West Bengal MPs Distance Themselves from NDA, Refuse to Attend Meeting Amid Voter Resentment

Talking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Abu Taher Khan categorically said that we are not with the NDA nor are we going to the BJP. Today also there was a meeting of the NDA, but the three of us did not attend it. Although the chief minister (Suvendu Adhikari) will definitely go to the meeting called by him as he is associated with the development work of my constituency. Also, we will not support any move against Muslims. On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also reached the Parliament House. Although no specific information was officially given about his visit, it is considered important in political circles. According to sources, these three MPs representing Muslim-dominated Lok Sabha constituencies like Jangipur, Murshidabad and Baharampur kept away from the NDA meeting in view of the resentment of their voters. Questions were being raised about their alleged closeness with the BJP. The absence of these three MPs is also considered important because the 20-member NCP Birla group in the Lok Sabha has not yet got recognition from the original anti-Speaker Om Birla group.