BJP's Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma Defects to Trinamool Congress
In a significant political development in West Bengal, Bishnu Prasad Sharma, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Kurseong, has officially joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The switch occurred on Thursday in the presence of senior state ministers Shashi Panja and Bratya Basu at Trinamool Bhawan in Kolkata.
Sharma's Criticism of BJP and Decision to Switch Parties
Sharma, who has been a vocal critic of the BJP for years while remaining within its ranks, explained his decision to join TMC. He stated that he waited for the conclusion of the last Bengal assembly session before making the move. "When the assembly session ended, I said I was a free bird. I didn't disrespect the mandate of the people. Some will criticise my decision. I don't care much about such criticism," Sharma remarked.
Even as a BJP member, Sharma had frequently accused the party of keeping the Gorkha community "in the dark" and engaging in what he termed "jumla politics." His defection comes after a period of growing disillusionment with the BJP's approach to Gorkha issues.
Background and Political Career of Bishnu Prasad Sharma
Bishnu Prasad Sharma was elected as the BJP MLA from Kurseong in May 2021. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he contested as an independent candidate against BJP's Darjeeling MP Raju Bista. This move was a protest against the BJP overlooking a "bhumiputra" (son of the soil) candidate. However, Sharma lost the election, securing only 3,191 votes.
Allegations Against BJP's Gorkha Policies
At the Trinamool Bhawan event, Sharma launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of misleading the Gorkha community. He specifically targeted terms like Permanent Political Solution (PPS), which he alleged dilute the long-standing demand for Gorkhaland. "For 17 years, Gorkhas have been kept in the dark. BJP is showing Gorkhas a torch and calling it the sun. What can a torchlight provide? They will not give anything substantial to the Gorkha community — not even a single thread," he asserted.
Sharma also questioned the Centre's decision to send an interlocutor to the Hills ahead of polls, referring to IPS officer Pankaj Kumar. He alleged that there was no official appointment letter from the Centre, casting doubts on the legitimacy of the move.
Opposition to SIR and Broader Political Implications
Furthermore, Sharma expressed his opposition to the SIR (Special Investigation Report), claiming it was being conducted hastily to "destabilise the government and force it to kneel." His joining TMC is seen as a boost for the party in north Bengal, where Gorkha issues are politically sensitive.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Trinamool Congress minister Shashi Panja welcomed Sharma, describing him as "an important Gorkha neta, a farmer, and someone deeply connected to the grassroots of north Bengal." On the other hand, BJP's Siliguri MLA and chief whip Shankar Ghosh downplayed the impact of Sharma's defection, stating, "I don't think it will have any impact. He started to think he was beyond the party."
This political shift highlights ongoing tensions in Darjeeling's political landscape, with Sharma's move potentially influencing future electoral dynamics in the region.
