Suvendu Adhikari Visits Kali Puja Of Mamata Banerjee's Estranged brother

It was 7 pm, and the stretch known as former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "para (neighborhood)", was busier than usual. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had come visiting - a first since he became Chief Minister.   

As he arrived on Harish Chatterjee Street this evening, women, the elderly, and children from every house in the area came out to welcome him. Many were seen showering flowers on him. Adhikari was also seen exchanging pleasantries with them.

His first stop was the Kali Puja organised by a club associated with Mamata Banerjee's brother, Swapan (Babun) Banerjee, where he offered prayers. 

He also visited several other nearby pandals. Including Sevak Sangha, Tarun Yubak Sangha. These two mandaps are located right next to Mamata Banerjee's residence. 

Babun Banerjee is the younger brother of the former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He is also the convenor of Kalighat Sports Association and has been organising Kali Puja at the entrance of Harish Chatterjee Street for years.

Adhikari walked past Mamata Banerjee's residence without breaking his stride and was warmly welcomed by Banerjee's brother. Later, he offered prayers to the idol.

"Today is a very happy day for me," Babun Banerjee later said. The Chief Minister has attended my puja and visited a blood donation camp I organised".

Adhikari, he said, is his mentor. "Dada (big brother) you forge ahead; we are with you," he told the Chief Minister. 

This public display of rift is not new. The distance between Babun Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee had been growing for some time. 

Sources said it started well before the last assembly elections.  At one point, he even openly expressed his intention to join the BJP.

Since the political shift in Bengal, Babun Banerjee has consistently maintained that he remains aligned with the BJP.

Asked about the sudden visit to Mamata Banerjee's neighborhood, the Chief Minister told NDTV that Harish Chatterjee Street is part of his constituency, Bhawanipur. "Therefore, as the MLA, it is part of my responsibility to join the local people in their festivities," he said.

But his meeting with Babun Banerjee has already sparked political controversy. 

"We wish to clarify that Mamata Banerjee disowned this individual (her brother) as her brother long ago; they do not even live together," said Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh. "Mamata Banerjee removed him from her family circle after receiving multiple complaints regarding his conduct," he added.

Ghosh also alleged that, in connection with the Chief Minister's visit to Harish Chatterjee Street, the police forcibly removed all banners and posters on that street that featured images of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.