"Still With Trinamool": Turncoat Bengal MP Who Joined BJP Last Year

Trinamool said MP Sunil Mondal, who had switched over to the BJP last December, is "on probation" before his re-induction into the party.

In an embarrassment for the West Bengal BJP, Trinamool Congress MP Sunil Mondal, who had switched over to the saffron camp last December, on Monday said he is still a member of the Mamata Banerjee-led party and will continue to remain its member. The Trinamool, which has made representations with Speaker Om Birla to disqualify him under the anti-defection law, said that Mr Mondal is "on probation" before his re-induction into the party and was asked to prove his political convictions by taking part in anti-BJP programmes. The BJP claimed that the prospects of the party will not be affected if some "seasonal birds" leave it. "There was some misunderstanding with the party. But I never officially joined the BJP. It was a mistake on my part, and some misunderstandings did take place. But neither had I officially resigned from the Trinamool, nor did the party expel me. I am still a member of the Trinamool and will continue to be one till the last day," Mr Mondal told PTI over the phone.