Kolkata: Shilabhadra Dutta, MLA from Barrackpore in West Bengal, resigned from the Trinamool Congress on Friday. This is the third major blow to the Trinamool Congress in the last 24 hours. Dutta has been an MLA twice. Dutta said that he has sent his resignation by email to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.
Dutta’s resignation has intensified speculation that he too may join a group of leaders who have either joined the BJP or are keen to join the saffron party ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. “I think in the current scenario I was not able to fit into the party,” he told reporters. But I will not resign from the post of MLA. ” He said, “Why should I resign from the post of MLA? I win because of the vote of the people. If I go (resigns), where will they go? “
For the past few months, Dutta has been protesting over election strategist Prashant Kishore and his interference in party affairs. Dutta was once close to Mukul Roy. Roy left the Trinamool Congress and joined the BJP. Dutta has also given statements against some senior Trinamool Congress leaders.
