Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (ANI) NEW DELHI: Former West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Choudhary on Wednesday alleged that corruption allegations against some of the rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs is forcing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which recently came to power in the state for the first time, to keep its distance from them.However, he alleged that the BJP is encouraging these legislators to form a separate group, as this would allow the saffron party to have its way in the state assembly.Choudhary’s remarks come at a time when TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who was voted out as chief minister after 15 years in office, is facing a rebellion within the party over her choice for the leader of opposition in the assembly. Two rebel Trinamool legislators have claimed the support of 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs and staked their claim to the post.”They (the TMC MLAs) are surrendering before the BJP out of fear. All these elected representatives who are now trying to form a new party face one corruption allegation or another. They want to escape these charges because earlier it was the ED and the CBI along with the BJP, and now even the CID has joined in. The Bengal Police are also involved. So they are trying to save themselves out of fear,” he told news agency ANI.The Congress leader then invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Covid-era slogan of “do ghaz ki doori” (a distance of two yards) to explain why the BJP is keeping its distance from the Trinamool rebels.”The BJP does not want to take them in because it knows that doing so would be like getting infected with Covid. Remember Prime Minister Modi’s call, ‘Maintain a distance of two yards’? So, while keeping that distance, the message is: form a separate outfit of your own. What will happen then? It will become impossible for Mamata Banerjee to have a leader of the opposition of her choice,” he added.Banerjee has appointed veteran TMC MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of opposition. However, the rebel legislators have alleged that their signatures were forged on documents submitted to the Speaker in support of Chattopadhyay’s appointment.In the West Bengal assembly elections, held on April 23 and 29, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member House. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was reduced to 80 seats, while the Congress managed to win only two.Banerjee was defeated by her former aide Suvendu Adhikari in her Bhawanipore bastion . Adhikari has since succeeded her as chief minister, the BJP’s first in the state.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosKhan Sir Alleges Rival Coaching Attack In Patna, Police Say CCTV Shows No Evidence Of FiringTwo TMC Councillors Arrested In A Day As Corruption Crackdown IntensifiesNishikant Dubey Targets Nehru-Gandhi Family Over Partition, Calls June 3 Plan A ‘National Betrayal’Nishikant Dubey Targets Nehru-Gandhi Family Over Partition, Calls June 3 Plan A ‘National Betrayal’Jana Sena Eyes Telangana Expansion As Pawan Kalyan Vows Statewide Campaign | WatchHeavy Security Deployed As Police Probe Firing Outside Khan Sir’s Institute | Watch565 Indian Peacekeepers, Including 53 Women, Awarded UN Medal of Honour in South SudanJoint Search Operation Continues In Rajouri Forests Following Inputs On Suspected TerroristsCongress Picks G Parameshwara As Deputy CM Ahead Of DKS Oath :SourcesKhan Sir Claims Attack On Patna Coaching Centre, Alleges Firing And Vandalism123PhotostoriesKatrina Kaif to Kareena Kapoor Khan: Bollywood actresses who became mothers after 40 and broke stereotypesLalit Modi’s crores-worth London mansion is a 7,000 sq ft cricketing den with signed jerseys, lavish interiors and a private liftUttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers is now open for 2026: Everything travellers need to know before visitingLove vs ego: 7 powerful differences that can make or break your relationship7 royal palaces in India that are now luxury hotelsSummer travel making you feel sick? 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NEW DELHI: Former West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Choudhary on Wednesday alleged that corruption allegations against some of the rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs is forcing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which recently came to power in the state for the first time, to keep its distance from them.However, he alleged that the BJP is encouraging these legislators to form a separate group, as this would allow the saffron party to have its way in the state assembly.Choudhary’s remarks come at a time when TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who was voted out as chief minister after 15 years in office, is facing a rebellion within the party over her choice for the leader of opposition in the assembly. Two rebel Trinamool legislators have claimed the support of 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs and staked their claim to the post.“They (the TMC MLAs) are surrendering before the BJP out of fear. All these elected representatives who are now trying to form a new party face one corruption allegation or another. They want to escape these charges because earlier it was the ED and the CBI along with the BJP, and now even the CID has joined in. The Bengal Police are also involved. So they are trying to save themselves out of fear,” he told news agency ANI.The Congress leader then invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Covid-era slogan of “do ghaz ki doori” (a distance of two yards) to explain why the BJP is keeping its distance from the Trinamool rebels.“The BJP does not want to take them in because it knows that doing so would be like getting infected with Covid. Remember Prime Minister Modi’s call, ‘Maintain a distance of two yards’? So, while keeping that distance, the message is: form a separate outfit of your own. What will happen then? It will become impossible for Mamata Banerjee to have a leader of the opposition of her choice,” he added.Banerjee has appointed veteran TMC MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of opposition. However, the rebel legislators have alleged that their signatures were forged on documents submitted to the Speaker in support of Chattopadhyay’s appointment.In the West Bengal assembly elections, held on April 23 and 29, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member House. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was reduced to 80 seats, while the Congress managed to win only two.Banerjee was defeated by her former aide Suvendu Adhikari in her Bhawanipore bastion . Adhikari has since succeeded her as chief minister, the BJP’s first in the state.
