“Playing a Test Match everyday”: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury knows who Yusuf Pathan is but says “this is politics and not cricket”

Amidst the high-octane political drama of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where every political manoeuver is a calculated chess move, Behrampore in West Bengal is set to witness a gripping political saga. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress old guard, vying for his sixth consecutive term as a Member of Parliament from Behrampore. Attempting to capitalise on natural anti-incumbency, Trinamool Congress (TMC) has filed, their surprise card, cricket all-rounder Yusuf Pathan against the seasoned politician. "I do not want to comment on anyone else. Of course, there would be anti-incumbency and TMC would want to take advantage of that, but my connection is with the people, they know me, they have supported me all these years, and they will continue to support me in the years to come”, said Chowdhury dismissing Pathan’s foray into politics.

On the streets of Behrampore, amongst other political wall graffitis, one reading “Behrampore wants its own son”, stands out, predictable as it targets Yusuf Pathan’s non-West Bengal credentials. Pathan, native from Gujarat, is being touted as an outsider by Congress. Yet, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury hasn’t taken either the election or his campaign lightly. He hits the streets early every morning, perched on a jeep braving the scorching heat. News The Truth in one such campaign trail also noticed Chowdhury’s vehicle was overloaded with bags of chocolates in tow. As he traverses the neighbourhood, he showers children and supporters alike with sweet treats, dips both his hands into the bag full of candies and then throw them in the air, towards the people. That, as he says, is his way of greeting. "This is my signature greeting. Sure, I frequent these streets, but during elections, what better gift to offer? These are children, they aren’t voters but how else do I show love to them. I am spreading love,” said Chowdhury. Little children would run after his car tirelessly, catch any chocolates as they can, pick as many as possible and stock up as much as they can.

Who is Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury?

“My political journey is a testament to grit and determination, peppered with unexpected twists,” said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Born into the tumult of Indian politics on April 2, 1956, in Berhampore, as a teenager Chowdhry had landed himself in jail in the 1970s for his alleged involvement in Naxal movement. His entry into the political arena traces back to 1991 when he contested the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election from the Nabagram constituency, where he was chased by 300 supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during polling. Undeterred by early setbacks of his political life, Chowdhury bounced back in 1996 and won the state polls from Nabagram with a 20,000 margin, the first election victory in his life happened during the peak of Left regime in West Bengal. He campaigned from jail after being arrested on charges of murder of a CPI(M) worker.

Then in 2005, once again Chowdhury was behind bars for over a month after being accused in a double murder case. Later Calcutta High Court released him due to lack of evidence. His historic win in the 1999 Indian general election, wresting the Berhampore stronghold from the Revolutionary Socialist Party, solidified his reputation as a political force to be reckoned with.

Chowdhury has always kept his family and personal life away from politics. He seldom entertains media or any media interaction at his place. He lost his daughter long back to a tragedy and few years later his first wife had passed away. Later Chowdhury got married again. Apart of these, nothing much about his personal life is there in public domain.

Cut to 2024!

In a twist of fate, Chowdhury, once at odds with the CPIM, now is greeted in by the customary "Lal Selam" slogans of the left. Leading his campaign rally for the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, his jeep flaunts a fusion of red Left flags and Congress banners, symbolizing the unity between the two parties against the ruling Trinamool Congress. Though no official alliance has been declared this time around, Chowdhury said that they have reached a "seat adjustment" with the left. "We have a seat adjustment with the Left in Bengal. So, it is the local political dynamic that has brought both political parties together,” he said.

As Adhir Chowdhury's jeep moved through the streets, women and children eagerly lined up to catch a glimpse. Kids scrambled for the chocolates he tossed their way, while women reached out and shook hands with him, giving him their blessing, and adorned Chowdhury with garlands, their enthusiasm undiminished. Unfazed by the scorching sun, Chowdhury, sported a hat to shield himself from the heat, and mingled effortlessly with the crowd, exchanging handshakes and sweets. "I don't hand out topis (hats) like Modiji," he chuckled, "I wear one myself to save myself the sun's wrath."

Known as close to the Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi has been instrumental in making him the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. Gandhis while maintaining their camaraderie with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, had equally, never impaired Chowdhury from criticising the West West BengalChief Minister or her party. Chowdhury has always been critical of Banerjee and TMC openly calls Chowdhury the ‘B’ team of BJP, for who the INDIA alliance didn’t work out in the state. He is currently the state Pradesh Congress president. While Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spent two days along with Chowdhury during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the West Bengal chapter in February this year, yet he and other congress leaders have been conspicuously missing from Chowdhury’s election campaign. TMC was irked with Congress aligning with the Left in West Bengal, the arch rival of Mamata Banerjee, specially when seat sharing talks with them had remained inconclusive for the state. While TMC hasn’t closed the doors for ‘INDIA’ alliance as yet but it is for outside West Bengal.

“There is no controversy. I get more than 100% support from my party. Without their backing, it would not have been possible for me to contest the election. Rahul Gandhi didn’t come now but he had covered the constituency with me extensively during the Yatra. The INDIA alliance is progressing leaps and bounds and Mamata Banerjee is already excluded”, said Chowdhury amidst growing speculations if the Gandhis avoided campaigning in the state trying not to offend Mamata Banerjee anymore.

Adhir- The Robinhood!

Affectionately dubbed the "Robinhood of Murshidabad," Chowdhury’s pull could be seen in the campaign trail as hundreds of people joined him every time he entered into a new village. “He is a fighter and he has always helped the people. People find him approachable and Dada would never deny them his support if it is within his capacity and even if it isn’t, he will go out of his way. Thus he is called the Robinhood”, said a congress worker rallying with him.

As he courageously traverses the maze of Indian politics, Chowdhury says he isn’t “tired and this isn’t his final innings”. Yet, in his journey so far, he's had a few missteps, notably in the lower house with his Hindi. Chowdhury himself humorously admits that his Hindi proficiency has sometimes landed him in hot water unnecessarily.

Tryst with Hindi Faux-pas!

1. Back in 2019, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury faced backlash after making a controversial comparison involving PM Modi during his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. "A BJP MP compared Swami Vivekananda with PM due to a similarity in their names...I said 'you're provoking me, if you continue I'll say you're comparing Ganga with naali'," said Chowdhury. Amid criticism, he attributed his choice of words to his poor Hindi skills, stating, "It is a misunderstanding...I didn't say 'naali', if PM is upset with it I'm sorry... My Hindi is not good…By 'naali' I meant channel."

2. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's slip of the tongue and poor regarding President of India Droupadi Murmu sparked controversy in Parliament, prompting BJP to demand an apology from Sonia Gandhi in 2022. In a viral video clip, Chowdhury referred to Murmu as "Rashtrapatni" while discussing party leaders' suspension from visiting the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "I inadvertently used the word 'rashtrapatni' just once...never meant any disrespect to the President," clarified Chowdhury amidst the political storm.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, known for his sharp critiques of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for a sixth consecutive term from West Bengal's Behrampore constituency. Despite over three decades in politics, he remains unfazed by election fatigue. Behrampore heads to the polls in the 4th phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on May 13, with Adhir facing off against Yusuf, eagerly awaiting the people's verdict on June 4. “I am here playing a test match”, he said before retiring from the campaign for the day.