Kolkata, May 15 -- Former Union Minister and ex BJP MP from Alipurduar John Barla, joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday, alleging that the BJP consistently blocked his efforts to work for tribal communities and tea garden workers.
Barla, who served as the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs in the Narendra Modi government from 2021 to 2024, was denied a BJP ticket for last year's Lok Sabha elections. The party fielded Manoj Tigga instead, who went on to win the seat. Following this, Barla distanced himself from the BJP's West Bengal leadership, fuelling speculation about his political future.
After officially switching sides, Barla criticised BJP's internal functioning, accusing Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Oppo...