CM Suvendu Adhikari with Babun Banerjee at the latter’s Kali Puja
Mamata had a public fallout with Babun in March 2024, during her tenure as CM, going to the extent of publicly disowning the youngest of her five surviving brothers. He has also had a controversial past during his stints as president of Bengal Olympic Association and in other sports bodies.
At least 60 Trinamool MLAs have sided with rebel bloc chief Ritabrata Banerjee, while at least 20 party MPs are now part of the NCPI bloc in Parliament. The CM arrived at the puja around 7.20 pm. In Oct 2024, he was removed from the post of Hockey Bengal’s president. In Nov 2024, after helming Bengal Olympic Association for four years, he lost the election for its president’s post to Chandan Roy Chowdhury. Babun stepped down as West Bengal Table Tennis Association’s president in Sept 2026, months after BJP formed the govt in the state.
Later, when asked about his visit, Adhikari said, “I am the local MLA. “Dada (the CM) said he was very pleased to visit the Kali Puja. I told him we will stand by him. He believes in work and will continue to do good work,” Babun said. If he asks me to join his party, I will,” he said, adding, “Didi (Mamata) does not invite me for Bhai Phota now. I will not hesitate to take action against police if these artisans face any trouble,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari’s visit indicates his intent to sever the Trinamool Congress family from its roots. Babun greeted him with flowers and touched his feet to seek his blessings. We are happy with the brief interaction. He has a busy schedule and will visit several pujas here. “Suvendu Adhikari is the people’s chief minister. I will be wherever Dada wants me to be. He is now joint secretary of Boxing Federation of India and football secretary of Mohun Bagan.
He has previously attended my Jagaddhatri Puja and blood donation camp. “I have instructed the police top brass as well as the OCs of Bhowanipore and Kalighat police stations to ensure that these artisans face no difficulty in carrying out their work before the upcoming Jagadhatri Puja and Kartik Puja, and during the festivals that will follow. What I said after the (assembly) elections, I will say today. If she invites me tomorrow, I will not go.