3 MLAs, 50 TMC councillors join BJP in West Bengal

New Delhi:In a major setback to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, its three MLAs, including her former aide Mukul Roy's son Subhrangshu Roy, and 50 Municipal councillors joined the saffron party here on Tuesday.

Parading the councillors, including a large number of women, and the three legislators, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said,'' More Trinamool Congress leaders and MLAs are going to join BJP in seven phases from next month as were the general elections.''  

Speaking on the occasion, former Union Minister Mukul Roy said, ''The complete decimation of Trinamool Congress is on the cards and in next assembly elections, Trinamool Congress may not have enough numbers to get recognition of opposition leader''.

Mukul Roy's legislator son Subhrangshu Roy, his party colleagues Tushar Kanti Bhattacharya and Devendra Roy also joined the saffron party at party headquarters here.

''There will be more MLAs coming to join the BJP from June 1,'' said Mukul Roy who quit Trinamool Congress in November 2017.

To a question why his son Subhrangshu, who represents Bijpur assembly, took so long to join the saffron outfit, Mukul Roy said, ''All these were part of strategy as I have said during elections that many Trinamool Congress will continue to stay in Trinamool but vote for us.''

He also referred to post-result violence and said BJP has lost two of its workers due to unholy nexus of Trinamool workers and police.He said BJP is not doing any horse trading in Bengal but it is the Trinamool which has been indulging in this and caused split in Congress earlier.

''In fact, Mamata Banerjee started doing defection after she lost many seats in Panchayat election,'' Mr Roy said.To a question, he further said BJP struggle against TMC in Bengal will continue and the people of state will decide the future politics.On Chief Minister Ms Banerjee offering to resign, he said ''Ye toh drama hai.''

''It is like my son appearing in an exam, the question paper is set by his maternal uncle and paper checked by another uncle. She is only indulging in theatrics and will not give up power till the people force her to do so,'' Mr Roy said.

Mr Vijayvargiya said Mr Narendra Modi's magic  has done wonders in Bengal and leaders and elected representatives from others parties will also join BJP in immediate future.

He said, ''We wish Mamata Banerjee good luck to continue in power till 2021 but if her MLAs do not stick to her, we cannot help.''(UNI)