Ex-Union min John Barla joins TMC
KOLKATA, May 15: In a jolt to the BJP ahead of next year’s assembly polls in West Bengal, former Union minister and ex-MP John Barla on Thursday joined the Trinamool Congress, alleging that the saffron party leadership repeatedly blocked his attempts to work for the welfare of tribal people and tea garden workers. The TMC said Barla switching sides would strengthen the organisation in the tea gardens of north Bengal, while the BJP asserted that his defection would have no impact on the party. Barla, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019 on a BJP ticket from Alipurduars (ST) seat and served as minister of state for minority affairs, had been openly critical of the party after being denied a ticket for the 2024 general elections. The BJP had fielded the party’s legislative chief whip, Manoj Tigga, in his place. Tigga went on to win the seat, which has a large population of tea garden workers and tribal communities. Since then, Barla had distanced himself from the BJP’s Bengal leadership, fuelling speculation about a possible switch. (PTI)
Jobless teachers gherao WB edn minister’s office
KOLKATA, May 15: Hundreds of school teachers, who have been rendered jobless by a Supreme Court order, on Thursday staged protests in front of the state Education department office in Salt Lake demanding restoration of their jobs. The protesters gathered in front of Bikash Bhavan in Salt Lake, the office of the education minister, disrupting traffic movement. Police put up barricades on the approach road to the office building, which the protestors tried to break through, demanding restoration of their jobs. (PTI)