A top TMC leader and former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi is all set to join the BJP probably along with some other party leaders which would be a jolt to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Trivedi, who was forced to resign as Railway Minister in the Manmohan Singh’s Cabinet after his budget contained a fare hike in 2012, did not deny persistent reports that he was tipped to join the BJP.
Reports said that the TMC MP from Barrackpur was in touch with BJP President Amit Shah and may be meeting him soon.
Trivedi praised the leadership of Narendra Modi saying that the world is looking at India because a bright spot of energy has been unleashed obviously under his leadership.
“We must all make ourselves available (to him). Its like a captain of a team,” he said. While declining to criticise Banerjee, he said the TMC could have done much better after 35 years of Left rule.
Asked, Trivedi said “I really don’t like to predict anything. For me the country comes first … At the end of the day why are we in public life … The bigger picture is the country.
Manjul Krishna Thakur, a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government had resigned last week and joined BJP.
“In politics you only do what is best for the nation. My loyalty is first towards the country. The nation is much above the party.
“It is not the question of switching from one platform to another. We need to change the DNA of Indian politics and whatever it takes for doing that, I think we should do that,” said the MP from Barrackpore.
In praise of Modi, the TMC MP said, “…something is happening in India. Obviously the leadership is that of Narendra Modi now. At this particular point of time we are looking at him… We all must make ourselves available.”
He said that the TMC government lost a golden chance to bring in development for Bengal faster because of ego problem.
“The TMC government is doing what the LF government did in 35 years: opposing the Centre just for the sake of opposing. A state has to work with the Centre to benefit the state’s interest. Ego has no place here,” Trivedi told PTI.
“A strong opposition is always good for democracy, but at the end of the day you have to leave it to the people.
“I think we could have done much better and I can tell you that we have done much better than the Left Front government ever did. But have we fulfilled the aspirations of people, it is very difficult to say,” Trivedi said.
To a question if it is difficult to work under Banerjee, he said, “I am not making any negative comment on any leadership. I would also never forget that it is Mamata Banerjee who made me Railway Minister. I had no difficulty in working. I enjoyed my stint. (However) if I am asked I will put the same budget all over again.”
Trivedi’s comment came days after Trinamool Congress minister Manjul Krishna Thakur joined BJP.