After snub, Kharge praises ‘combative soldier’ Adhir; he replies: ‘High command knew about decision to not ally with TMC’

The Congress leadership on Monday blew hot and cold with its West Bengal chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who is caught in the party’s crosshairs over his attacks on Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called Adhir a “combative soldier” but hours later the party issued a stern warning to those indulging in anti-party activities in Bengal and asked for a report. Meanwhile, talking to The Indian Express, Chowdhury remained firm on his stand, reiterating he was fighting for his party’s survival and would “continue to do that”.

The central leadership’s intervention — a rare such move in the middle of the parliamentary elections — came a day after posters and hoardings of Kharge placed in front of the party’s state headquarters in Kolkata were found defaced. Expressing strong displeasure over the incident, Chowdhury asked party workers to get a police complaint lodged. Sources close to Chowdhury said at least two complaints had been registered.

In a statement, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said, “It has been brought to our notice that a few office bearers and workers of the Congress have made certain uncharitable remarks against the Congress President in media as well as on social media. Acts of vandalizing the hoarding outside of the WBPCC office have also been carried out by certain miscreants. This has hurt the sentiments of millions of party workers and supporters. We are taking a very serious note of such grave anti-party activities. The Indian National Congress shall not tolerate such public display of defiance and indiscipline.”

Venugopal added, “The General Secretary in charge of West Bengal is directed to immediately submit