Ex-judge joins BJP: ‘Aim is to remove corrupt Bengal govt’

DAYS AFTER tendering his resignation as Calcutta High Court judge, Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Thursday joined the BJP in Kolkata. The former high court judge, who had several run-ins with the TMC government for almost two years now following his orders and judgements, was inducted into the party by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, party's Bengal observer Mangal Pandey, and other state leaders.

Soon after joining, Gangopadhyaysaid,“todayihaveentered into a new world where people like Prime Minister Narendra Modi,unionhomeministeramit Shah, and other leaders are present. I will try my best to shoulder whateverresponsibilitytheparty will give me”.

“Our prime objective is to remove a corrupt government from Bengal and ensure that the foundation for its ouster is made in this Lok Sabha polls. It pains me to see that Bengal is continuously going backwards. There is a need for the BJP to come to power in Bengal. There is a need to put up a serious fight against the state government,” he added.

On Tuesday, Gangopadhyay had submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, copies of which were sent to CJI D Y Chandrachud and Calcutta High Court CJ TS Sivagnanam. Later, he held a press meeting at his residence where he expressed his desire to join the BJP.

After inducting Roy into the party, BJP Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar said, “Today, it is a historic moment in Bengal politics. Former Justice of Calcutta High Court Abhijit Gangopadhyay joined our party today. Although officiallyheisnolongerajustice,in people'sheartsandminds,hewill alwaysremainajudgewhohasalways provided justice to them. In the days to come, he will be made to take part in electoral politics”.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “He never compromised and fought for the rights of the people, especially for the youth and job seekers. We welcome him to the party. In today's political scenario in Bengal, there is a need to have a person like him. Before joining our party today, he took blessings from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Withhimintheparty,wefeelthat the real parivartan (change) will come in Bengal”.