Haldia: The political landscape of Haldia has witnessed a significant shift with the recent decision of local MLA Tapasi Mondal to leave the BJP and join the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Following her defection, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has openly challenged her, stating that if she contests from Haldia in 2026, he will ensure her defeat. Tapasi Mondal has also hit back at Adhikari’s statement, reigniting their long-standing rivalry.

The feud between Tapasi Mondal and Suvendu Adhikari is not new. In 2017, during the municipal elections, Adhikari played a key role in fielding Tapasi’s own uncle, Prashanta Das, as the TMC candidate against her. This move resulted in Tapasi losing the election despite being an incumbent councilor and the area’s former MLA under the CPI(M). Now, with Tapasi joining TMC, tensions have escalated once again. While Adhikari claims his past strategies will succeed again, Tapasi asserts that her focus remains on serving the people. She accused Adhikari of discarding allies once they served their purpose, adding fuel to the ongoing political fire.

The upcoming months are expected to see heightened activity in Haldia as both leaders gear up for potential electoral battles. Adhikari plans to hold meetings with party workers to assess morale following Tapasi’s departure, while Tapasi aims to consolidate her position within TMC. With stakes high, Haldia has become a hotspot for political drama ahead of future polls.