‘BJP didn’t give me the due respect’, says John Barla

Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 22 Jan 2025, Siliguri: Political circles in West Bengal are abuzz with speculation over former Union Minister John Barla’s crossing over to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). 

Barla, a prominent leader from the tea belt region, has expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP’s state leadership, accusing the party of neglecting the development of the Terai and Dooars areas. Barla arrived at Bagdogra airport on Wednesday from Delhi and made remarks about his upcoming meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

Speaking to media persons, he claimed that BJP had failed to give him the due recognition and blamed the party for its poor performance in recent by-elections. “We established the BJP in North Bengal. BJP won the elections in 2019 with our support. But the leadership did not give me the due respect which I deserved. 

They thought they could win the by-elections without me, but they failed. I had secured several Central projects for the development of tea gardens, but my own party members blocked them. The tea belt remains underdeveloped because of this negligence,” Barla said. 

Barla further said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had personally invited him to a meeting in Suhasini, Alipurduar, through the District Magistrate. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

“The Chief Minister wants to meet me. I believe my presence is necessary because the state’s cooperation is crucial for the development of the Terai-Dooars region,” he added. Barla, however, remained non-committal about his political future. “If the Chief Minister blesses me, I will be able to develop the tea gardens again. 

Time will decide what happens next,” he said. Barla started having problems with the BJP after the party nominated Manoj Tigga as the Lok Sabha candidate for the Alipurduar constituency without consulting Barla. Barla accused Tigga of multiple corruption charges. He had also conducted a “No vote for Manoj Tigga” campaign before the elections. 

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-attend-mamatas-meeting-on-jan-23-says-bjps-john-barla-amid-speculation-about-his-future-move-595920