Ex-JD(U) Leader Pavan Varma, Congress' Kirti Azad Joins TMC

"It makes me happy to say that under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee," Kirti Azad said.

Former JD(U) leader Pavan Varma on Tuesday, 23 November, joined the Trinamool Congress in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi. Later in the day, Congress leader Kirti Azad was also inducted in the party in the national capital.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Former JD(U) leader Pavan Varma on Tuesday, 23 November, joined the Trinamool Congress in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi. Later in the day, Congress leader Kirti Azad was also inducted in the party in the national capital.

Former aide of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Tanwar also joined Banerjee-led party on Tuesday.

NDTV quoted Varma telling reporters: "After leaving the JDU I had time for contemplation. Looking at today's political landscape, we can see it is necessary to have a strong opposition. Mamataji is building a meaningful party and that is why I joined."

Varma has, in the past, served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, and also an adviser to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with cabinet rank.

In January 2020, Varma, along with then JD(U) vice-president Prashant Kishor were sacked by Kumar over disagreements pertaining to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The Nitish Kumar-led party supported CAA in the Parliament.

'Personality Like Mamata Needed in Country': Azad

Speaking to reporters after his induction, Azad said, "It makes me happy to say that under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, I'll work for the development of the nation. Today, a personality like her is needed in the country who can show the country the right direction," ANI quoted.

Azad, a three time MLA from Darbhanga in Bihar had defected from BJP to Congress in 2019.

Congress' Adhir Ranjan Choudhary on Tuesday slammed party leaders who are joining TMC lately, saying that they are partaking in 'opportunistic politics.'

"These people thought they will not earn profit here. TMC has brought a lot of money by looting West Bengal and is doing political trade in Delhi," Choudhary asserted.

'Big Decision to Defeat BJP': Mamata Addresses Party Workers

Welcoming the new party workers to TMC, Banerjee later in the day said, "Extremely happy that you have taken this decision for the country, and to defeat BJP. This is a big decision. I say Namaskar to your decision."

Along with Mamata's video welcoming the members, the party's Twitter handle posted, "Today was a very special day for the TMC."

 Mamata Banerjee Meets Javed Akhtar, Sudheendra Kulkarni

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC General secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a meeting with renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar and author Sudheendra Kulkarni on Tuesday.

(With inputs from NDTV and ANI.)