As political tensions rise in West Bengal, the BJP and TMC have traded sharp accusations over post-poll violence, protests and the state’s evolving political landscape.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya (left) has ruled out the induction of Trinamool Congress leaders into the BJP, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (right) leads a protest over alleged attacks on TMC leaders. Pic courtesy: IANS
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of leaders from the Trinamool Congress joining the BJP, declaring that “Trinamoolisation of BJP will never happen” even as political chatter intensified over growing discontent within the ruling party and speculation of a possible split on the lines of Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena and NCP upheavals.
The remarks come at a politically sensitive moment for the Trinamool Congress, which is facing questions over internal dissatisfaction following its electoral defeat to the BJP. Reports of disgruntled legislators, low attendance at party meetings and alleged informal gatherings of MLAs have fuelled speculation in political circles that the party could be confronting its own “Shiv Sena moment”, although no formal rebellion has emerged so far.
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Speaking to ANI, Bhattacharya said the BJP had achieved its electoral success without relying on defectors and would not open its doors to leaders from the rival camp.
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“Our doors are closed for TMC. We reached the number 207 without importing anyone. The people voted against the leaders of TMC. Our political strategy this time started from the bottom. How can we include the people who are tainted in our party? Trinamoolisation of BJP will never happen,” he said.
The BJP leader argued that the party’s growth in West Bengal had been driven by grassroots workers rather than political imports, a point he used to reject suggestions that disgruntled Trinamool leaders could find a place within the BJP.
The debate over a possible split within the Trinamool Congress has gathered momentum after reports suggested that a significant section of the party’s legislators were unhappy with the leadership.
Political observers have drawn comparisons with the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party splits in Maharashtra, where breakaway factions eventually secured recognition as the official parties after demonstrating legislative strength.
Under anti-defection provisions, a substantial section of Trinamool legislators would have to move together to avoid disqualification. While reports have spoken of growing dissatisfaction among several MLAs, no group has publicly staked a claim or announced plans to break away from the party.
The Trinamool’s strength in the West Bengal Assembly has also reduced from its original tally after the expulsion of two legislators who had raised questions over alleged irregularities in a party resolution concerning appointments within the legislature party.
Bhattacharya also launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of her protest programme in Kolkata over alleged attacks on Trinamool leaders following the election.
“The people of West Bengal would not let Mamata Banerjee protest. TMC is not in a position to face the people by protesting on the roads,” he said.
Escalating his criticism, the BJP leader alleged that the Trinamool Congress was increasingly preoccupied with internal issues and accused Banerjee of attempting to shift the political conversation away from developments within the state.
“Everyone knows what happened when the former CM went to court. Now, TMC is against TMC. Mamata Banerjee is talking about Delhi to divert attention. She can come to Delhi, go to Antarctica or the desert. She can do anything, but the people of West Bengal have rejected TMC. The game is over,” he said.
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