Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee asserted on Wednesday that at least 10 prominent BJP leaders are expressing interest in joining his party, triggering an immediate rebuttal from the saffron camp.
During a spirited roadshow in the Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituency, Banerjee confidently declared that his party would unveil its doors at the opportune moment, predicting the BJP’s obliteration from the state.
“The BJP may attempt to orchestrate defections, but they’re bound to fail. While they managed to lure away two of our MPs, we reciprocated by welcoming Arjun Singh and Babul Supriyo into our fold. With the recent induction of Tapas Ray through Enforcement Directorate raids, it’s evident that at least 10 top BJP leaders are eyeing a switch to the Trinamool,” Banerjee asserted.
Responding to Banerjee’s assertions, BJP Spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya dismissed them as political rhetoric borne out of the frustration of an imminent electoral defeat in West Bengal.
“These claims are merely a reflection of their frustration in West Bengal. Once the Lok Sabha polls conclude, the Trinamool will crumble like a house of cards,” Bhattacharya retorted.
Since the 2021 assembly polls, several notable figures, including former Union minister Babul Supriyo, party MP Arjun Singh, and eight legislators, including national vice-president Mukul Roy, have defected to the Trinamool Congress.
In the 2021 state assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress secured victory for the third consecutive term by clinching 213 out of 292 assembly seats, while the BJP managed to secure 77 seats.