Midnapore/Kolkata: Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday claimed that two BJP MLAs from West Midnapore were in touch with him wanting to switch sides, but said TMC deliberately shut its doors on them citing political principles and local sentiment.“How many MLAs does BJP have from here (West Midnapore)? Two. Both of them wanted to join Trinamool. Respecting your wishes, we kept the doors shut,” Banerjee said while addressing a party programme.He added that TMC would not absorb netas associated with what he described “was a violent political past”. “Those aged 45–50 know the history of Sital Kapat… CPM had its strongmen and BJP has its executioners. They will not become Trinamool’s assets,” he said.“Hiran came to my office with Ajit Maiti — you’ve seen that — but we did not take him, respecting your demands,” he added.Pitching for the 2026 assembly polls, Banerjee urged party workers to focus on Kharagpur. “Make Trinamool victorious in Kharagpur. BJP had an MP for five years and you got nothing.” Of the 15 assembly constituencies in West Midnapore, TMC won 13 seats. BJP won Kharagpur (Hiran) and Ghatal (Sital Kapat).It was, however, not clear from Banerjee’s remarks if the alleged overtures by BJP MLAs were recent or linked to earlier political contacts. TOI’s calls to Hiran went unanswered.Kapat strongly denied Banerjee’s claims, launching a scathing counter-attack. “Abhishek Banerjee lost his temper. After coal theft, cattle smuggling, sand theft and stealing ‘Pishi files’, what answer am I supposed to give?” Kapat said.Asserting that the political tide was turning against TMC, Kapat added that “if BJP opens its doors, it is doubtful whether even 100 Trinamool MLAs will remain”.Senior BJP netas also dismissed Banerjee’s claims. “The situation is exactly the opposite. Many TMC netas are in touch with us and want to join BJP before elections,” a senior BJP functionary said.
