Kolkata, May 29: In another setback for the Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress MLA Manirul Islam joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Three other leaders - Gadadhar Hazra, Mohd Asif Iqbal and Nimai Das also joined the saffron party in the presence of senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayavargiya. Mamata Banerjee Losing Ground: 3 TMC MLAs And Over 50 Councillors Jumpship to BJP.

Yesterday, three TMC MLAs and 50-60 councillors joined the BJP. Among those who defected include BJP leader Mukul Roy’s son and suspended TMC legislator Subhrangshu Roy, along with 16 TMC Councillors of the Kanchrapara Municipality. Vijayavargiay while addressing reporters had said, “Elections were held in seven phases in West Bengal, joinings in BJP will also happen in seven phases.

TMC MLA and three leaders join BJP:

In the 2016 elections, the TMC bagged 211 seats in 294-member assembly elections, while the BJP remained victorious on three seats only. The elections for West Bengal assembly are scheduled for 2021. Mamata Banerjee Arresting Those Who Are Chanting 'Jai Shri Ram', Says PM Narendra Modi.

The BJP recorded a resounding victory in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In West Bengal, the saffron party bagged 18 seats giving a tough fight to the TMC. While Mamata Banerjee-led party’s seat share shrunk to 22 seats from 34 seats. After BJP’s landslide victory, Narendra Modi will take oath as the PM for the second consecutive time.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 05:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).