Did Bengal LoP accuse CM Mamata of making 'false' claims about swimmer Bula Choudhury's Arjuna Award?
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Synopsis
In a heated political exchange, Suvendu Adhikari challenges Mamata Banerjee's claims regarding Bula Choudhury's Arjuna Award. Explore the controversy and its implications for both the Chief Minister and the renowned swimmer. Will an apology follow?
Key Takeaways
- Suvendu Adhikari challenges Mamata Banerjee over her statements about Bula Choudhury.
- The Arjuna Award was received by Choudhury in 1990, before Banerjee's return to Parliament.
- Political integrity is crucial in public discourse.
- Adhikari calls for an apology from Banerjee.
Kolkata, Nov 9 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, who is also a senior BJP figure, leveled accusations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday for making "false" statements regarding the "Arjuna Award" that internationally celebrated swimmer Bula Choudhury received.
During a felicitation event for Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Richa Ghosh, who played a crucial role in the Women's World Cup victory, Chief Minister Banerjee asserted that Choudhury had approached her for the Arjuna Award while she was serving as the Union Minister of State for Sports.
In response, LoP Adhikari took to social media, asserting that Choudhury was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1990, a time when Mamata Banerjee was not even a member of Parliament.
"The renowned swimmer, Bula Choudhury, received the Arjuna Award in 1990, during which period Mamata Banerjee was out of Parliament after losing in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. How could Bula have approached her for the award in 1991? There is a limit to dishonesty..." stated Adhikari in his post on X.
Parliamentary documentation supports Adhikari's claims.
Mamata Banerjee first became a Lok Sabha member in 1984 as a Congress candidate from the Jadavpur constituency in South 24 Parganas, defeating the CPI-M candidate, the late Somnath Chatterjee.
However, in the 1989 elections, she lost to CPI-M's Malini Bhattacharya and remained out of Lok Sabha until the 1991 elections, when she was elected again from Kolkata (Dakshin).
After her 1991 victory, Mamata Banerjee served as the Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Sports, and Youth Affairs in the Cabinet led by former Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao.
According to Adhikari, the Chief Minister's "false" assertion that Choudhury sought her help for the Arjuna Award tarnishes the swimmer's accomplishments.
"The Chief Minister indicated that when Bula Choudhury approached her for the Arjuna Award, she advised her to excel in the Commonwealth Games, which Choudhury indeed did. However, the reality is that Bula never participated in the Commonwealth Games after Brisbane 1982. She earned the Arjuna Award in 1990 purely on her own skills as an international swimmer, not through anyone else's influence," Adhikari remarked.
He demanded that Chief Minister Banerjee should publicly apologize to Bula Choudhury for her "false" claims.
As of now, there has been no response from the Trinamool Congress regarding this issue.
Point of View
It's crucial to present an unbiased view on this controversy. The exchange between Suvendu Adhikari and Mamata Banerjee reflects the intense political rivalry in West Bengal. It’s essential for leaders to maintain integrity when discussing historical achievements, as misinformation can lead to greater public distrust. Our commitment remains to report facts and uphold journalistic standards.
NationPress
10/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Arjuna Award?
The Arjuna Award is India's prestigious sports award given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize outstanding achievement in sports.
When did Bula Choudhury receive the Arjuna Award?
Bula Choudhury was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1990 for her exceptional contributions to swimming.
What was Mamata Banerjee's claim regarding Bula Choudhury?
Mamata Banerjee claimed that Bula Choudhury requested her for the Arjuna Award when she was the Union Minister of State for Sports.
What is Suvendu Adhikari's response to Banerjee's claims?
Suvendu Adhikari refuted Banerjee's claims, stating that Choudhury received the award in 1990 when Banerjee was not in Parliament.
Has there been any response from the Trinamool Congress?
As of now, there has been no response from the Trinamool Congress regarding the accusations made by Suvendu Adhikari.
