Rift within Congress ahead of West Bengal elections as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slams Anand Sharma

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Anand Sharma war on Twitter ahead of West Bengal elections

Cracks appeared in Congress over the party’s alliance with the Left Front and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) in West Bengal as State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury lashed out at senior party leader and former Union Minister Anand Sharma for his criticism of the alliance.

Chowdhury in a series of tweets on Tuesday asked Sharma to get his facts right and alleged that his move to call the Left-Congress alliance “communal” served the “polarising agenda of BJP.”

Not mincing his words, outspoken Chowdhury asked Sharma not to undermine Congress by remarks in tune with BJP’s agenda.

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“@INCIndia has got its full share of seats. Left Front is allocating seats from its share to the newly formed Indian Secular Front-ISF. Ur choice to call the decision of CPM led front ‘communal’ is only serving the polarising agenda of BJP (sic),” tweeted Chowdhury.

He also said that the Left-Congress alliance is determined to defeat the “communal” BJP regime.

“CPI(M) led Left Front is leading the secular alliance in West Bengal of which Congress is an integral part. We are determined to defeat BJP's communal & divisive politics and an autocratic regime (sic),” tweeted Chiwdhury.

Targeting Sharma, who was among 23 Congress leaders who wrote to Sonia Gandhi demanding organisational reforms, Chowdhury said that a “group of disgruntled Congressmen” should stop wasting time praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and focus on their duty of strengthening the party.

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“Would urge a select group of distinguished Congressmen to rise above always seeking personal comfort spots & stop wasting time singing praises of the PM. They owe a duty to strengthen the Party & not undermine the tree that nurtured them (sic),” tweeted Chowdhury.

Sharma, on Monday, had slammed Chowdhury for Congress’ alliance with the ISF and for sharing the dais with leaders of the newly formed party. He had also demanded a clarification from Chowdhury.

“Congress’ alliance with parties like ISF and other such forces militates against the core ideology of the party and Gandhian and Nehruvian secularism, which forms the soul of the party. These issues need to be approved by the CWC (sic),” Sharma had tweeted.

“Congress cannot be selective in fighting communalists but must do so in all its manifestations, irrespective of religion and colour. The presence and endorsement of the West Bengal PCC President is painful and shameful, he must clarify (sic),” he had stated in another tweet.