Firhad Hakim gets membership offer from BJP! Tap to read his reply

Kolkata Mayor and West Bengal Minister for Urban Development, Firhad Hakim, disclosed that he had received a phone call offering him membership in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The call, according to Hakim, came as part of the BJP's ongoing membership campaign, where the caller invited him to join the party and suggested he connect through WhatsApp for further communication. Hakim, a senior leader in Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), immediately rejected the offer, stating, “I told them I am against the BJP and ended the call.”

In response to the incident, the BJP clarified that the call Hakim received was part of a broader initiative to reach out to individuals as part of their national membership drive. The party confirmed that the call did not come from any senior BJP leader, but rather from a volunteer involved in the membership campaign. The BJP has emphasized that many individuals have received similar calls as part of its efforts to increase membership and strengthen its organizational presence.

This development occurs amid growing factional tensions within the TMC, with increasing reports of infighting among the party's leadership. Hakim, who has been a trusted ally of Mamata Banerjee, has held several significant roles in the state government, including as the Minister for Urban Development and Mayor of Kolkata. The call has drawn attention to the BJP's strategic push for expanding its reach in West Bengal, where the party has been making considerable efforts to increase its footprint since its rise in the state’s politics.

The BJP’s membership drive is a part of its nationwide initiative aimed at increasing party participation, especially in key regions like West Bengal. The party has been utilizing various methods, including phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and digital platforms to connect with potential members. While the BJP has not disclosed specific numbers, the campaign is part of its broader strategy to position itself as a strong contender in Bengal’s political landscape, particularly with upcoming elections on the horizon.