Arindam Bhattacharya, who was elected MLA on Congress’ ticket in 2016 and later joined Trinamool Congress in 2017,  has joined BJP in presence of party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya in Delhi on Wednesday, reported ANI. Bhattacharya was inactive in the party since 2019.

“I was elected on Congress symbol but extended support to TMC so that development happens but it didn’t,” Bhattacharya said.

The development comes ahead of West Bengal Assembly election as BJP is aiming to dislodge the Trinamool Congress government in the state.

On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Those who want to join the BJP can leave, but we will not bow our heads before the saffron party.”

Vijayvarigya claimed last week that around 41 TMC leaders, “who support” the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, are ready to join the BJP.

“I have a list of 41 MLAs who want to join the BJP. If I take these legislators in the BJP’s fold, the Mamata government will fall. But we are looking at who should be admitted in the party and who should not be,” Vijayvargiya had said, reported PTI.