Close on the heels of the raging controversy over the recent ban on political processions, which left the Left Front big brother CPI(M) most troubled, party’s former Rajya Sabha MP, Bratin Sengupta today joined the BJP. ‘‘BJP under Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is the only alternative to both the Left and Congress-sponsored disrupting forces,’’ Sengupta said. Sengupta told press that he’s formally signing up with the BJP for protecting ‘‘a greater national interest.’’Sengupta is the second CPI(M) leader to join the BJP in five years after Denesh Jowrdar joined the party in 1998 — Trinamool Congress-BJP heydays in the state.Sengupta’s term as party’s Rajya Sabha MP expired last year. Though the party wouldn’t attach much value to Sengupta’s signing up with the BJP, it would have an impact said, a party insider.Sengupta claims he didn’t renew his membership while he was party’s Rajya Sabha member. The party on the other hand says it didn’t allow him to continue.‘‘We’re not bothered where he goes,’’ said CPI(M) state secretary Anil Biswas.Sengupta’s snapping of ties came close after another Lok Sabha MP Radhika Ranjan Paramanik was expelled from the party.
