Three former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha members—Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Prakash Chik Baraik—joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kolkata on Thursday, weeks after resigning from the Upper House and quitting the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
The leaders were formally inducted into the BJP by West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya at the party’s state headquarters in Salt Lake. Senior state BJP leaders were also present during the induction programme.
Welcoming the three leaders, Bhattacharya presented them with BJP flags and said their political experience would strengthen the party’s organisation in West Bengal.
The induction comes a month after Dev, Ray and Baraik resigned from the Rajya Sabha and severed ties with the TMC following the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The BJP is expected to leverage the experience of the three former parliamentarians as it seeks to expand its footprint in the state after the assembly poll outcome. Their switch also marks another high-profile defection from the Trinamool Congress amid political realignments in West Bengal.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy alleges threats after demanding RG Kar arrest
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said he faced repeated threats and intimidation after demanding action in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Roy said he was the only parliamentarian to publicly demand the custodial interrogation of the Kolkata Police Commissioner and the principal of RG Kar Medical College, alleging that evidence in the case was being tampered with.
“There are 800 MPs in the country. Out of those 800, I was the only one who publicly demanded that the Police Commissioner and the principal be arrested and questioned because evidence was being tampered with,” Roy said.
He alleged that following his remarks, the Kolkata Police issued him two notices in a single day, summoning him to Lalbazar police headquarters.
Roy said he was unable to appear because of ill health and had submitted medical certificates and records, but claimed the authorities ignored them, forcing him to approach the Calcutta High Court for relief.
The former MP further alleged that he continued to receive death threats for several months after the incident.
“I kept receiving threats on my phone that I would be killed and that my daughter and granddaughter would be kidnapped,” he claimed.
Roy said he had considered resigning earlier, but delayed the decision out of fear for his family’s safety. He alleged that the political atmosphere in West Bengal had become one of “fear and terror” and claimed that hundreds of BJP workers and supporters had been killed in the state.
Mamata Banerjee tells rebel TMC leaders to ‘join BJP or stay with us’
Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on dissident leaders within her party, asking them to either remain loyal to the TMC or openly join the Bharatiya Janata Party instead of “staying in the middle of the river.”
In a video message, Banerjee accused rebel TMC MLAs and MPs of working at the BJP’s behest and alleged that their “betrayal” had emboldened the saffron party to intensify attacks on Trinamool Congress workers across the state.
“Those who are playing games should make up their minds. Either stay with the Trinamool Congress and work with us, or directly join the BJP. Don’t remain in the middle of the river; otherwise, you will lose both ends,” she said.
Without naming any individual, Banerjee accused dissident leaders of misleading party workers while secretly supporting the BJP.
“If you want to go, go directly to the BJP. Don’t pretend to be in the Trinamool Congress while working for them,” she added.
Clashes mar TMC protest march
Banerjee’s remarks came on a day when workers of the BJP and the TMC youth wing clashed in Kolkata during a protest march over the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur.
The rally, organised by the TMC youth wing after receiving permission from the Calcutta High Court, witnessed repeated confrontations as BJP workers allegedly raised slogans and attempted to block the procession by forming human barricades along Hazra Road. Police later resorted to baton charges to disperse the two groups and restore order.
Appeal to party workers
Urging party cadres to remain united, Banerjee asked them not to be influenced by what she described as “traitors” within the organisation.
She reminded party workers of the sacrifices made by grassroots activists, saying many had faced violence while building the TMC.
“It was with their support and sacrifice that you won,” she said.
Questions over police and court orders
The TMC chief also claimed that despite court approval for the party’s programmes, police had cancelled permissions on multiple occasions, raising concerns about adherence to judicial directions.
She further accused the BJP of attempting to disturb peace in West Bengal and alleged that people were being denied justice.
TMC faces biggest political challenge
Banerjee’s comments come as the TMC grapples with one of the biggest crises in its 28-year history following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The party has witnessed a series of defections by MPs, MLAs and senior leaders to the rebel camp led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, deepening internal divisions and posing a significant challenge to the TMC leadership.
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