'Conveyed My Regrets...': Bengal Congress Chief Adhir Ranjan Apologises To Derek O'Brien Over 'Foreigner' Jibe

Chowdhury made the statement after the TMC leader blamed him for seat-sharing talks between the two parties not going through in West Bengal.

O'Brien had on Thursday alleged that Chowdhury was working at the behest of the BJP.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Congress Lok Sabha leader and the party's chief in West Bengal Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday said he has conveyed his regret to Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien for calling him a "foreigner".

Chowdhury apologised to the TMC MP a day after remarking that Derek O’Brien is a 'foreigner, he knows a lot of things.' He made the comments after the TMC leader accused Chowdhury of being the reason why the seat-sharing talks with I.N.D.I.A bloc failed in West Bengal.

In a post on social media platform X, the Congress leader said, "I conveyed my regrets to MR DEREK O'BRIEN for a word inadvertently uttered by me on him as FOREIGNER".

I conveyed my regrets to MR DEREK O'BRIEN for an word inadvertently uttered by me on him as FOREIGNER.

— Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) January 26, 2024

While speaking to the reporters on Thursday in Siliguri, Chowdhury had said, "Derek O’Brien is a foreigner, he knows a lot of things. Ask him." The statement came after Derek O'Brien blamed him for seat-sharing talks between the two parties not going through in West Bengal.

"Three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal – Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury," O'Brien told reporters in Delhi, reported PTI.

The Congress leader's statement statement drew flak on social media.

"How is this inclusiveness? I know @derekobrienmp and to question his nationality is really showing how intelligent this man is! Sadly such men are at the helm of decision making," Tipra Motha chairman Pradyot Manikya said in a post on X.

TMC leader Sushmita Dev on Friday told ANI, "Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been Congress (State) president for years now. What has been their record in Bengal? Had he thought of it, he would not have hesitated when it comes to seat sharing. So, I would like to say that the kinds of statements he is making are against the culture of the country. I think the lesser he speaks, the better it is for the 2024 elections."

O'Brien had on Thursday alleged that Chowdhury was working at the behest of the BJP, reported PTI.