'No effect from Ram Mandir... PM Modi rattled,' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tells IE

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rattled by the strong challenge put forth by the opposition INDIA bloc, in an interview with the Indian Express.

"There is no Pulwama, no ultra-nationalism, and people’s mood is not like it was after Balakot. Ram Mandir, which Modi expected would be a big issue, is having no effect on the ground, even in the Hindi belt," Chowdhury said.

"Across India, Modi’s aura, the euphoria, and jingoism are withering away," he said, adding that it would not be a "cakewalk" for Modi this time.

Chowdhury has been winning from the Berhampore Lok Sabha constituency since 1999. This time, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) -- fighting separately from Congress in West Bengal, despite being part of the INDIA bloc nationally -- has fielded former cricketer Yusuf Pathan from Chowdhury's stronghold.

When asked about his opponent, Chowdhury said Pathan wasn't the issue. "My fight is against Mamata Banerjee and the BJP juggernaut," he said.

Also watch: 'Better vote for BJP than TMC,' says Adhir Ranjan; TMC hits back