‘I betrayed’: TMC’s Bayron Biswas admits disloyalty to Adhir Chowdhury ahead of Bengal polls 2026

Kolkata: In a candid admission ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress candidate Bayron Biswas acknowledged on Saturday that he betrayed the Congress party and his political mentor, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Biswas, the outgoing legislator for Sagardighi, rose to prominence three years ago after winning a high-profile by-election as a Congress candidate. His victory at the time was hailed as a success for the "Sagardighi model," a strategic alliance between the Left Front and Congress that managed to secure a seat after both entities were shut out of the assembly in 2021.

However, only three months after his win, Biswas defected to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), accepting the party flag from General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

A Guru "After God"

Addressing his political shift, Biswas did not shy away from using blunt language to describe his actions. He credited Chowdhury, a veteran Congress leader, with launching his career but admitted his personal ambitions took precedence.

"I am selfish. I have betrayed. I will not say that I did not betray," Biswas said. "I got the ticket from the Congress. I came into politics by holding Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's hands. I will remember him for the rest of my life. He is my Guru. Adhir Chowdhury's place is after God."

Biswas added that while he respects Chowdhury as an elder brother and accepts any criticism from him, he harbours "no regrets" regarding his decision to join the TMC.

The Opposition Responds

Chowdhury, reacting to the public confession, suggested that the electorate would eventually hold the MLA accountable for his perceived disloyalty.

"I have nothing more to say. He (Bayron Biswas) himself has admitted that he has betrayed," Chowdhury stated. "When he himself calls himself a traitor, the common people will decide how to deal with that traitor."

The Congress leader further pivoted to the upcoming contest, asserting that "there is no comparison to Manoj Chakraborty as a Congress candidate in Sagardighi."

Election Outlook

The Sagardighi seat became vacant in late 2022 following the death of TMC incumbent Subrata Saha. While Biswas remains optimistic about his chances under the TMC banner, he noted that the ultimate decision rests on the quality of public service provided to the constituency.

"Everyone wants to win," Biswas said. "But, social services have to be provided. If someone can provide better services than me, then make him win."

As the state prepares for the general assembly polls, observers are closely watching to see if the Sagardighi electorate will reward Biswas for his service or penalise him for his self-admitted betrayal of the party that first brought him to power.

With inputs from IANS