Kolkata, Aug. 4 -- TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the rebel NCPI MPs, alleging that they were elected on the Trinamool Congress symbol and anti-BJP votes but are now working in the BJP's interest.
His remarks came after a meeting in Delhi between West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and several NCPI MPs who had left the TMC. The meeting triggered fresh political speculation, especially as some NCPI MPs were absent from an NDA meeting despite being in Parliament.
Addressing a press conference, Ghosh claimed that no more than six MPs were currently with the NCPI faction. He alleged that several of them were trying to distance themselves from the group after realising the political consequences in their constituencies.
"They sought votes by saying 'remove Modi, save the country'. People voted for them because they were Mamata Banerjee's candidates. Now they have lost credibility before the people," Ghosh said.
He further claimed that voters were closely watching the MPs and that they would eventually be rejected by the masses. According to him, many of the rebel MPs were attempting to find a way out of the current situation.
Ghosh also questioned the legitimacy of the rebel MPs continuing in Parliament and said that if they received protection in defection-related proceedings, the matter could again reach the Supreme Court. In a stronger attack, he accused the BJP of trying to increase its parliamentary numbers by relying on "betrayals". He alleged that the NCPI MPs had won on the TMC symbol and the support of anti-BJP voters but were now backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"This contradiction itself is a betrayal of the mandate," Ghosh said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.