In Tripura, on Sunday, Rajib Banerjee, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) at party’s general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s pblic meeting
He was earlier a minister in the Mamata Banerjee’s government, but was inducted in the national executive committee of the BJP earlier this month.
Rajib Banerjee admitted that he had made a mistake in leaving the party. For half an hour after he decided to leave the BJP, he spoke to Abhishek Banerjee and explained that it was none other than him who motivated him to come back. Rajib Banerjee thanked him for bringing him back to the Trinamool camp.
According to a section of the political circles, Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s all-India general secretary, has taken a big responsibility in deciding who will return to the Trinamool and who will not. He also said at the meeting in Kharada a few days ago that those who are returning will be allowed only after atonement. He even warned that if all the defectors were given a chance, the BJP would leave Bengal.
It is inside the party circles that Rajiv returned to Trinamool camp with an apology. However, in a public meeting, he himself said he was ashamed and remorseful. He commented that he was misled and taken to the BJP. However, Rajib repeatedly thanked Abhishek for giving him another chance. “My leader,” he reiterated several times.
“I realised that I cannot accept the politics of hatred and divisive ideology propagated by BJP. I cannot accept the anti-people policies of the BJP,” he said.
Rajib Banerjee said he is sorry for his decision to join BJP and added, “I will work under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee”.
Rajib called Mamata Banerjee a ‘mother figure’. However, in the assembly vote, they did not attack each other less. During his tenure, the Chief Minister attacked Howrah, alleging major corruption in the forest department. She informed that it will also be investigated. Rajiv, who targeted the TMC in past, said they had no agenda other than voting and seizing power, and did not hesitate to call Mamata a communal during the polls.
Rajib had contested the West Bengal polls as a BJP candidate from Domjur constituency but lost to a TMC candidate.
Rajib’s return to Mamata’s camp comes amidst many BJP leaders like Babul Supriyo defecting to TMC in West Bengal.
Meanwhile, Asish Das, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Tripura, joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday in Agartala.
He was inducted into the party in the presence of the party’s General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. After resigning from the BJP on October 5, Das had shaved his head, took a dip in the Ganga and offered prayers at a temple near West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s house.
…with inputs from ANI.