Bengal: BJP leader Motiur Rahman joins TMC ahead of assembly polls
_vb_99.jpeg)
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal BJP leader and social worker Motiur Rahman on Saturday joined the ruling Trinamool Congress, ahead of the assembly elections.
Rahman was a BJP candidate in the 2021 assembly polls from Harishchandrapur in Malda. He was defeated by his TMC rival.
He joined the TMC at its headquarters here in the presence of senior party leader and minister Bratya Basu, and Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque.
Assembly elections in West Bengal are likely to be held in April.
Basu said Rahman had secured a significant number of votes in the 2021 elections, helping the BJP emerge as the second-largest party in the constituency, traditionally considered a Congress stronghold.
“Many people had then said that a sizeable number of people in the area did not vote for the BJP, but for Motiur Rahman. His popularity and social work has earned him wide support,” Basu said.
Rahman said he decided to join the TMC to become a part of the development initiatives undertaken in the state under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Fourteen to fifteen years ago, there was very little development in rural Bengal. There were no proper roads or drinking water facilities in the countryside. After Mamata Banerjee came to power, development has taken place. I joined the TMC to contribute to that development,” he said.
“Besides, the BJP’s brand of politics is increasing division in society. I felt out of place in the BJP,” he added.
Haque said Rahman has been known for his social work among the poor.
“He has always helped people who approached him. Even as a minority candidate of the BJP, he received a good number of votes in the constituency. By joining us, he will be able to serve people in a better way,” Haque asserted.
Earlier on February 19, BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma from Kurseong had joined the TMC.
Sharma, while joining the TMC, had expressed resentment over "the functioning of the BJP, ignoring people of the hills”.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
My party will complete 5-year term, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress government would complete its five-year term, while sidestepping questions on whether he personally would remain in office for the full duration.
Addressing reporters here, he maintained that decisions on the leadership would rest with the party high command and refrained from giving a direct answer on his own tenure.
“Our party will complete five years,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if he would complete a full term as Chief Minister.
On the issue of leadership, he reiterated that the final call would be taken by the party leadership, saying, “The high command will decide. There’s no point asking the same thing again.”
Indicating his readiness to travel to the national capital if required, he said, “If I am called to Delhi, I will go,” adding that he would seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi if needed.
The talks on leadership change have intensified in the power corridor of the state where claims were made that Siddaramaiah would make way for his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The Chief Minister also underlined that recent by-election victories in Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly segment reflected public support for the government, stating that this clearly shows that people have appreciated the Congress government and its programmes.
The CM also dismissed the opposition’s claims, alleging they lacked strategy, and said local body elections would be conducted as per rules.
