3800 workers of different parties joined BJP in Bengal’s Asansol, says state president Dilip Ghosh

While BJP is focusing on its resources in Bengal, the TMC camp has been jolted by a streak of resignations. Bharatiya Janata Party’s West Bengal chief Dilip Ghosh has said that 3800 workers of various parties joined the ‘BJP family’ during a rally in the Asansol district on Monday.

The BJP and TMC are currently locked in a fierce battle in West Bengal. This battle is not likely to end before the state Assembly elections due in April/May next year. The BJP, which made considerable gains in Bengal during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, hopes to make its first government in the state.

Among the 10 MLAs who joined the BJP on Saturday, six were from TMC. The TMC MLAs who joined BJP included: Suvendu Adhikari, Saikat Panja, Shilbhadra Dutta, Sukra Munda, Biswajit Kundu and Banasri Maity. Two-time TMC MP from Bardhaman Purba Lok Sabha constituency Sunil Mondal also joined the BJP on Saturday.

TMC MLA from Asansol’s Pandaveswar Jitendra Tiwari, who has also quit the Mamata Banerjee-led ruling party, may however not get to join the BJP.

BJP MP from Asansol Babul Supriyo has opposed his entry into the BJP. Taking to Facebook, the Union minister said he would try his best to ensure that TMC leaders, who had in the past “tortured” grassroots BJP activists, do not get to join his party.

“Some dacoits of Chambal and goons from outside have entered Bengal. At times they threaten police and sometimes they threaten TMC. Today, TMC is as deep-rooted as a Banyan tree. Two-three people who know they won’t get a ticket from the party are going away,” rattled Mamata Banerjee said while addressing a rally as she critized people who left the party and BJP too.