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Rajib quits as MLA, all set to join BJP at Shah rally?

Mukul Roy had claimed some politicians may join BJP during Shah's visit on Jan 30-31

rajib mamata pti Rajib Banerjee carries a photograph of CM Mamata Banerjee after resigning from the post of MLA | PTI

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Rajib Banerjee on Friday resigned as an MLA, a week after he quit the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, where he served as forest minister.

Rajib Banerjee, who represented the Domjur Assembly seat, met Speaker Biman Banerjee at the state Assembly and submitted his resignation letter.

"I have resigned as the MLA of the state Assembly. I submitted my resignation letter to the speaker. I thank my party supremo, Mamata Banerjee, for providing me the opportunity to serve the masses," Rajib, a two-time MLA, said. "In the days to come, I would continue to serve the people of the Domjur constituency," he added.

There had been reports Rajib was unhappy in the Trinamool Congress and there is speculation he could join the BJP during a rally to be addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Dumurjala in Howrah on Sunday.

Mukul Roy, a national vice-president of the BJP, had told Hindustan Times, “We are getting to hear that on January 30 and 31 some political leaders may join the BJP." Roy himself is a Trinamool Congress defector, who had once been a key aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

On Saturday, Shah will address a rally at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas, an area dominated by the Matua community.

In addition to Rajib, there have been reports that at least five other Trinamool Congress MLAs could join the BJP during Shah's rally on Sunday. These include Baishali Dalmiya and Prabir Ghoshal. Baishali Dalmiya was expelled from the Trinamool Congress last week on charges of speaking against the party. Dalmiya had criticised the functioning of election strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been advising TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.

On January 25, Baishali Dalmiya hinted she could join the BJP in a conversation with Republic TV. If a total of six TMC MLAs do join the BJP during Shah's visit, it would take to 23 the number of ruling party legislators who have jumped to the saffron party since the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

(With inputs from Rabi Banerjee, PTI)

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