Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 15, 2025, Kolkata : After weeks of speculation, former Union Minister and BJP MP John Barla formally joined the Trinamool Congress on Thursday, marking a significant political shift ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. He was welcomed into the party fold by senior Trinamool leaders Subrata Bakshi and Arup Biswas at a public event, where Barla expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for giving him what he described as a “big opportunity” to work for his community.
Barla, who had reportedly been discontented with the BJP for some time, stated that discussions about his joining Trinamool had been ongoing for the past six to seven months. “Didi also called me occasionally. She asked me to work, and I wanted to continue doing what I had started in my own areas, like the tea gardens and local fields,” he said.
Reflecting on his tenure as Union Minister, Barla claimed that he faced persistent internal resistance from within the BJP, particularly from the current Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Shuvendu Adhikari. He pointed to a stalled hospital project as an example, saying, “I went to build a hospital worth ₹160 crore with 100 percent grant funding on railway land. The land was identified by the Railways, and only the MoU was pending. But a call came, and the project was stopped. It was not the opposition—it was someone from my own party. Who will build a party if development is obstructed like this?”
Barla’s decision to switch parties has sent ripples through political circles in the state, with many viewing it as a setback for the BJP. His work in Alipurduar and his strong connection with tea garden workers in North Bengal are seen as significant assets that the Trinamool Congress is eager to leverage. Welcoming him to the party, Trinamool leader Arup Biswas handed over the party flag and remarked, “I am joining the party of mother, soil, and people after becoming disillusioned with the BJP.”
The Trinamool Congress has expressed optimism that Barla’s grassroots experience and regional popularity will bolster its presence in North Bengal, a region where the BJP had made notable gains in previous elections.
