Hours after former Trinamool Congress MPs Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Prakash Chik Baraik joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, the saffron party announced them as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls in West Bengal. The decision was made by the BJP's Central Election Committee on Thursday.
Formal Joining in Kolkata
In a major setback to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the three leaders formally joined the BJP in Kolkata on Thursday. They had earlier resigned from the TMC and subsequently from the Rajya Sabha, leaving three seats vacant and necessitating the bypolls.
The leaders joined the saffron party in the presence of West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and other senior leaders at the party office.
Reasons for Switch
Speaking on the occasion, Sushmita Dev, once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, called the BJP a "national party" and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said, "It was under his dynamic leadership that the party registered a massive majority in Assam, Odisha, and Tripura. These results only showed that Modi’s vision is growing, not diminishing."
Regarding her role in the BJP, Dev stated, "The BJP high command will decide on Rajya Sabha seats. I have joined the party not with the expectation of a Rajya Sabha berth, but as an outgoing MP from West Bengal."
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray expressed regret over his TMC membership, saying he was "associated with a party of hoodlums" and had become convinced that he should no longer continue with the TMC. He added that he was waiting for the right time to change his political stand.
TMC Reacts
Reacting to the developments, TMC leader Saugata Roy downplayed the impact, saying, "Turncoats hold no real significance. The three leaders joining the saffron party would neither harm the TMC nor benefit the BJP."
Another TMC leader, Dola Sen, echoed similar sentiments: "Now, the public would respond to them. Let them do as they please; this is a democratic country. Let those who wish to betray, do so — it could be due to fear or greed; I don't know, and I don't wish to comment on it. But the common people will give the answer."
