Expelled CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay was today made the chairman of a committee constituted by the Mamata Banerjee government for the welfare of tribals in West Bengal.
Bandyopadhyay, who participated in a meeting chaired by the chief minister, would be coordinating with the members of the Tribal Development Commission, officials said.
"I have been made the chairman of the committee set up by the state government for the welfare of the tribal community in West Bengal. I will be coordinating with other members in the committee and give my best," Bandyopadhyay told PTI.
Heaping praise on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said, "Under Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal has surged ahead by leaps and bounds and this had never happened before. Development of West Bengal has always been the priority of Mamata Banerjee.
"I am an independent MP and I always wanted to take West Bengal ahead. That's why I am part of it now. I am humble to be a part in Didi's endeavour of transforming the state," Bandyopadhyay said.
Asked whether he is switching over to the Trinamool Congress, Bandyopadhyay said, "This is not the right time. But because I have been roped in a government job I will give my best. I will work together as a team."
He was expelled by the CPI(M) in September last year for "grave anti-party activities".
Speculations are rife in political circles here about his joining the TMC but there is no immediate confirmation either from Bandyopadhyay or the TMC.
More than 100 people from tribal-dominated pockets of Jhargram, Purulia, West Midnapore and Bankura districts took part in today's meeting where the chief minister asked women participants about the problems faced by them, officials said.
This is the first meeting held by the state government for tribal communities after the panchayat election in May.
The chief minister in a Facebook post said, "Under our community development initiative, it is indeed a pleasure to hear local development issues from these young men and women who have come from all over the state."
She stressed that her government is committed to provide an all round development for all the tribal communities in the state.
"Significant work has already been done in this regard and we are taking it forward in the days ahead with greater thrust," she added.
The BJP had performed well in districts such as Purulia and Jhargram in the rural poll. Party president Amit Shah had also held a public rally at Purulia on June 28.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
