Suvendu Adhikari visits Kali Puja of Mamata Banerjee’s estranged brother
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the Kali Puja organised by Swapan Banerjee in Kalighat on Tuesday evening.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the Kali Puja organised by Swapan (Babun) Banerjee in Kalighat on Tuesday. The puja was organised by the Kalighat Shivashakti Sangha on Harish Chatterjee Street, located near the residence of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
According to The Times of India, Adhikari arrived at the venue around 7.20 pm. Babun Banerjee, the younger brother of Mamata Banerjee, greeted the Chief Minister with flowers and touched his feet. Babun Banerjee described Adhikari as his leader, elder brother and guardian, stating, "Dada, you forge ahead; we are with you."
The visit occurred in the Bhowanipore assembly constituency, which Adhikari won from the former Chief Minister in the April elections. Adhikari told reporters that he attended because he is the local MLA and had been invited by Babun Banerjee.
The relationship between Mamata Banerjee and Babun Banerjee soured in March 2024 after he objected to the renomination of Howrah MP Prasun Banerjee. Following this, Mamata Banerjee stated she did not consider him a family member.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that Mamata Banerjee had publicly disowned Babun Banerjee years ago and that they maintain no personal association. Ghosh also alleged that local authorities removed banners featuring Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee from Harish Chatterjee Street before the Chief Minister's arrival.
Following the puja, Adhikari walked along Harish Chatterjee Street and interacted with artisans at Patuapara. He handed Rs 7,000 to each of the nearly 80 artisans present and instructed police to ensure they face no difficulty during upcoming festivals.