West Bengal: Ex-BJP leader John Barla joins TMC ahead of 2026 elections
In a significant political shift ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, former BJP Union Minister John Barla joined Trinamool Congress, expressing gratitude to Mamata Banerjee for the opportunity to serve the people of West Bengal. Barla cited obstacles within the BJP, including the alleged obstruction of a hospital project by Suvendu Adhikari, as reasons for his departure.
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Former BJP Union Minister and tea-belt heavyweight leader John Barla on Thursday joined Trinamool Congress, thanking Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for giving him the opportunity to work for the people of the state.After the exodus of around 10 BJP MLAs since 2021, Barla leaving BJP is a jolt to the party ahead of 2026 assembly polls, especially in the tea belt of North Bengal.Barla has control over the tea garden belt of North Bengal, especially in Alipurduar.Subrata Bakshi, a senior Trinamool Congress leader, said, 'After Barla's inclusion in our party, our tea garden belt- level organization will be strengthened. It is a right decision by Mamata Banerjee to take him in the party.''I want to thank Didi for giving me the opportunity to work for the people in the tea garden. The tribal status to the tea garden workers has been given to West Bengal. In Assam, where a double engine government exists, it is yet to be done. Mamata Banerjee's Duare Sarkar, Lakshmir Bhandar and other social welfare schemes have benefited the people in the tea gardens,' Barla claimed and mentioned that he had faced multiple obstacles in BJP and failed to do his duty despite being a public representative.'Around 6-7 months of discussions were going on and Didi called me to work for people. I have worked for tea gardens as a Union Minister but I faced obstacles. I wanted to build a hospital but despite receiving full funds, LoP leader Suvendu Adhikari prevented it. It was 100% funding from the Centre and Railway had given go ahead for land,' Barla claimed, after joining Trinamool Congress.Slamming Adhikari for his role, Barla said, 'I wanted to make a Rs 160 crore hospital, but Adhikari blocked it. We were about to sign the MoU. But a call came from here to the ministry and the work was stopped. If development work is stopped by a party, who can work like this? Why should I be part of that party? Tea garden workers had blessed the BJP but what did they get in return?"Trinamool Congress is targeting the tea-belt of North Bengal which had voted BJP in previous Lok Sabha polls in 2019 and 2024 and also 2021 assembly polls. Barla's inclusion in Trinamool will help to penetrate in the tribal and tea-belt vote bank in 2026 assembly polls."I want to thank Mamata Banerjee, who worked for the tea gardens with schemes like Cha Sundari. Getting pattas (deeds) was a long-standing demand of the region since the Adivasi movement of 2007… In the coming days, I will surely talk to Didi about the other issues of the tea gardens. I will hold a discussion with her," Barla added.
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