A Trinamool Congress foundation day programme in East Midnapore has triggered a political controversy after an unexpected slogan from the stage. During the event, district Trinamool leaders were seated on the dais when newly appointed Trinamool coordinator Tarun Jana raised a 'Zindabad' slogan in the name of opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, holding a microphone. As the video surfaced on social media, it caused a major stir in local political circles. Despite attempts to explain the incident, a section of Trinamool workers has begun questioning Tarun Jana's role within the party.
The incident took place on January 2, shortly after the Trinamool state leadership announced Tarun Jana as the coordinator for the North Kanthi and Egra Assembly constituencies. On the same day, he attended the party's 29th foundation day celebration at the Gobindapur booth in the Chalti area of Deshpran block. According to allegations, after ending his speech and raising slogans in the name of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he suddenly shouted, "People's leader Suvendu Adhikari Zindabad," leaving party leaders and workers shocked.
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Clarification and damage control
After being alerted by party colleagues, Tarun Jana tried to correct himself, but by then the damage had been done. The video clip quickly went viral on social media. As criticism grew, he issued a clarification, saying Suvendu Adhikari had once been a senior leader in Trinamool and that his name slipped out by mistake while recalling their earlier political association.
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BJP reacts sharply
The BJP seized the opportunity to attack the ruling party. Kanthi BJP leader Asim Mishra mocked the incident, saying it proved that Trinamool leaders themselves accept Suvendu Adhikari as a true people's leader, and that the truth had come out unintentionally from Tarun Jana's mouth.
