Rajbanshi leader Barman, ex-MLA Roy Pradhan join BJP

Kolkata: Bangshibadan Barman, leader of a Greater Coochbehar People's Association faction and former Trinamool ally, joined BJP on Tuesday. Former Trinamool MLA from Mekhliganj, Arghya Roy Pradhan, also defected to the saffron camp.Once a staunch BJP critic, Barman — who headed the Rajbanshi Development and Cultural Board — had been distancing himself from the state govt since the last Lok Sabha polls. He had recently demanded 25 assembly seats in North Bengal for the Rajbanshi community.Despite earlier criticising Union home minister Amit Shah over the non-fulfillment of the Narayani Regiment promise, Barman said on Tuesday: "The Rajbanshi community's culture and language have been neglected for long. The Centre has promised to support our cause."Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari handed the party flag to Roy Pradhan and Rajbanshi academic Girija Shankar Roy. "These developments are significant for North Bengal and indicate a desire for change," Adhikari said.Roy Pradhan, a former legislator from Tufanganj and Mekhliganj, was sidelined after Paresh Chandra Adhikari joined Trinamool from the Forward Bloc. With Trinamool denying him a ticket again this time, insiders suggest Roy Pradhan may be considered for the Cooch Behar seat, which BJP is yet to announce.