TMC factions decide not to contest bypolls. (Image: Internet)
New Delhi: The BJP is all set to win all three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal in the July 24 bypolls,even as both factions of the Trinammol Congress(TMC) have decided not to contest, sources said. Both the factions of TMC, claiming to be "original" are before the Election Commission, for the final judgement.
The BJP controls 208 of the state's 294 assembly seats. Of the 80 TMC candidataes who won the April elections, at least 65 have joined the rebel camp headed by Ritabrata Banerjee, whom the Speaker recognised as the leader of the opposition in June.
The Election Commission announced the by polls on July 6. The seats fell vacant after three TMC Rajya sabha members-- Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik-- resigned in quick succession in June when the TMC's defeat in the assembly polls triggered an unprecedented criisis in the party.
The terms of Roy and Baraik would have naturally ended in 2029 while Sushmita Dev could have continued in the Upper House in 2030. Now in the three seat by-poll, a candidate will need around 70 votes to win.
Loyalists of TMC (Mamata) faction allege that the BJP deliberately engineered TMC split under Ritabrata Banerjee, who is a BJP mole and plant. We won 80 seats. We could have won at least one Rajya sabha seat had these people not helped the BJP. By brining division within the TMC, The BJP wants to win three rajya sabha seats at free of cost. Those who resigned would be compensated by the BJP.
The BJP currently controls three of the 13 Rajya sabha seats from West Bengal. The remaining 10 TMC Rajya sabha are all known to be Mamata Banerjee loyalists.
