John Barla's sister & BJP leader Marina Kujur joins Trinamool

Marina Kujur, sister of former Union Minister of State John Barla, has joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The move took place on Sunday during a Vijaya Sammilani function organized by the ruling party in Nagarakata. Several TMC leaders, including Ritabrata Banerjee, state president of INTTUC, and Mahua Gop, president of the TMC’s Jalpaiguri district committee, welcomed Marina into the party.

Marina Kujur, who had previously served as the Jalpaiguri district president of the BJP's ST Morcha, was a prominent figure in local politics. She was elected from Sulkapara on a BJP ticket during the 2018 panchayat elections. Despite her electoral success, Marina cited a lack of support from her former party as one of the reasons for her defection. The BJP also excluded her from their candidate list for the upcoming assembly by-elections.

Speaking at the event, Marina explained that her decision to join the TMC was personal, influenced by the developmental work initiated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She clarified that she had made the decision independently, without discussing it with her brother, John Barla.

The BJP, on its part, downplayed Marina’s exit. Varun Mitra, president of BJP's Nagrakata Mandal No. 1 Committee, stated that Marina had been inactive within the party for the past three years, and her departure would have little impact on the BJP’s prospects.