In recent developments from West Bengal, according to senior BJP leader in West Bengal, Mukul Roy, around 107 West Bengal MLAs from CPM, Congress, and TMC are set to join the BJP. The developments come as a huge boost to the BJP which has already been successful in making deep inroads in the state by winning on 18 PC’s in West Bengal. In the process, the BJP also increased its vote share to 40.25 % in 2019. The ruling Trinamool won 22 seats in the Lok Sabha election this year, down from 34 in the general election in 2014.
While addressing the media Mukul Roy said “107 West Bengal MLAs from CPM, Congress and TMC will join BJP. We have their list prepared and they are in contact with us”
Mukul Roy, BJP in Kolkata: 107 West Bengal MLAs from CPM, Congress and TMC will join BJP. We have their list prepared and they are in contact with us pic.twitter.com/SJ48v5WHMW
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2019
These developments come just months after over 50-60 TMC councilors and 2 MLAs (and one CPM MLA) joined the BJP in the presence of senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya.
Earlier another senior BJP leader Arjun Singh had claimed that more than 100 MLA of the TMC were set to switch over to the BJP. “Around 100 legislators from the ruling Trinamool Congress are ready to join the BJP,” Singh had told media persons. When questioned if some ministers are also planning to join the BJP, Arjun Singh stated: “I won’t make any comment on this because the moment I say yes, these ministers will be sacked.”
Further multiplying problems for Mamata Banerjee led TMC in the state; these defections only indicate the rising sentiment in the state against Mamata’s autocratic rule and failed governance policies. Mamata Banerjee’s arrogance has not only harmed the federal workings of the government machinery but has also resulted in exponentially deteriorating state of law and order in West Bengal. 2019 General election in West Bengal were also plagued by TMC led violence, in meek attempts to suppress the huge anti-TMC current in the state. Recently Mamata’s government was also called out for detaining three individuals for chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’. A state which has been seeing perpetual violence first under the communist regimes and now under Mamata’s autocratic dispensation has given a befitting reply to the TMC in this general election.
PM Modi had also earlier hinted that 40 MLA’s might jump ship from the TMC to the BJP. “As of date, a total of 40 Trinamool MLAs are in touch with me. Didi, they will dump your party after lotus blooms all over the state when Lok Sabha election results are out on 23 May,” PM Modi was reported saying. Today’s developments are surely in sync with PM Modi’s comments.