Mumbai, June 9 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Monday criticised the alleged attempts to weaken the Trinamool Congress (TMC), drawing parallels with the political developments witnessed in Maharashtra and accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing a role in encouraging defections from opposition parties.

Reacting to reports of 20 TMC MPs writing to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Sawant said such political developments cannot take place without support from influential quarters and questioned the motives behind elected representatives leaving the party on whose ticket they won elections.

"Whatever is happening right now in TMC, we have bitterly experienced it in Maharashtra. It cannot be done without the support of someon...