The Bengal Congress continued to criticise Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for behaving like a BJP leader, even as he complained about the Bengal Government's "non-cooperative" attitude towards Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. "I don't know what their attitude is towards the Yatra as part of the INDIA alliance. I am eager to understand more about the reasons behind their non-cooperative approach," said Chowdhury, Pradesh Congress president.

The Trinamool Congress administration, let alone participating in it, has denied permission for the Congress Yatra in Siliguri, as informed by the PCC leadership to The Pioneer. The Congress had planned to organise a rally on January 28 as part of its Yatra in Darjeeling. However, the district administration has denied permission, citing a competitive examination scheduled for the same date.

"There will be a competitive exam for recruitment in the State police on the given date, and the rally will disrupt the exams. Therefore, permission has been withdrawn," said a PCC member, quoting the State administration.

As if the "imprudence" in Siliguri was not enough, the administration has also withdrawn the permission for the Behrampore Stadium on January 31. Rahul, who is to hold a rally at Murshidabad on February 1, was to spend the previous night there.

"They are not allowing us to use the nearby ground either. While the district administration had initially granted us permission, as we had provided them with the plans well in advance, the collectorate is now informing us that they cannot provide the ground for Rahul Gandhi's stay because the CM has an administrative meeting on that day. Is this how an INDIA ally conducts itself?" a PCC leader said.

Chowdhury, who had refrained from commenting in public against the TMC in the past few days, particularly after Banerjee announced her Ekla Chalo (solo campaign) policy in Bengal and accused the Congress of neglecting her, finally spoke up on Friday, faulting the State Government for its antagonistic attitude.

"In Manipur and Assam, the BJP Governments were hostile towards us, impeding every step of Rahul Gandhi ji's Yatra. But in Bengal too, things have been no different. Right from the day we entered this State, we have been facing a hostile atmosphere. I am eager to understand why, despite being a constituent of the Indian National Developmental Alliance, they are being so non-cooperative with us. They withdrew permission for a rally in Siliguri, which was a pre-declared programme, and now they are doing the same in Murshidabad," a visibly irate Chowdhury said.

Another senior PCC leader, Soumya Aich Roy, also accused the Chief Minister of working to disturb the Congress and help the BJP. "Mamata Banerjee cannot stand by the INDIA even if she wants to because she has to save her family from the ED. You know why. She will have to take orders from them and destabilise the Congress here," he said.

However, TMC MP Shantanu Sen, refuting the Congress' accusations, said, "Adhir Chowdhury is responsible for the INDIA alliance falling apart in West Bengal. Secondly, all Opposition parties conduct programmes in the State, and nobody faces any problems. The administration must have taken the decision as there are board examinations in schools."

Political analyst BN Chakrabarty doubted, "There is definitely something brewing up between the TMC and BJP in Bengal. Such a concept may not be completely outlandish in the context of the present and recent developments in Bihar and Maharashtra."