Kolkata, 19 February (H.S.) : In a significant political development in North Bengal, BJP MLA Vishnuprasad Sharma from Kurseong in the Darjeeling hills formally joined the ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday. Sharma took the party flag at the Trinamool Bhavan in Kolkata, marking his official induction into the state’s ruling party. West Bengal ministers Shashi Panja and Bratya Basu were present during the event.

Sharma, who has been disenchanted with the BJP for nearly two years, had openly criticized the party on multiple occasions. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he contested as an independent candidate from Darjeeling in protest against the BJP’s decision to re-nominate Raju Bisht. Since then, his distance from the party had steadily grown.

Despite differences with the BJP, Sharma maintained contact with the state Leader of the Opposition, Shuvendu Adhikari, who had personally assisted him during a period of illness. At the time, Adhikari had noted that Sharma might be dissatisfied with the party, but he would not join Trinamool Congress. Sharma’s recent move has contradicted this expectation.

Sharma’s entry into Trinamool comes just ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, delivering a setback to the BJP in the state. His departure reduces the party’s strength in the West Bengal Assembly to 64 MLAs. Since Rajya Sabha elections are determined by legislators’ votes, this development could impact the BJP’s calculations.

Long a supporter of a separate Gorkhaland state, Sharma had previously expressed to close associates that the BJP had betrayed him on the issue. Sources indicate that for over a year, he had avoided the BJP legislative party room and largely stayed away from party events, though he continued to sit with BJP MLAs during assembly sessions without participating in programs or activities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh