Kolkata, 24 May (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched a sharp attack on the All India Trinamool Congress after the Falta Assembly bypoll results, claiming that the much-publicised “Diamond Harbour Model” had now turned into a “losing model.”

In a social media post made even before the final counting was completed, the Chief Minister congratulated BJP candidate Debangshu Panda for securing a massive lead and thanked the voters of Falta for ensuring a victory margin of over one lakh votes.

Adhikari wrote that he had appealed to voters to ensure a one-lakh-vote victory for the BJP candidate, but the margin crossed 1.08 lakh votes. He assured the people that the government would repay their trust through development and promised to build a “Golden Falta.”

The Chief Minister then launched a series of attacks on the former ruling party, alleging that the Trinamool Congress had transformed into a “mafia company” during its tenure in power. He accused the party of misusing state machinery, running syndicates, extortion networks, and promoting a culture of threats and intimidation.

Without directly naming anyone, Adhikari also took an apparent swipe at TMC national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee. Referring to a “parachuted commander,” he alleged that certain leaders had suppressed democracy and built criminal syndicates to maintain political dominance.

The remarks are being seen as a direct reference to Abhishek Banerjee, who had frequently highlighted the “Diamond Harbour Model” during election campaigns. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Falta Assembly segment under the Diamond Harbour constituency had given a massive lead to the TMC.

Adhikari claimed that after 15 years, people had finally been able to cast their votes freely and that the “real picture” had now emerged.

He also mocked TMC candidate Jahangir Khan, who reportedly secured only 7,783 votes despite his name remaining on the EVM. Jahangir had stepped aside from active campaigning shortly before the election, though the deadline for withdrawal had already passed.

The Chief Minister further remarked that this was “only the beginning” and alleged that in the future the Trinamool Congress leadership might even have to fight electoral battles against NOTA. Referring to Tripura elections, he claimed that the TMC had previously received fewer votes than NOTA there and suggested that West Bengal voters could send a similar political message in the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey