Heavy rain forces Suvendu Adhikari to travel by road to Murshidabad
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari travelled to Murshidabad by road on Friday after heavy rain forced him to cancel his planned flight to the
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari travelled to Murshidabad by road on Friday after heavy rain forced him to cancel his planned flight to the district, a senior official said. The visit marks his first to Murshidabad since assuming office. Adhikari is scheduled to attend an organisational meeting of the BJP at a hotel in Berhampore, followed by an administrative review meeting at Rabindra Sadan. Read Full Story Later in the day, he will address a party gathering in Rejinagar, a politically significant event in the wake of recent remarks by Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder and Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir.
Heavy monsoon showers lashed large parts of West Bengal, with Cooch Behar recording the state's highest rainfall at 143 mm in the 24 hours ending Friday morning. Officials said Adhikari's travel plans were revised after adverse weather conditions made flying unsafe. "We had planned for the leader of the Opposition to travel by air. However, continuous rain and prevailing weather conditions made flying unviable. After reviewing the situation, it was decided that he would proceed by road. All necessary security and logistical arrangements were made accordingly," the official said.
The Rejinagar programme has attracted political attention as the constituency is considered a stronghold of Humayun Kabir, who recently courted controversy over alleged inflammatory remarks. During the Assembly session, Adhikari accused Kabir of attempting to polarise voters ahead of the bypoll expected after the AJUP leader vacated the Rejinagar seat, which his son is likely to contest. Kabir, however, maintained that his remarks were directed not at the state government but at those who joined the BJP in Murshidabad after the Assembly elections and were allegedly threatening him.
Adhikari had also informed the Assembly that two criminal cases had been registered against Kabir at the Shaktipur and Rejinagar police stations, fuelling speculation about the MLA's possible arrest. He had then announced that he would visit Murshidabad within a week. Despite the weather-related disruption, Adhikari proceeded with his Murshidabad visit by road and is scheduled to attend a series of party and administrative engagements, including the closely watched meeting in Rejinagar. Ends
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