New BJP entrants Sukhendu, Prakash, Sushmita file nominations to Rajya Sabha by-elections from Bengal
The nomination papers were submitted in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and BJP's state president Samik Bhattacharya.
The nomination papers were submitted in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and BJP's state president Samik Bhattacharya.
With TMC divided into factions, numbers suggest that the three BJP candidates are almost certain to win the by-elections.
Susmita Dev ever reasoned that she was impressed by the work done by the Himanta Biswa Sarma government in neighbouring Assam and intends to work under his guidance.
All three had resigned from the Rajya Sabha after the change of government in West Bengal, expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
After joining the BJP, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray launched a scathing attack on TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, saying her government ruined three generations of West Bengal.
The BJP which commands numerical advantage in the 294-member assembly with 208 MLAs, is ready to make the most of the TMC crisis.
Her decision to quit the party and resign as its Rajya Sabha MP came amid the ongoing rebellion by several other TMC MPs.
Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee said his faction’s support had risen to 64 MLAs, while Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury denied knowledge of merger talks.
Defending her decision to vacate her Rajya Sabha seat, Sushmita Dev said political loyalty mattered to her and indicated she would announce her future plans after a brief break.
A string of resignations and growing rebellion among MPs have intensified pressure on the Trinamool Congress leadership as questions emerge over the party's future direction.
