TMC leader Suvendu quits as MLA, likely to join BJP

In West Bengal, TMC leader  Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday has resigned as an MLA fromthe state Assembly. He resigned from the post of a minister  in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's cabinet.The Trinamool has been firefighting to retain Mr Adhikari, who wields considerable influence over the local party leaders in Malda, Murshidabad, Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore, where he was the party in-charge.  His desertion may adversely impact the TMC's prospects in these areas in the Assembly polls likely in April-May next year.

Himself a two-term former MP, Adhikari's father Sisir Adhikari and brother Dibyendu are sitting TMC MPs from Tamluk and Kanthi Lok Sabha constituencies respectively. Suvendu Adhikari is the mascot of the Nandigram movement that added to the political heft of Mamata Banerjee and catapulted her to power.In the last two weeks, Adhikari loyalists in East Midnapore, his home ground, were either removed from posts or ousted after Banerjee asked the district leadership not to tolerate anti-party activities. There is a buzz that TMc leader Suvendu Adhikari may join the BJP during Union Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state later this week.