Kolkata, Mar 11 (UNI) In a jolt to West Bengal's main opposition BJP, its MLA Tapasi Mondal has joined the Mamata Banerjee-led ruling Trinamool Congress.
Two-time lawmaker from East Medinpur's industrial belt Haldia, Mondal said the "divisive policy" of the saffron brigade forced her to leave the BJP and join the TMC.
"I decided to join TMC. I decided to be a part of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s developmental initiatives,” Mondal said after joining the state's ruling party in the presence of state Power and Youth Affairs Minister Aroop Biswas.
“Welcoming BJP’s Haldia MLA Tapasi Mondal to the Trinamool Congress family! Her decision to join us is a testament to the growing disillusionment with BJP’s politics. Under the leadership of Smt.@MamataOfficial, she will work tirelessly for the people’s welfare.” the TMC said.
The fifty-three-year-old politician was first elected as a legislator on a CPI(M) ticket in 2016, but in 2020 crossed over to the BJP, which has a strong base in the East Medinipur district industrial belt where the party is helmed by Nandigram MLA and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari.
In 2021 she retained the seat as a BJP candidate.
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday dared Mondal to contest from the same seat in 2026, and prophesied that she would face defeat.
Adhikari alleged state chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been violating all democratic norms and is involved in " buying", MLAs since 2011. He claimed so far the TMC has taken 56 legislators from different parties since it came to power about 14 years back.
In the 2021 poll BJP won 77 seats, out of which 12 MLAs have already switched over to ruling party. UNI PC SSP