Mamata Banerjee on Thursday ended her public silence on former judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, tearing into him and the BJP, which he joined earlier in the day, to voice doubts on his motivation in a long series of judgments and observations against the Trinamul dispensation.

Gangopadhyay, who tendered his resignation from Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, had passed orders that resulted in 14 CBI probes and the arrest of four Trinamul MLAs.

“While occupying the chair of justice, the BJP babu announced he would join the party. Can anyone expect justice from such people? Every single day, they accept a PIL and work under the BJP’s instructions,” said the chief minister at the Esplanade culmination event of her grand march to celebrate women.

“I will not comment on judges, but I am free to express my views on judgments. We too are aware of the law. People express frustration with the verdicts from some,” she added, hours after the former judge joined the BJP in its Salt Lake office, in an event overseen by the leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and state unit chief Sukanta Majumdar. “I am happy their masks are finally off.”

Gangopadhyay, 62, pledged to oust the “corrupt” Trinamul regime from Bengal and expressed joy at joining the BJP.

Sources in the BJP state unit said Gangopadhyay had been advised to steer clear of courting controversy after some of his comments and personal attacks on journalists asking uncomfortable questions on Tuesday embarrassed the party.

On Thursday, Gangopadhyay was visibly reluctant to take questions. The Nandigram MLA was overheard telling Gangopadhyay not to do so. The former judge evaded a clear response on whether he would contest the general election this time.

“Whatever responsibility the party gives me, I will perform with diligence,” he said.

Adhikari said Bengal’s politics needed someone like him.

Bengal BJP unit chief Sukanta Majumdar said: “He may have resigned as a judge, but will forever be known as a Justice… for his landmark judgments. His joining (the BJP) proves ours is the only party capable of fighting Trinamul’s corruption and misrule.”

Gangopadhyay had sought to be seen as a crusader against corruption, especially for judgments related to alleged recruitment scams for which he had been drawing fierce criticism from Trinamul and plaudits from the CPM and the Congress — besides the BJP. But his decision to join the BJP angered the Congress and the Marxists.

On Thursday, Mamata did not name Gangopadhyay but referred to his judgments that derailed recruitments.

“Devouring jobs of thousands of youths, somebody was acting as a big leader,” Mamata said. “Every day, speeches were delivered.... Abhishek (Banerjee) was openly attacked verbally, repeatedly. Where did he (indicating Gangopadhyay) go today? The people will give verdict on him now.... No matter where he contests from, I will take students there, because they will fight him for taking their jobs away.”

Additional reporting by Saibal Gupta