Over 200 BJP workers switch over to Trinamool in S Dinajpur

Balurghat: Ahead of the rural polls in Bengal, district general secretary of BJP's South Dinajpur unit Uttam Dutta, along with 200 of his followers, joined Trinamool Congress. They attended a programme at Tapan School on Tuesday evening, where the chairman of Gangarampur civic body and Trinamool leader Prasanta Mitra handed over the Trinamool flag to Dutta and his followers. Dutta was the former secretary of BJP's state committee's farmers cell (Kishan Morcha). "I was in the wrong party, which stressed division and polarisation of people instead of development. I have joined Trinamool Congress as it is a party that works for development, beyond the lines of religion. Also, Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee always backs farmers for their overall development, which has also inspired me to shift," he said. Dutta had distanced himself from the party's activities for the past six months and did not attend meetings of the cell. A rumour broke out some days ago that Dutta is likely to join the ruling party. He had also expressed his desire to join Trinamool then. Dutta, who worked for the development of local farmers in Tapan block, is very popular in the region. Some other workers from different political parties including BJP, Congress and Left Front might join Trinamool soon.