Ashis Das, a long-time BJP leader and MLA from Tripura’s Surma constituency, had his head tonsured on Tuesday as “penance” for the BJP-led government’s “misdeeds” in the state, and performed a yagna at Kolkata’s famous Kalighat temple, not far from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence.
He accused the BJP of fomenting “political disorder and chaos” in Tripura, claiming that people are dissatisfied with the state government’s performance, prompting him to leave the party.
He has supported Mamata Banerjee in the past, even suggesting she run for Prime Minister, and has been a vocal opponent of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb for the previous two years.
Mr Das is expected to join the Trinamool Congress, which has set its sights on Tripura. Early in 2023, the state will vote.
“As atonement for the BJP government’s misrule, I tonsured my head today. I’ve opted to leave the party, and my next move will be determined by the passage of time. But the instability and misrule that Tripura has seen under the BJP-led dictatorship has stirred me, and for the past two years, I have been a critic of all these wrongdoings and have been fighting for the people outside of politics and the party “Ashis Das expressed his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Tripura BJP officials told NDTV that Mr Das will face disciplinary action from the party.
Mr Das, an MLA from the Surma assembly seat in northern Tripura, also chastised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “selling most government properties to private parties” when speaking to the media in Kolkata.
“Modi’s messages sparked and influenced individuals from all walks of life across the country. ‘Na khaunga, na khane dunga,’ Modi famously said. However, it is now a well-known jumla in the country “he stated
Mr Das had previously commended Ms Banerjee for winning the by-election in the Bhabanipur Assembly seat, saying that many people and organisations want her to be Prime Minister, and that her ascension to the position is critical since she is Bengali.
The Chenab Times News Desk