Three Former TMC Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJP

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 10th July: Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MPs Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Prakash Chik Baraik joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, days after the Election Commission announced bypolls to the three Upper House seats vacated by them.

The three leaders were inducted into the BJP by West Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya at the party’s state headquarters in Salt Lake, triggering speculation that they could be fielded as BJP candidates in the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls scheduled for July 24.

When asked whether the trio would be nominated for the vacant seats, Bhattacharya declined to confirm, saying, “Let the discussions continue.”

Describing the induction as an exception rather than a change in the party’s policy, Bhattacharya said the BJP remained committed to its stand of not admitting Trinamool leaders, except those who had no involvement in corruption or abuse of power.

“We had said the doors are closed for Trinamool leaders. We stand by that. But those who did not indulge in corruption, did not oppress people, did not sell jobs or snatch away people’s rights were always welcome to join us in the fight against the TMC,” he said.

Calling the move “an exception that proves the rule,” Bhattacharya said the experience of the three former parliamentarians would strengthen the BJP in West Bengal.

Speaking after joining the party, Sushmita Dev, who had switched from the Congress to the TMC in 2021, alleged that she realised the extent of corruption only after joining the Trinamool Congress.

“My critics may point to many shortcomings, but nobody can say I was associated with corruption,” she said.

Sukhendu Sekhar Ray also criticised the TMC over corruption, while Bhattacharya said the leaders’ political past was no longer relevant, adding that their identity now was that of BJP workers.

Responding to questions on joining the BJP in Kolkata despite being based in Assam, Dev said the decision was taken by the party leadership. She added that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma advised her to respect the people of West Bengal, who had elected her to the Rajya Sabha twice.

Bhattacharya said Dev would work for the BJP across the country.

The three leaders had resigned from the Rajya Sabha and quit the Trinamool Congress last month following the party’s defeat in the Assembly elections, leading to bypolls for the vacant Upper House seats.

With the BJP expected to have sufficient numbers to secure all three seats, political circles are closely watching whether the newly inducted leaders return to Parliament on BJP tickets.