New Delhi, June 18: In another setback for the Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, TMC MLA from Bongaon, Biswajit Das and 12 party councillors joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Along with them, an Indian National Congress spokesperson Prasanjeet Ghosh joined the saffron cadre. This development comes a day after TMC MLA Sunil Singh, along with 15 TMC Councillors joined BJP. ‘BJP Spreading Fake News About West Bengal’, Says CM Mamata Banerjee.

Reacting to defections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "We are not bothered about a few corrupt and greedy leaders who are switching to some other party. They joined the BJP as they were afraid they might face consequences for their activities." Mamata Banerjee Signs Election Strategist Prashant Kishor as BJP Eyes to West Bengal From TMC in 2021.

In an internal meeting with party councillors, TMC boss said, "we are throwing out our garbage and the BJP is collecting it. But some joining the other party won't save anyone from a corruption probe." Banerjee said she wants to restructure her party for 2021 Assembly elections in the state.

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After the 2019 Lok Sabha results, several TMC MLAs and MPs have been joining the BJP. "The BJP has emerged as a strong player in West Bengal politics and is the first preference for those who want peace and development in the state," Kailash Vijayvargiya had said earlier.

On May 29, the saffron party welcomed three West Bengal MLAs, including Subhrangshu Roy, son of Mukul Roy, and over 60 councillors, majority of them from the TMC. During an election speech in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that more than 40 Trinamool legislators were in touch with the BJP.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2019 07:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).