Trinamool Congress MPs Dipak Adhikary, popularly known as Dev, and actor June Malia attended Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s administrative review meeting in Kolaghat on Tuesday, drawing fresh attention to the ongoing turmoil within the opposition party.
The meeting, focused on the districts of East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram, was also attended by rebel TMC MLA Shiu¬li Saha. Before entering the venue, Saha made a brief but significant remark, saying, “Keep watching what happens.”
The development comes amid visible cracks within the TMC. Earlier, 58 MLAs had defied the party leadership’s decision and backed Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay as the leader of the Trinamool Legislature Party. On Monday, divisions within the party’s parliamentary wing also became apparent, with rebel MPs holding multiple meetings in Delhi.
According to sources, the MPs first met at the residence of BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav before gathering later in the evening at the home of rebel MP Shatabdi Roy. Chief Minister Adhikari was present at both meetings. Dev was also in Delhi during the discussions.
After assuming office, Adhikari had announced that elected representatives from opposition parties would be invited to administrative review meetings. The Chief Minister has argued that coordination between public representatives and the administration is essential for development work.
Tuesday’s meeting was convened to review development projects across the three districts. Dev represents Ghatal in the Lok Sabha, June Malia is the MP from Midnapore, while Shiu¬li Saha is the MLA from Keshpur.
The presence of the three leaders at the meeting has gained added political significance against the backdrop of the TMC’s recent electoral setback and the growing signs of dissent within the party.
