Ex-TMC MLA Arghya Roy Pradhan joins BJP in presence of Shamik & Suvendu

Ahead of the assembly elections, former TMC MLA Arghya Roy Pradhan from Mekhliganj formally joined the BJP in Kolkata. The induction was facilitated by BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, who handed over the party flag to Pradhan. On the same day, Banshibadan Barman, a prominent Rajbanshi leader of the Greater Cooch Behar movement, also joined the saffron camp, strengthening BJP’s presence in North Bengal.

Arghya Roy Pradhan, who had previously won the Tufanganj seat in 2011 and Mekhliganj in 2016, expressed frustration at being denied a TMC ticket again in favor of Paresh Chandra Adhikari. Speaking after joining BJP, he stated, “I could not stay in a party that compromises with corruption. It is impossible to work in a political party that engages in corruption and cannot be accountable to the people. That’s why I am joining this party.” Pradhan pledged active participation in BJP’s campaign moving forward.

Banshibadan Barman highlighted the importance of Rajbanshi community issues in his decision, saying the central government’s policies would help preserve their culture and language. Political analysts note that the entry of both leaders could bolster BJP’s vote share in the region, adding momentum to the party’s ongoing campaign in North Bengal ahead of the elections.