Chowdhury Unseated: Athawale Extends NDA Olive Branch

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale invites Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to join the NDA following his removal from the West Bengal Congress Committee presidency. Chowdhury expressed dissatisfaction with his ouster, tracing it back to Mallikarjun Kharge's election as Congress president. The Congress performed poorly in recent West Bengal polls.

New Delhi [India], July 31: In a surprise political development, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has extended an invitation to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to join the NDA alliance. This follows Chowdhury's recent removal from his position as President of the West Bengal Congress Committee.

Athawale, who presides over the Republican Party of India (A), stated, "It is because he (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury) lost from West Bengal that he is being ignored and insulted. Due to this attitude of Congress, many people left the party and joined BJP."

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Chowdhury recounted his removal process, which he says began with Mallikarjun Kharge's election as Congress president. Kharge had indicated on television that he might keep Chowdhury out, sparking upset. He further revealed that his removal became clear during a meeting when he was referred to as the 'former president.' The Congress had been in talks with the Trinamool Congress for a potential alliance in West Bengal, but contested alone, resulting in a poor performance.