Kolkata: Rebel Trinamool Congress leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is likely to resign from the party on Tuesday held a public meeting in West Bengal's Haldia.
Meanwhile, speculations are rife as Adhikari may join BJP in the presence of Amit Shah, who is all set to visit West Bengal for a two-day tour later this week.
Sources in the BJP said Adhikari could accept the BJP party flag from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on December 18 and then reach Bengal the following day along with Shah.
BJP leaders have said that if Suvendu does not go to Delhi, he will accept BJP's flag from Shah during a party programme at Medinipur.
"It is now final that Suvendu Adhikari will be joining BJP and along with him, at least five MLAs will also be following," said a senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity.
BJP general secretary BL Santosh has already received several reports from the state on Adhikari. The state-unit of RSS has also sent a separate report on Adhikari and his area of influence in Bengal, sources said.
Though not confirming Suvendu's switching sides, BJP West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh told ETV Bharat over the phone that the Trinamool leader was always welcome.
"I have not spoken to him directly, but others are. Our party's central leadership will finally take a call on it. I can say that the joining of leaders like Suvendu Adhikari will only strengthen the hands of BJP. Suvendu is welcome to BJP," said Ghosh.
During the public meeting at Haldia Helipad Ground, Adhikari said, "I do not covet any position. People came to my meeting after leaving the ministry. No TMC, BJP, CPI(M) brought these people. My relationship with people is spiritual."
Even before leaving the ministry, Adhikari held several meetings under different political banners in different places and has not given any political messages to the public.
On the occasion of noted freedom fighter Satish Samanta's birthday, Adhikari held this meeting and he highlighted the life and ideals of Samanta there.
On November 27, Adhikari raised the political temperature by resigning from Banerjee’s cabinet. He quit as minister for transport and irrigation but remains a Trinamool MLA. He may meet Union Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the house of freedom fighter and martyr Khudiram Bose
Reportedly, Shah is slated to reach Bengal on December 19. He will offer prayers at a temple and then hold an organisation meeting with party leaders from Medinipur, Tamluk, Ghatal, Kanthi and Jhargram.
He will then reach Karnagarh and have lunch at the house of a flower grower. Shah will then meet people from different works of life.
On December 20, the Union Home Minister will be visiting Birbhum district where he will offer prayers at Tarapith temple. Later he will visit Visva Bharati and hold a meeting with Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty.
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