BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Controversy Over Remarks on Mamata Banerjee’s Injury

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 16th March. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari ignited a storm of controversy with his recent comments seemingly mocking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s injury. The incident occurred following Banerjee’s hospitalization on Thursday evening due to a gash on her forehead, reported by the Trinamool Congress.

While addressing a rally in West Bengal’s Khejuri, Adhikari, without directly naming anyone, remarked, “TMC’s pressure has gone down and it is falling. The fall of the TMC has just begun from the top, it will percolate to the grassroots levels.” The insinuation drew sharp criticism from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which accused Adhikari of displaying an anti-women mindset.

West Bengal Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja condemned the remarks, stating, “Such remarks against the only woman chief minister of the country reflect the anti-women mindset of the BJP. We condemn such remarks and demand an apology.”

Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the verbal attack against Banerjee as “despicable” and a display of “contemptible misogyny.” She called for a sincere apology from Adhikari, emphasizing the need for basic human decency.

In response to claims that Banerjee’s injury resulted from a fall at her residence due to a push, the BJP demanded a thorough probe into the matter. This drew a sharp rebuke from the TMC, which urged the saffron camp not to politicize the incident.

State-run SSKM Hospital director Manimoy Bandyopadhyay clarified that his earlier statement suggesting a possible push leading to Banerjee’s fall was misunderstood. He clarified that he meant Banerjee may have felt a “sensation of push,” rather than confirming an actual physical push.

The incident has reignited political tensions in West Bengal, with the BJP and TMC trading barbs over the handling of Banerjee’s injury and the ensuing remarks by political leaders.