Trinamul supporters in Nagrakata waved black flags and demonstrated in front of local MLA Sukra Munda on Friday, demanding he step down immediately from the MLA’s post.
The protests came in the wake of Munda joining the BJP last month.
The Nagrakata MLA, who had won on a Trinamul ticket at the 2016 Assembly elections, joined the BJP citing “neglect" by ministers in Trinamul. “People had voted for me but whenever I would approach the state ministers, I was made to wait for hours. Nothing was done for my constituency. The party went on ignoring me,” the MLA had said then.
Since his defection, Trinamul leaders and workers of his constituency have raised the demand that he should resign from his post as he has defected to another party.
On Tuesday, Trinamul supporters, led by some local leaders, took out a protest march in Dhumpara area of the block. When Munda reached the locality to arrange a social function, agitators waved black flags at him and shouted slogans.
“Sukra Munda betrayed the confidence of thousands of people who voted for him. He should immediately resign from the MLA’s post and unless he does so we will continue our protests against him,” said Raju Chhetri, local Trinamul leader.
“For five years, he has enjoyed all the benefits as an MLA and recently he has defected to BJP. He has no right to hold the MLA’s post,” Hemanta Roy, another Trinamul leader said.
An unperturbed Munda said he would hold the post till the last day of his tenure.
“Why should I listen to Trinamul? They can make their demands but I want to make it clear that I will continue to hold the MLA’s post till the last date of my tenure. The police and the administration should see to it that I get proper security cover as these people had assembled near me and there was a security risk,” said the MLA.