In a dramatic escalation of political hostilities in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Friday served a legal notice to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The notice demands she substantiate her explosive allegations linking Adhikari and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to a coal smuggling case.
72-Hour Ultimatum for Evidence
Through his advocate, Adhikari has given the Chief Minister a 72-hour deadline to produce all evidence supporting her claims. The notice states that failure to provide proof will compel him to initiate both civil and criminal defamation proceedings against her. Adhikari termed Banerjee's statements as "reckless, baseless, and wholly unsubstantiated".
The confrontation stems from public remarks made by Mamata Banerjee on January 8 and 9, 2026. While addressing a gathering amid protests against an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on Kolkata's I-PAC office, the Chief Minister alleged a direct financial link from the coal scam to top BJP leaders.
Mamata's Explosive Speech and Adhikari's Rebuttal
In her speech, Mamata Banerjee claimed, "Who gets the coal scam's money? Amit Shah gets it. The money goes through Suvendu Adhikari. The money goes through BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay to Suvendu Adhikari. Suvendu Adhikari sends it to Amit Shah." She also made remarks about Election Commission official Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of "vanishing votes."
Responding via a social media post on X, Adhikari accused the Chief Minister of a desperate attempt to divert public attention from an ongoing ED investigation. "Today, CM Mamata Banerjee, in a desperate attempt to divert attention from an ongoing ED investigation, made absolutely baseless defamatory allegations against me," he wrote. He asserted that the allegations, laced with personal insults, were made publicly without any shred of evidence and tarnished his reputation.
Political Fallout and Parallel Protests
The legal notice adds another layer to the intense political battle in the state. The BJP Mahila Morcha held a protest march on Friday from Rabindra Sarovar to Deshapriya Park against Mamata Banerjee. They were protesting her alleged interference in the ED's raid on the I-PAC office, which occurred on Thursday.
In his legal notice, Adhikari further alleged that Banerjee's statements were part of a "calculated and sinister design" to divert scrutiny from serious issues concerning her, her family members, and her political party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The situation remains tense as the 72-hour clock ticks down. The development signifies a sharp move from political sparring to a potential legal battlefield, with significant implications for West Bengal's charged political landscape.
