Former Union min Barla may join TMC today in CM’s presence
Times of India | 23 January 2025
Siliguri/Jalpaiguri: Former Union minister John Barla said on Wednesday that he might join Trinamool Congress on Thursday in the presence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee at a programme in Hasimara. Barla was denied a ticket by BJP from Alipurduar — from where he had won in 2019 — in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Manoj Tigga, who was given the seat, won in 2024.
Since then, Barla distanced himself from BJP and did not participate in any of the party's election campaigns. He was also absent during the Madarihat bypolls last year, which was won by Trinamool's Jay Prakash Toppo. It was TMC's first victory from the Madarihat seat, which Tigga had won previously.
Barla, who reached his home at Lakhipara tea estate in Jalpaiguri on Wednesday, said he would attend the govt distribution programme on Thursday at Hasimara. "Mamata Banerjee invited me to attend Thursday's event, and I will be there. She undertook many projects for the betterment of the tea labourers of the Dooars region, and Cha Sundari is one of them," he said. Barla said BJP became active only during the polls.
"I am an Adivasi leader of the tea garden workers. Despite our efforts, we did not get the respect we deserve from BJP. The party did not provide any facilities for tea garden workers. Now, many gardens are shutting down. A special package should be provided for the tea workers. We brought BJP into this area. Before 2014, BJP had no presence here. In 2019, they won with a significant margin, but the development of the area was stalled by state BJP netas," said Barla at the Bagdogra airport.
"It's important to meet the CM. Development cannot happen from a distance. We need to address the problems directly with her. Only through dialogue can we find solutions," he added.