KOLKATA: BJP’s Alipurduar president Ganga Prasad Sharma on Monday defected to the Trinamool Congress with seven other district party leaders, prompting Mukul Roy to say this was “only a glimpse of what lies ahead” and the “beginning of the end (for BJP in Bengal)”.
Sharma said Alipurduar MP John Barla’s statehood demand for north Bengal was an attempt to “fan sentiments” and advised him to “work of people” instead.
Sharma said “for some time”, there were rumblings in BJP ranks as district leaders were kept in the dark while “people were being flown out” to Kolkata and Delhi for inductions.
“However, I did not leave the party then and be dubbed a traitor.
Instead, I worked hard to ensure that the party won all five assembly seats (in Alipurduar).
Having ensured that, I chose to join Trinamool Congress,” he said.
When asked about Barla’s comments, Sharma said: “He has not done any work.
He could have done a lot for people instead.
To deflect attention from his shortcomings, he is now trying to fan sentiments of people.
He should work instead.” Sharma also questioned why Manoj Tigga from north Bengal was overlooked for Suvendu Adhikari as BJP’s leader of the opposition.
State education minister Bratya Basu dubbed BJP’s ‘Paschimbanga Diwas’ celebrations on June 20 and demand for separate statehood for north Bengal as “laughable” and a “duplicity”.
“Look at their intent, the debate for Partition was done in Bengal and Punjab.
The Bengal assembly, in which there was no Hindu Mahasabha member, the resolution was discussed on June 20 and in Punjab on June 23.
Will they do the same in Punjab, they have a presence there? Their ideology is against Bengal, its history and its people.
How can one speak in two voices at the same time?” he asked.
TMC Rajya Sabha chief whip Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, responding to questions whether the defections with bolster the party, said: “Yes, it will add strength to the party organisation in Alipurduar.” Responding to the statehood call, he added, “People of the state will distance themselves from the BJP even further due its demands of separatism.
The poll results in Bengal have proved what the people want.
It has also proved how alienated they (BJP) are from people.
Else why would a party push for Central Vista and deny Covid victims’ compensation? They may say anything but it will be the people who will decide.” Mukul, when asked about Adhikari moving for his disqualification, said, “Let his father first explain to him his position.” On whether he will be the next Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson, he said, “How can I comment on conjectures and speculations?”