Former BJP MP and Union minister John Barla was spotted at a government programmed headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, sparking speculations that he is soon joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

When asked, Barla said, “The Chief Minister of the state has called me. So, I have come to this programme. If she blesses me, I will definitely work with her.”

John Barla became the Alipuarduar MP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election by defeating TMC candidate Dasharat Tirkey by more than 2.5 lakh votes. He then went on to become the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. However, the BJP did not give him a ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and replaced him by Madarihat MLA Manoj Tigga.

TMC sources claimed that Barla helped TMC win the Madarihat assembly constituency by-poll last November. Barla said, “I want to work for the people but the BJP is not giving me a scope. If I get blessings from Mamata Banerjee, I will definitely work for her.”

A senior leader of the TMC said, “Barla was a Union Minister and popular in the tea garden belt. He is also an Adivasi leader of North Bengal. Naturally, his inclusion in our party will make us stronger in North Bengal.”

He added, “This was a government programme. Barla was invited to the programme and he participated in the programme and talked with the Chief Minister. Later, our leadership will decide where and when he will officially join TMC. In fact, his joining is now just a matter of time.”

Meanwhile, the BJP is not worried about his shift to the TMC. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya said, “Barla is not a factor. He was not a candidate in the last Lok Sabha election, but the BJP won in Alipurduar. People have voted for the BJP.”

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “Who is John Barla? The BJP had done a membership drive last October and he is no more a member of the BJP. He doesn’t even have two votes in his own booth. Why should the party be worried about him?”