Two Communist party leaders, who have been close to former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, are all set to join the Trinamool Congress on July 21—the day the TMC holds its annual martyr's day rally.
Expelled CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee has been appointed chairman of the newly-formed tribal welfare committee by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee although he is yet to be inducted into the TMC. The committee was constituted following the defeat of TMC at the hands of BJP in Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura.
Ritabrata Banerjee has been very close to Bhattacharjee and was given a Rajya Sabha ticket at the latter's request.
Moinul Hassan, another close associate of Bhattacharjee and a five-time CPI(M) MP from Murshidabad, has submitted his resignation to the party on Saturday. Hassan said he is considering the political scenario next year when he would be able to contest the elections and take on the BJP, and added that this would not be possible if he is still part of the CPI(M).
"The CPI(M) is today clueless. They would not like to treat the BJP as a fascist party. They like to treat the TMC and the BJP in the same manner. I think the CPI(M) should have been taken proper steps to create a grand alliance in Bengal involving TMC," he said.
Hassan was with the party for the past 42 years and was the point man for Bhattacharjee in Murshidabad. He said he had been sending many letters to the party's state and central committee, urging them to change their stance in the present political scenario. "But CPI(M)'s stand is benefiting the BJP," he added.
With Bhattacharjee critically ill, both the leaders are apparently finding no place in the party and decided to switch to Trinamool Congress to secure tickets in the next elections.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in West Bengal on July 16 and hold a rally in Midnapore. The saffron party is trying to make it one of the biggest rallies in recent times.