhury’s anger: his removal from the presidency and the appointment of Sarkar, a leader not aligned with his faction. Additionally, Chowdhury’s opposition to Mamata Banerjee has become contentious, as the Congress high command seems to favour a more conciliatory approach towards the TMC.
Speculation is rife about whether Chowdhury may leave the Congress altogether. Recently, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh suggested that Chowdhury might consider joining the BJP, although insiders close to him are sceptical about this move. Despite the turmoil, Chowdhury remains a member of the Congress Working Committee, which holds significant sway over party policy decisions.
Chowdhury, who has long been a prominent figure in the Lok Sabha and an MP for Berhampur in Murshidabad, vowed to continue his fight against Banerjee, asserting that the party has not restricted criticism of her leadership. His political journey began in the Naxal movement, and he has been a stalwart of the Congress since winning his first election in 1996. However, he faced a setback in 2024 when he was defeated by TMC’s Yusuf Pathan.
As the political landscape in Bengal evolves, many are watching closely to see what decision Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will make next.
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