"Strengthen Opposition": Sacked JD(U) Leader Pavan Varma Joins Trinamool

Mr Varma called the West Bengal CM "a big force" in national politics and claimed people from all parties, including the BJP, will join her.

Pavan Varma, former senior Janata Dal (United) leader, today joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the national capital. He was welcomed by the TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Mr Varma, along with political strategist Prashant Kishor, was sacked from JD(U) over disagreements with party chief Nitish Kumar regarding the controversial citizenship laws. We are elated to welcome Shri @PavanK_Varma into our Trinamool Congress family.His rich political experience will help us serve the people of India and take this nation forward to even better days! pic.twitter.com/DlBiYtaqFX

Mr Varma called the West Bengal CM "a big force" in national politics and claimed people from all parties, including the BJP, will join her. "There has been no discussion on a Rajya Sabha seat for me," he clarified. 

The Congress' Kirti Azad, a three-time MP from Darbhanga, Bihar will also join TMC later today. This is TMC's first foray into Bihar, with the party looking to strengthen itself as a national party before the Lok Sabha elections. "There will be more," said Mr Varma when asked if this is TMC's first foray into Bihar. 

"We are elated to welcome Shri @PavanK_Varma into our Trinamool Congress family. His rich political experience will help us serve the people of India and take this nation forward to even better days!" the TMC said on microblogging platform Twitter, along with a video of Mr Varma and Ms Banerjee greeting each other with folded hands after the Bengal CM officially welcomed him to the party.