Chandan Mitra quits BJP, TMC waits

Chandan Mitra was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009. In June 2010, BJP got him elected to the upper house from Madhya Pradesh. His term ended in 2016.

Chandan Mitra, BJP leader, Chandan Mitra quits BJP, Pioneer MD Chandan Mitra, journalist Chandan Mitra, West Bengal, TMC, Chandan Mitra to join TMC, Amkit Shah, Indian Express

Chandan Mitra, considered to be close to party veteran L K Advani, was sidelined under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah leadership. (File/Express Photo)

Two-term Rajya Sabha MP Chandan Mitra said Wednesday that he had resigned from the BJP. Amid speculation that he may join the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Mitra said he would “not comment before Monday”.

TMC sources, however, said Mitra, the Editor and Managing Director of The Pioneer, was likely to join the party. “Senior TMC leaders in Delhi and our party supremo have already held talks with him. He has shared his willingness to join Mamata Banerjee. We are confident that he will join TMC,” said a source close to Banerjee.

“Talks are on with him, and he may join us shortly,” TMC Lok Sabha MP Sisir Adhikari told The Indian Express. While there was speculation that Mitra may join the TMC at the Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata on July 21, party sources said nothing had been finalised yet.

The Indian Express reported on July 17 that Mitra had sent his resignation to BJP chief Amit Shah. When contacted, he had declined to comment.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders said they were not aware of the development. “I really do not know about this. It is his decision,” said Rahul Sinha. BJP general secretary.

“I have no information about his resignation. I am surprised to hear that he has left the party,” said senior party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Mitra was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009. In June 2010, BJP got him elected to the upper house from Madhya Pradesh. His term ended in 2016.

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Although he was a prominent face of the BJP in Delhi circles and often defended the party on crucial issues, Mitra, considered to be close to party veteran L K Advani, was sidelined under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah leadership. A party leader said the new leadership saw Mitra as a key member of the “Advani camp”, which has been marginalised since 2014 when the BJP came to power.

Of late, Mitra had started criticising the party. When the BJP was defeated in the Kairana bypoll in May, Mitra was quoted as saying that the party did not pay adequate attention to the issue of sugarcane farmers. Terming the defeat as a “serious setback”, Mitra told NDTV that the BJP would have a serious fight on its hands in the run-up to the 2019 general elections if the Opposition unites.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

Liz Mathew

Have been in journalism covering national politics for 23 years. Have covered six consecutive Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls in almost all the states. Currently writes on ruling BJP. Always loves to understand what's cooking in the national politics (And ventures into the act only in kitchen at home). ... Read More

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