The Congress party has denounced the vandalization of posters bearing party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s image outside its state headquarters in Kolkata, labeling it as an act of severe indiscipline. In a statement, party general secretary (organization) K.C. Venugopal expressed strong disapproval, noting that the party’s high command has been notified of the incident and has directed the West Bengal general secretary in charge to submit a comprehensive report.
Venugopal emphasized that acts of hooliganism and the defacement of party posters have deeply offended millions of party members and supporters. He declared that the Indian National Congress will not tolerate such public displays of defiance and indiscipline.
The controversy erupted after West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury criticized Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee’s loyalty to the opposition alliance. Kharge had responded by stating that Banerjee remains an ally and that decisions regarding alliances are made by the party leadership, not individual members. This prompted Chowdhury to express his disagreement and declare that he will not support Banerjee’s political ambitions in West Bengal.
Sources indicate that Chowdhury, who is currently in his constituency of Baharampur, has instructed party workers to file a formal police complaint and promptly remove the defaced posters. His supporters have accused the Trinamool Congress of being behind the incident in an attempt to discredit Chowdhury.
The incident has escalated into a political crisis within the West Bengal Congress, with questions being raised about the future of the party’s alliance with the Trinamool Congress. The Congress high command is expected to intervene and attempt to resolve the dispute in order to maintain unity within the party and the opposition alliance.
