Bengal Sports Minister Quits, Mamata Banerjee Says “No Misunderstanding”

Kolkata:

Trinamool Congress MLA and minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla has stepped down from his submit within the authorities led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Mr Shukla, 39, quitting as Minister of State for Sports activities comes days after a number of Trinamool Congress leaders joined the BJP, with the election to the legislative meeting simply months away.

“I’ve obtained his resignation letter. Laxmi is an efficient boy and he desires to return to sports activities. There is no such thing as a misunderstanding… He’ll proceed as MLA until the election and I’ve really helpful to the governor that his resignation must be accepted,” Ms Banerjee mentioned at an occasion at this time.

Former captain of the Bengal Ranji group, Mr Shukla is MLA of Howrah (Uttar) constituency. In his letter to Ms Banerjee, the previous cricketer mentioned he desires to “retire” from politics.

Mr Shukla joined Ms Banerjee’s get together earlier than the final state election in 2016 and received.

The BJP is the largest problem to Ms Banerjee and her get together within the upcoming election. Her get together’s troubles began with the exit of her longtime colleague Suvendu Adhikari, who joined the BJP.

Dwelling Minister Amit Shah had mentioned, “Didi could be left alone by the point polls come”.

With a raft of native leaders becoming a member of the BJP, the get together is priming itself to exchange Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on this 12 months’s election.

Suvendu Adhikari’s youngest brother, too, had switched sides and joined the BJP. Soumendu Adhikari was a councillor and chairperson of a municipality in East Midnapore district. Not less than a dozen different get together councillors joined the BJP with him final week.

Two different members of the Adhikari household are nonetheless Trinamool MPs – Suvendu Adhikari’s father Sisir and brother Dibyendul.

On the launch of the Trinamool’s election marketing campaign final month, Ms Banerjee had mentioned leaders who’ve left the get together at a crucial time did so after benefiting from the get together’s success however failing to stay loyal.

“We’ll stand with folks and battle with them. That’s our promise. Who is greater than who within the get together shouldn’t be the difficulty. After benefiting from the get together for 10 years, after benefiting from being a part of the federal government, to hobnob with this and that get together… I cannot tolerate such folks,” Ms Banerjee had mentioned.