TMC’s Derek meets Hemant, discusses common interests

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien on Wednesday flew down to Ranchi for a 45-minute closed-door meeting with chief minister Hemant Soren.The meeting comes in the backdrop of JMM withdrawing from the Bihar poll race after its seat-sharing talks with INDIA bloc partners – including Congress – failed. Soren in a post on X said, “Met Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O Brien in Ranchi today and discussed multiple issues.” Derek did not speak after the meeting. Sources said this is the first formal meeting Soren had with an INDIA bloc constituent after exiting the Bihar poll race. Unlike other INDIA bloc parties, Trinamool is not a Congress poll ally in Bengal.According to sources, Soren who shares a good equation with Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee discussed multiple issues of common interests, including opposition to the alleged overaction by central agencies. Sources said Soren also inquired on about the Bengal’s political situation. With the winter session of the Parliament scheduled to start in three weeks, and a week after the Bihar poll results, the two leaders also spoke on the opposition strategy on the floor of the Parliament.Later Derek also paid his respects to Stan Swamy Bagicha in Ranchi from where Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy was picked up by NIA in 2020. Derek also addressed over a 100 people who had gathered to meet him there.