Lok Sabha Elections 2024: TMC attacks Congress' Adhir Ranjan over 'better to vote for BJP' remark

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the goal of his party is to bring the numbers of the BJP down in West Bengal and that TMC is a part of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

New Delhi: Bengal Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was under the firing line of Trinamool Congress on Wednesday after the latter picked up one line from his campaign speech where he said it is better to vote for BJP than the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

Trinamool was quick to call him "eyes and ears" and "B-Team" of the BJP, while the BJP said even Chowdhury knows "exactly how bad the situation in West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, is". Leaders from both sides shared an eight second video where the Congress leader is heard saying, "it is better to vote for the BJP than voting for the TMC."

The West Bengal Congress called it a "doctored" video and shared a longer version of the video in which he is heard saying that they will have to vote for the Congress candidate and if they do not vote for Congress-Left, secularism will be hurt while adding, voting for Trinamool means vote for BJP and it is better to vote for BJP than Trinamool. 

In the 1.01 minute video, he is also heard saying so you should not vote for BJP and Trinamool.

Chowdhury and Trinamool Congress have a bitter relationship and the former has been opposed to the Mamata-led party for long. Trinamool considers him as the reason for both the parties not forming an alliance in Bengal.

Responding to the controversy, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said he has not seen the video but one thing is clear that the goal of his party is to bring the numbers of the BJP down in West Bengal and Trinamool Congress is part of I.N.D.I.A. bloc though they are fighting separately. 

Chowdhury was speaking at an election rally in Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district on Tuesday. Late Pranab Mukherjee used to represent Jangipur earlier, while Murtaja Hussain is Congress candidate this time.

In its statement, the West Bengal Congress said a "doctored" video has surfaced in which Chowdhury is asking the voters in a public meeting to vote for BJP instead and hence a wrong perception and misinformation is being spread amongst the voters and listeners. 

"We would request you all to first listen to the full portion and then create your perception, if any, wherein Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had very clearly and proudly announced and urged the voters to vote for Mortuza Hossain and not for any TMC and BJP. What he said is : “you can trust and cast your vote in favour of Bokul who will be with you throughout all the seasons.” 

"What he meant to say is 'TMC and BJP are just the opposite sides of the same coin', both are  venomous and spread lies. Don’t at all vote for them," it added. It said the party has lodged an official complaint with the Election Commission.

Trinamool posted on X, after acting as "eyes and ears of BJP in Bengal," he has now been promoted to be the "voice of the BJP in Bengal".

"Listen to how the B-Team member is openly asking people to vote for the BJP – a party that refused to release Bengal's rightful due and deprived our people of their rights. Only a Bangla-Birodhi can campaign for the BJP, which has repeatedly insulted Bengal's icons. On May 13, people of Baharampur will give a befitting response to this betrayal!" it said.