Nandigram (West Bengal): A video clip of BJP MP Locket Chatterjee with TMC's Lok Sabha member Sisir Adhikari went viral in which the former claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee filed the nomination from the Nandigram constituency in order to hamper the political career of his son- Suvendu Adhikari.
However, Sisir Adhikari, on his part, told reporters that two of his sons are BJP members, and "Locket visiting his residence should not surprise anyone. Why should anyone have their eyebrows raised when a leader makes a courtesy visit?"
Locket, on Saturday, visited the residence of TMC's Lok Sabha member who is also the father of political heavyweight and the saffron party's Nandigram candidate Suvendu Adhikari, raising speculation that the veteran leader might switch camp ahead of the Bengal assembly polls.
Chatterjee, who had lunch at the Adhikari residence at Contai, stressed that it was a "courtesy call", and Sisir Adhikaris political move was not discussed during the meeting, even as political corridors went abuzz with murmurs that the TMC MP might join the saffron camp during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state later this month.
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"It was a courtesy lunch. Sisir Da is a senior politician and the Adhikari family is synonymous with Medinipur (of which Nandigram is a part). He had once praised my Lok Sabha speech. We share a good rapport. He requested me to visit him again," the BJP leader said.
She, however, clarified that the BJP would welcome the TMC MP with open arms if he decides to join the party.