BJP Fields Ex-TMC Trio for Rajya Sabha Hours After Induction

Former Trinamool Congress leaders Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Prakash Chik Baraik joined the BJP on Thursday.

Hours later, the BJP nominated all three leaders for the July 24 Rajya Sabha bypolls in West Bengal. The Election Commission recently announced bypolls after the trio resigned from the TMC and Rajya Sabha. West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya welcomed the leaders during an induction ceremony at the party headquarters. Earlier, Bhattacharya avoided confirming their nominations and asked reporters to continue speculating about possible candidates. The BJP’s Central Election Committee later officially announced the three leaders as Rajya Sabha candidates.

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BJP highlights clean image while former TMC leaders justify political switch

The move marked the BJP’s first major induction of former TMC leaders after recent electoral victories. Bhattacharya said the BJP welcomed only leaders with clean records and rejected those linked to corruption. He stressed that honest leaders could help strengthen the BJP’s campaign against the Trinamool Congress. Ray said he waited patiently before joining the BJP after nearly six decades in active politics. He claimed political pressure and threats convinced him to leave the Trinamool Congress permanently.Dev accused the TMC of widespread corruption and denied any involvement in unethical political activities.

She criticised TMC MP Mahua Moitra and defended her decision to join the BJP publicly. Dev credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for inspiring her political shift toward the BJP. Bhattacharya said Dev would contribute to the BJP’s national organisational and political responsibilities. Baraik also joined the BJP after working extensively among tea garden workers in north Bengal. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dismissed the defections and criticised the leaders for leaving after elections. The BJP’s Assembly strength makes the trio’s Rajya Sabha election almost certain after their recent political switch.

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