In a major setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, MLA Harakali Protiher has joined the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), adding to the string of legislators who have switched sides.
Harakali Protiher, representing the Katulpur Assembly constituency, made his decision official in the presence of TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
This move highlights the ongoing political dynamics in West Bengal, where the BJP has faced challenges in holding on to its MLAs.
Harakali Protiher Joins TMC
Harakali Protiher’s decision to join the TMC comes as another blow to the BJP’s presence in West Bengal.
The Katulpur Assembly constituency is located in Bankura district, where the BJP has made significant inroads.
However, with Harakali Protiher’s defection, the TMC aims to regain lost ground. The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, welcomed Harakali Protiher into their fold, expressing their commitment to serve the people and uphold the principles of “Ma, Mati, and Manush.
As news of Harakali Protiher’s switch broke, the BJP has yet to offer any official response. The party’s silence reflects the increasing challenges they face in retaining MLAs in West Bengal.
Since the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, where the BJP emerged as the main opposition party with 77 seats, they have witnessed a steady exodus of MLAs to the TMC.
Seven BJP MLAs have already joined the ruling party, leaving the BJP’s effective strength in the assembly at 67. This decline in numbers indicates a dent in the BJP’s authority in West Bengal’s political landscape.
Impact on the BJP in Bankura
The BJP’s stronghold in Bankura district suffered a blow with Harakali Protiher’s defection. Bankura, known as a district where the BJP performed well, now faces the challenge of retaining its influence in the face of the TMC’s resurgence.
The TMC, buoyed by Harakali Protiher’s arrival, aims to regain lost ground and strengthen its position in Bankura.
With the BJP losing MLAs and the TMC gaining support, the political landscape in Bankura and West Bengal as a whole is undergoing a significant transformation.
