(Image source from: BJP outsmarts TMC and Mamatha})

In a major blow for the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, its refugee relief and rehabilitation minister Manjul Krishna Thakur left the party to join the BJP on Thursday. After faxing his resignation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Thakur, along with his son Subrata Thakur, drove down to attend a BJP press conference where he announced his decision to join the saffron party. The exodus to BJP from TMC has started ever since BJP has put a spectacular performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Kolkotta state BJP president Rahul Sinha said, “The beginning of the end for the Trinamool has started as more ministers and senior leaders of the party have expressed their willingness to join our party. But we have decided not to take anybody who is tainted in the Saradha chit fund case.”

The Trinamool is in directionless situation having its senior leader Mukul Roy called for questioning by the CBI in connection with the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam. Transport Minister Madan Mitra and the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Srinjoy Bose have already been arrested in the case and are languishing in jail. Several reports quoted the BJP saying that more defections are likely to follow in the days to come. The party’s real test would be the upcoming civil polls due at the end of March in which BJP has to ensure that sizeable seats are won.

By Premji