“The three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal: 1. Adhir Chowdhury 2. Adhir Chowdhury 3. Adhir Chowdhury”: TMC blames Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the political fallout in Bengal

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out the possibility of an alliance with Congress in Bengal, Trinamool Congress on Tuesday blamed Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the fallout in the INDIA alliance in Bengal. “The three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal: 1. Adhir Chowdhury 2. Adhir Chowdhury 3. Adhir Chowdhury,” said TMC MP Derek O’Brien.

"INDIA alliance has two main detractors: BJP and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. He speaks the language of the BJP. The three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal: 1. Adhir Chowdhury 2. Adhir Chowdhury 3. Adhir Chowdhury,” said Derek O’Brien, addressing reporters in Delhi.

Trinamool Congress has alleged that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury acts at the behest of the BJP. "The voice is his, but the words are being dictated to him by the duo in Delhi. In the past two years, Adhir Chowdhury has spoken the language of the BJP. Not once has he raised the issue of Bengal being deprived of central funds," said O’Brien. He further stated that the Congress state president of Bengal has time and again held press conferences to “belittle” Mamata Banerjee and “barely speaks against BJP leaders", even after the formation of the INDIA alliance.

"After the general elections, if the Congress does its job and defeats the BJP on a substantial number of seats, the Trinamool Congress will very much be a part of the front that believes and fights for the Constitution and plurality," said Derek O’Brien leaving the door open for an alliance after the general elections.

Trinamool Congress Supremo, Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that her party would fight solo, denouncing the idea of an alliance with Congress in the state. “We have decided that TMC will go alone and have no alliance as far as Bengal is concerned,” said Banerjee.

Although Congress leader Jairam Ramesh extended an olive branch to Trinamool Congress, underscoring the pivotal role played by Mamata Banerjee in bringing the INDIA alliance together, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was quick to take a jibe at Mamata Banerjee calling her an “opportunist.” “This time, the elections will not be fought at the mercy of Mamata Banerjee. The Congress defeated the BJP and TMC in the two seats that Mamata Banerjee is leaving. The Congress party knows how to contest the elections. Mamta Banerjee is an opportunist; she came to power in 2011, with the mercy of Congress," said the Congress state president of Bengal.

As the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Coochbehar on Thursday for its Bengal leg, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “I am happy to have come to West Bengal. We have come here to listen to you and stand with you. BJP-RSS are spreading hatred, violence and injustice. So, INDIA formation is going to fight the injustice together.” However, Rahul Gandhi and the yatra entourage were greeted into the state by a group of TMC supporters who had gathered on the streets donning placards that read, “Didi is enough for Bengal.”​