Nearly a month after political heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari quit the TMC and joined the BJP, his father and Bengal's ruling party MP Sisir Adhikari was on Tuesday removed from the post of chairman of Digha Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA).
TMC MLA Akhil Giri, known to be a detractor of Suvendu and his family, replaced Sishir Adhikari as the chief of DSDA -- which is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the beach town in Purba Medinipur.
"He did not do anything as the chairman of the DSDA and was hence removed," Mr Giri said.
Mr Adhikari is the district president of the ruling party in Purba Medinipur.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the legislator was "not being able to perform as the chairman of the agency".
"Sisir-da is a veteran leader. Maybe, he was unwell. But we were pained when he did not utter any word against his sons Suvendu and Soumendu who had been constantly attacking the TMC after switching over to the BJP," Mr Ghosh said.
Senior TMC leader and minister Firhad Hakim, however, claimed that the moment MrAdhikari senior "recovers from his ailments", he would be reappointed as chairman of DSDA.
The 80-year-old TMC MLA, however, remained unfazed about the development. "They can do whatever they want. I am not bothered. This is a blatant display of power," he said.
According to sources, Mr Adhikari had informed his close associates that he was unhappy with the way party leaders have been attacking his family.
Mr Suvendu crossed over to the BJP in December, and later helped his brother Soumendu switch sides, after he was removed as the administrator of Kanthi Municipality. His younger brother Dibyendu Adhikari is an MP from Tamluk Lok Sabha seat.
"Those who have removed him will be thrown out of power in the next assembly polls," Mr Suvendu said following his father's removal as DSDA chairman.
BJP national vice president Mukul Roy said the octogenarian can join the saffron camp if he wishes to.
"Suvendu and Soumendu have already joined the BJP. It is one family after all. We are hopeful that Sisir Adhikari will also join us. He is a veteran leader," Mr Roy added.
The political family gave Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's rally in their stronghold West Medinipur district last month a miss, prompting her to accuse the BJP of trying to break her party with the help of "moneybags".
Elections to 294-member assembly are likely to be held in April-May.
School Teacher's Body Found In Bengal With Private Part Chopped Off: Cops "Can't Bowl 4 Overs": Ex-India Star's Dig At IPL Bowlers While Praising Mohammed Shami Ravi Shastri's No Nonsense Verdict As Mohammed Shami Shines On Return. Says "On A Flight..." Why Donald Trump's Cabinet Choices Are Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights "Go Falcon. Go GSAT-20": SpaceX Successfully Launches Indian Satellite Dhaka, Islamabad Inch Closer With Historic Sea Link. How It Impacts India Kim Jong Un Meets Russia's Minister In Pyongyang As Ukraine War Deepens Ties PM Modi Meets UK's Keir Starmer at G20, Discusses Tech, Energy, Security Ukraine Marks 1,000 Days Of Russian Invasion, Eyes End To War Next Year Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.