Suvendu's legal notice to John Barla, who defected to TMC

Barla accused BJP leader of obstructing a hospital project in Alipurduar, while Manoj Tigga dismissed his tenure as ineffective and accused him of political opportunism

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in West Bengal, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has issued a legal notice to former Union minister John Barla, who defected to the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) on Thursday.

Mr Adhikari has demanded an unconditional apology from Barla within seven days for allegedly defamatory remarks made against him and fellow BJP MP Manoj Tigga. Failure to comply, Adhikari warned, would result in a criminal defamation lawsuit.

The move comes days after Barla, a prominent tribal leader and former BJP MP from Alipurduar, publicly accused Adhikari and Tigga of sidelining key leaders, including former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh. At a Press briefing following his induction into the TMC by state party president Subrata Bakshi and minister Aroop Biswas, Barla stated: "Under Suvendu Adhikari and Manoj Tigga's leadership, the BJP cannot move forward. Even a senior leader like Dilip da has been pushed to the margins."