BJP MP Khagen Murmu's first wife Aruna joins Trinamool in presence of Bratya Basu and Birbaha Hansda

Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Aruna Mardi, the first wife of senior BJP leader and Malda North MP Khagen Murmu, officially joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday. The induction took place at the TMC Bhavan in Kolkata, where she was formally welcomed by state Education Minister Bratya Basu and Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda. This defection is being seen as a major psychological blow to the BJP's organizational strength in the Malda district, a region where Khagen Murmu holds considerable influence.

The joining ceremony was marked by high symbolism as Aruna Mardi accepted the Trinamool flag from the two senior ministers. Speaking to the media shortly after her induction, Mardi hinted at internal grievances and a desire to work for the welfare of the people under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. While Khagen Murmu has been a prominent face for the BJP in North Bengal, his wife’s decision to switch sides brings the political battle directly into his household, creating a narrative of familial and political friction just months before the state goes to the polls.

Ministers Bratya Basu and Birbaha Hansda emphasized that Aruna Mardi’s decision reflects the growing confidence of tribal leaders and women in the Trinamool’s governance model. They noted that many who were once associated with the saffron camp are now recognizing the impact of state-run social welfare schemes. The TMC leadership believes that Mardi’s entry will help the party consolidate its tribal vote bank in the Malda North constituency, potentially weakening the BJP’s grip on the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in the region.