While the BJP accused the Trinamool of luring its leaders with money and threats, Mamata’s party hit back by reminding the BJP of poaching its leaders ahead of the assembly elections in the state.
Before the assembly elections in West Bengal, many Trinamool leaders had joined the BJP. In fact, BJP leader in the assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, is a close former aide of Mamata.
However, after Trinamool’s emphatic victory in the assembly elections, many leaders are now returning to Mamta’s court.
BJP says ‘this is not politics’; Trinamool said, ‘more to follow’
Senior BJP leader and party’s national secretary Rahul Sinha said: “This cannot be politics. To lure people with money and power or to threaten people with police and agencies and bring them into the party is not healthy politics. Maybe. BJP is an organization-based party which runs on certain morals and principles. That’s why we don’t care about it.”
He called Supriyo’s exit “a temporary setback” and said the BJP will surely overcome it.
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh hit back at Rahul Sinha, saying: “What the BJP did before the elections was moral politics? They were taking our people and now that the process has reversed, they are suddenly turning to morals and principles. They are getting the same return and they will see it again.”
Trinamool Congress has claimed that more BJP leaders will join the ruling party in West Bengal.
Trinamool MP and veteran leader Saugata Roy told the media, ‘After the assembly elections, four BJP MLAs and one MP have joined the Trinamool Congress and more are likely to come. There are many big names in BJP who are waiting. Beginning of end for BJP. No right thinker can stay there.”
‘Babylon an opportunist’
Meanwhile, the BJP termed its two-time MP from Asansol as an opportunist, who had to resign from the Union ministry on July 7.
He said, “Babul Supriyo left the party after he was left without any portfolio and this proves that he was in the party only for profit. Now he is with Trinamool Congress because maybe he has promised something big. He is an opportunist. He has betrayed not only the party but also the people of his constituency, BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said. One thing I can say is that BJP will again get an MP from Asansol.”
The CPM and Congress also targeted the singer-turned-politician.
CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “The person who had praised Narendra Modi and accused Mamata Banerjee has suddenly changed color. Mamata Banerjee has suddenly become an extraordinary leader. Is this politics? This is business.” The Trinamool Congress has made a better offer to him.” Bet, he’s with them. If tomorrow some other party offers him something better, it will take him two minutes to leave Trinamool.”
West Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: “This is not politics. It is like going to a shop and asking for an offer. The shop which gives the best offer, I buy from there. There is neither any morality nor any The principle is there and I don’t see any difference between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.”
‘Excited to join TMC’
Babul Supriyo, who was removed from the Union Cabinet two months ago, had then announced to quit politics.
In a Facebook post, he had said that there was a difference of opinion between him and state BJP leaders and that differences between senior leaders were “harming the party”.
Supriyo had then also said that he would no longer do active politics.
Justifying his change in stance, Supriyo said: “When I said two months ago that I wanted to quit politics, I was serious about it. After getting this new opportunity, however, I decided to change my mind. ”
Addressing a press conference that lasted only 10 minutes, Supriyo said that he is excited to join the Trinamool Congress and will work for the development of West Bengal.
“I am very excited to join TMC. I will work for the development of Bengal,” he said.
Asked whether he would resign from the Lok Sabha, he said, “Of course, naturally. I will go by the rule book.”
Supriyo said that he will meet West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday.
“I am grateful to Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee for giving me a great opportunity to work for the state and serve the people,” he said.
(with inputs from agencies)
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