Fresh Speculation Over Shuvendu Adhikari As Shiv Sena Flags Flutter At Meeting Venue

Kolkata: A day after many political observers felt that Suvendu Adhikari had paved the way for joining the BJP by resigning as West Bengal’s transport minister, there was fresh speculation on Saturday – that he might join Shiv Sena.

Adhikari was supposed to address a public meeting at Mahishadal in East Midnapore on Saturday without any party’s banner. Hours before the meeting, the entire area was covered with flags of Shiv Sena.

The people behind the act is yet to be ascertained, but the theory of Adhikari joining Shiv Sena to beat the BJP in the upcoming Bengal Assembly was floated by some.

On the other side state BJP president Dilip Ghosh and Bengal observer Kailash Vijaywargiya had time and again said that Adhikari is ‘welcome in the saffron camp’.

BJP insiders, however, insisted that Adhikari will join the saffron brigade during BJP president JP Nadda’s visit to the state.

“Nadda will be visiting West Bengal from December 7 to December 9. He is likely to hold a public meeting near Shahid Minar. Adhikari is likely to join the saffron camp then,” mentioned the sources.

According to Kolkata Police sources, though, permission has not been sought to conduct any rally at that venue during that time.

Some close aides of Adhikari said he may visit Delhi in the next few days, while others are saying that he will hold a meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat.

The Shiv Sena contested in a number of seats against the BJP in Bengal during last year’s Lok Sabha elections, but didn’t secure any seat.

Ahead of Bengal assembly elections, due in April-May 2021, Shiv Sena have already said they will contest from some seats, claiming that BJP is the main enemy of Bengal.