Rajib Banerjee, 4 other rebel TMC leaders join BJP in Delhi

Former West Bengal Minister Rajib Banerjee and four other rebel Trinamool Congress leaders joined BJP in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Saturday.

Taking to Twitter, Shah said: “Former TMC leaders Mr. Rajib Banerjee, Ms. Baishali Dalmiya, Mr. Prabir Ghoshal, Mr. Rathin Chakraborti and Mr. Rudranil Ghosh joined BJP today in New Delhi. I am sure their induction will further strengthen BJP’s fight for Sonar Bangla.”

Banerjee, who resigned as state minister on January 22, gave up his primary membership of TMC and also resigned as TMC MLA yesterday.

Former TMC leaders Mr. Rajib Banerjee, Ms. Baishali Dalmiya, Mr. Prabir Ghoshal, Mr. Rathin Chakraborti and Mr. Rudranil Ghosh joined BJP today in New Delhi. I am sure their induction will further strengthen BJP’s fight for Sonar Bangla. pic.twitter.com/twXrHXWCbY

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 30, 2021

Speaking to reporters before leaving for Delhi, Banerjee said, “After I resigned as an MLA and gave up my primary membership of the TMC, I got a call from the Union Home Ministry. Honourable Union Minister Amit Shah invited me to meet him in Delhi today. Party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya also reached out to me. I felt that I should respond to his appeal. Therefore, I have decided to meet him today. After meeting him, I will possibly join the BJP. I will always work for the development of the state.”

Sources said Shah had sent a special flight for Banerjee to take him to the national capital.

Sources added that TMC MLA Baishali Dalmiya who has been expelled from the party, TMC leaders Rathin Chakraborty and Prabir Ghoshal took the same flight.

“For the development of Bengal, both state and Centre must work together. At present, it is the need of the hour to join the BJP. I want nothing but development for the state and its people,” Banerjee said.