The New Indian Express ·
17 NCPI MPs to join BJP after Durga Puja, claims rebel TMC MP; BJP denies claim
KOLKATA: Rebel Trinamool Congress MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia has claimed that 17 of the 20 MPs who joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) four months ago will join the BJP before or after Durga Puja. His claim, however, was rejected by fellow rebel MPs and the West Bengal BJP.
Basunia, the MP from Cooch Behar, told a Bengali TV news channel that the remaining three MPs — Abu Taher Khan, Khaliloor Rahaman and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan from Murshidabad district — would not join the BJP but would support the BJP-led NDA.
He also claimed the three Muslim MPs would get portfolios in the Narendra Modi Cabinet.
