Former TMC Rajya Sabha Members Shift Allegiance to BJP Amid Party Turmoil

In a significant political shift, three former Rajya Sabha members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) – Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik, and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy – have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday. This move follows their resignation from the Rajya Sabha back in June, marking a pivotal moment in West Bengal’s evolving political landscape.

The induction of these leaders into the BJP took place in the presence of Samik Bhattacharya, the state party president, indicating a strategic recruitment aimed at bolstering the BJP’s presence in West Bengal. This development comes at a time when the TMC is grappling with internal factionalism, which has become more pronounced following their defeat in the recent Assembly elections held in May.

Earlier this year, on June 14, a group of 20 TMC MPs approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking to merge their faction with the Nationalist Citizens’ Party based in Tripura, which is allied with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This move was met with a swift response from TMC’s National General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, who wrote to Birla insisting on the disqualification of the rebel MPs. The internal strife within the TMC escalated further when, on June 3, nearly 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs rebelled against the leadership, opting for Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly.

The discontent within the TMC was further highlighted by the recent resignation of Chandrima Bhattacharya, former Finance Minister and a notable ally of party leader Mamata Banerjee. Such departures have raised questions about the TMC’s stability and future, as key figures continue to leave the party amidst an atmosphere of dissent.

Following her move to the BJP, Sushmita Dev expressed her belief that the substantial electoral victories of the BJP in both West Bengal and Assam reflect a growing trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the country. This sentiment could be indicative of a broader shift in public opinion as the BJP seeks to consolidate its power in the region.

Source: scroll.in