BJP MLA from Bishnupur Tanmay Ghosh on Monday switched over to the Trinamool Congress.
Ghosh was welcomed into the TMC by state Education Minister Bratya Basu. Speaking after joining the Trinamool Congress, Ghosh was quoted by ANI as saying, "BJP is into vindictive politics. They're attempting to snatch rights of West Bengal people by using Central agencies."
Affirming his loyalty to the TMC chief, Ghosh urged, "all politicians to support CM Mamata Banerjee for public welfare". Interestingly, Ghosh had been a Trinamool functionary. He was town president of the TMC's Bishnupur youth wing. Ghosh switched over to the BJP on March 5 in the run-up to the state Assembly polls.
He is the second BJP MLA to switch back to the TMC since the May Assembly election after Mukul Roy.
Ghosh has been considered a loyalist of BJP MP Saumitra Khan, who is the chief of the BJYM state unit. Khan had been upset over being ignored for a ministerial post in the recent reshuffle at the Centre. The departure of Ghosh is expected to raise questions given the BJP's sweep in the Bishnupur area in the Assembly polls. The saffron party won six of the seven seats from the area.
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Speaking after inducting Ghosh, Basu alleged the BJP government in Tripura was working in a non-democratic manner. The TMC has been seeking to make inroads into Tripura, triggering tension with the BJP.
Speaking about alleged attacks on TMC activists in Tripura, Basu declared when Mamata goes to Tripura, "there will be a tsunami". Basu said BJP MLAs of Tripura are also in touch with the TMC.
(With inputs from Rabi Banerjee)
