West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday renewed his allegations regarding Mamata Banerjee’s leg injury during the 2021 Assembly election campaign in Nandigram, claiming that the incident had been misrepresented at the time.

Speaking at a press conference at Nabanna, Adhikari displayed a medical report from the Bangur Institute of Neurosciences concerning Banerjee’s treatment following her injury on March 10, 2021. He pointed to a radiology report dated March 11, 2021, which, according to him, states: “No evidence of fracture of leg dislocation.”

Adhikari said he would not elaborate further because the matter was under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Referring to his remarks during campaigning in Nandigram, Adhikari alleged that false claims had been made about the incident and said the matter would be pursued after the Model Code of Conduct was lifted.

“The CID is investigating the matter,” he said, adding that he would provide further details after October 9. He also said that action could be considered in connection with what he described as false allegations.

Adhikari had made similar allegations while campaigning in Nandigram a day earlier. He reiterated at Nabanna that he was withholding further details because the election code was currently in force.

Mamata’s 2021 Nandigram injury

Mamata, who was then the Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister, contested the 2021 Assembly election from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. On March 10, 2021, while preparing to file her nomination in Nandigram, she suffered an injury to her left leg.

She was subsequently taken to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where her injured leg was placed in a cast. During the subsequent election campaign, Banerjee was frequently seen campaigning from a wheelchair and participated in roadshows across different parts of the state.

At the time, the Trinamool Congress alleged that the injury was the result of an attack and blamed the BJP. The then West Bengal government handed the investigation over to the CID.

CID investigation remains ongoing

Adhikari’s latest remarks have brought the 2021 incident back into the political spotlight. While presenting the medical document, he referred to the existing CID investigation and said he would places the episode at the centre of political debate. Adhikari has said that he will disclose further details and indicate the next course refrain from making further comments until the election process was over.

He indicated that the government could initiate further action or inquiry after the Model Code of Conduct ceases to apply.

Subsidised foodgrain scheme for Durga Puja

At the same press conference at Nabanna, Adhikari announced an expanded subsidy programme for essential food items during Durga Puja.

Under the scheme, flour, sugar and semolina (suji) will be made available to eligible ration beneficiaries at subsidised rates. Adhikari said the programme would be expanded from around 50 lakh families, covering approximately four crore people, to around two crore families, covering more than eight crore people.

The state government has allocated an additional Rs 150 crore to the Food Department for the scheme.

According to the announcement, flour will be supplied at Rs 19 per kilogram, while sugar will be available at Rs 30 per kilogram under the subsidised arrangement.

Adhikari said the government had increased its subsidy from 20 per cent to 50 per cent and that the tender process for flour and sugar had already been completed.

The exchange over Banerjee’s 2021 injury comes as campaigning in Nandigram once again places the episode at the centre of political debate. Adhikari has said that he will disclose further details and indicate the next course of action after the election process and the Model Code of Conduct come to an end.