New Delhi: After defeat in Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, Congress has seen major changes in its leadership. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who served as the President of the Congress unit in West Bengal, has resigned from his position. The unexpected decision comes amid controversy surrounding his tenure and the recent party leadership changes. Chowdhury has voiced concerns that since Mallikarjun Kharge took over as the Congress President, many positions within the party, including his own, have become temporary.What has Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury saidAdhir Ranjan Chowdhury expressed his frustration about the state of leadership within the party. He stated that Mallikarjun Kharge publicly stated on television that if necessary, Chowdhury could be sidelined. This remark unsettled Chowdhury. Following the incident, Chowdhury asked him to find a replacement for him if needed. Despite his resignation, Chowdhury was asked by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to convene a meeting with Congress leaders from West Bengal.Heres what he said:#WATCH | Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, ...The day Mallikarjun Kharge became the party president, all other posts of the party in the country became temporary, according to the Constitution of the party. Even my post became temporary...While the election was… pic.twitter.com/FeNrNxg2zy— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024I came to know in meeting: Adhir ChaudharyDuring the meeting, Chowdhury was informed by Ghulam Ali Mir that he has been removed from presidents post of the West Bengal Congress. This revelation came as a shock to him. Chowdhury had expected the meeting to be under his leadership as the sitting president. Instead, he learned that his position had been deemed temporary and that he was no longer in charge.Recent defeat in electionsAdhir Ranjan Chowdhury had been a prominent figure in Indian politics and he served as a Lok Sabha MP from the Baharampur constituency since 1999. He was also the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha until last year. However, in the recent Lok Sabha elections, he faced a defeat against the Trinamool Congresss Yusuf Pathan. This loss was part of a broader setback for Congress in West Bengal, where they secured only one seat in the state.Who will replace Adhir Ranjan ChowdhuryFollowing his resignation, there has been no announcement of a new president for the West Bengal Congress unit. Key figures, including Chowdhury, former state Congress president Pradeep Bhattacharya, and others such as Abdul Mannan and Deepa Dasmunshi, were called to Delhi for discussions. Deepa Dasmunshi, who also serves as Congress General Secretary, has responsibilities in several states, including Kerala, Telangana, and Lakshadweep.
