Bharatiya Janata Party’s former Rajya Sabha member Chandan Mitra is expected to join the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on July 21.
“We are in touch with Mr. Mitra and he is expected to join us, if everything goes alright,” a Trinamool Congress (TMC) official told The Hindu .
Mr. Mitra, however, told The Hindu on Wednesday that he would not comment till “next Monday” (July 23).
Confirms meeting with Mamata
Earlier the week, Mr. Mitra, a two-term Rajya Sabha member of the BJP, said that he had had a meeting with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.
“I met her [Mamata Banerjee] for advertisement in my paper in Kolkata. But we did not discuss about my joining [the TMC],” he told The Hindu on Monday.
Mr. Mitra, owner of a Delhi-based English language daily, was always known for his proximity to Ms. Banerjee.
He is also a member of the BJP’s National Executive, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His name is still featuring in the BJP’s list of National Executive members.
“I have given the resignation”
In an interview to news agency ANI , Mr. Mitra confirmed that he has quit the BJP. “I have given the resignation. I have not decided when or where I will join, I am not going to disclose it,” ANI quoted him as saying.
