"18 Trinamool councillors set to join BJP along with me," claims TMC MLA Wilson Champramary a week after 15 councillors joined BJP

Adding to the mega exodus of councillors leaving Trinamool and joining BJP in West Bengal, on Monday, Trinamool MLA Wilson Champramary has said that 18 councillors along with himself will be joining BJP adding that many more are in contact with BJP high command.

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Earlier on June 17, Noapara MLA Sunil Singh, along with the 15 Trinamool councillors joined the BJP in the presence of general secretary and West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, and senior leader Mukul Roy.

Speaking about the sudden switch of loyalties seen in the state, Vijayvargiya said that BJP was preferred by those who wished peace in the state.

"The BJP has emerged as a strong player in West Bengal politics and is the first preference for those who want peace and development in the state," Vijayvargiya said.

Three Trinamool MLAs Led By Mukul Roy's Son Subhrangshu On Way To Delhi, Likely To Join BJP: Sources

The exodus of councillors deserting the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and favouring the BJP started when senior Trinamool leader Mukul Roy, his son Subhrangshu - who was suspended from the Trinamool for six years for anti-party activities along with other MLAs had joined BJP, a few days after the election results were declared.

Warning the defecting members of her party, Trinamool, on Sunday had issued a statement saying that any crimes committed by the defected party members will be punished adding that they cannot escape even if they had joined BJP.

"A very few members from panchayats and municipalities have joined the BJP because of their ulterior motives and selfish vested interests. They have done this with the hope that their misdeeds and crimes will be washed away. They are mistaken. “If there has been wrongdoing on anyone’s part, he will have to face the consequences even though he has the backing of the BJP,” TMC said in a statement.

As of date, several TMC MLAs and over 50 municipal councillors have joined the BJP after it made deep inroads in West Bengal in the recent Lok Sabha polls where it won 18 seats in the state.