John Barla joins Trinamool, claims Suvendu asked centre to block 140 crore hospital project fund

Former Union Minister of State and ex-BJP MP John Barla officially joined the Trinamool Congress on Thursday at the party headquarters in Kolkata. He was welcomed into the party by TMC state president Subrata Bakshi and Minister Aroop Biswas. This political shift comes days before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to North Bengal.

Barla, who had been representing Alipurduars as a BJP MP, did not receive a party ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Following this, he distanced himself from the party and remained politically inactive for several months. Speculations about his switch began in January when he was seen on stage with Mamata Banerjee at a public rally in Kalchini, though he did not take the TMC flag at the time.

While joining TMC, Barla accused Suvendu Adhikari of obstructing a ₹140 crore hospital project in North Bengal. “It was Suvendu’s intervention that killed that hospital project. That’s when I lost faith in the BJP,” he said. He also added, “If Mamata Didi gives me the opportunity, I want to work for the tea garden community and regional development.”

Recently, several BJP leaders, including the Chief Minister of Sikkim, had visited Barla’s residence, which had briefly led to speculation about his return to the BJP. However, his official induction into the Trinamool Congress has confirmed his departure from the saffron party. Political circles view this move as significant in the context of North Bengal’s upcoming political developments.