TMC Minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla quit from Mamata Banerjee-led government and party yesterday. His resignation comes at a time when stalwarts of the party like Suvendu Adhikari had quit the party along with a dozen other MLAs to join the Bhartiya Janata Party.
The former batsman who joined the Bengal political arena in 2016 contested from North Howrah Constituency ticket for the TMC, had written to Party chief Mamata Banerjee that he wanted to leave politics only to pursue his career in cricket.
“I have requested the governor to accept his resignation,” Ms Banerjee said.
TMC ruled by Mamata Banerjee has been facing a big challenge as many of its leaders have quit the party only to join in Bhartiya Janata Party. Her long-time colleague Suvendu Adhikari’s resignation was a setback for her party.
“Didi would be left alone by the time polls come” said the Home Minister Amit Shah
The party is planning to succeed the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal in this year’s elections, with a raft of local leaders joining the BJP. The youngest brother of Suvendu Adhikari had switched sides, too, and joined the BJP. Soumendu Adhikari was a councillor and chief of the district of East Midnapore municipality. Last week, at least a dozen other party councillors joined the BJP with him.