TMC MLA Manirul Islam joins BJP

Islam went to Delhi to join the party, less than a week after the BJP scripted a massive victory in the Lok Sabha polls and are about to form the government for a second consecutive term.

Mamata Banerjee not to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow:

Alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is politicising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony by inviting the families of alleged slain saffron party workers of the eastern state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to skip the event.

Banerjee had earlier decided to attend the event.

Addressing the Prime Minister on Twitter, she denied any political murders in the state. "These deaths may have occurred due to political enmity, family quarrels and other disputes; nothing related to politics. There is no such record with us."

The Chief Minister wrote, "The oath-taking ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party."

The kins of of the BJP victims will board the Rajdhani Express from Howrah Station here at 4:50 pm.

After making sharp comments against the Prime Minister during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, Banerjee, who heads the Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Tuesday said she will attend Modi's oath-taking ceremony.

"I have been invited to the oath taking ceremony. I had a talk with two other Chief Ministers. I will try to attend," the Chief Minister had said at state secretariat Nabanna.

Banerjee's possible attendance has gained significance as one of her ousted party MLA and several councilors joined the BJP only a day ago. Eventually, the TMC has lost its control in four municipalities due to the defections.

During the poll campaign, Banerjee, who posed confident to oust the BJP from power, often made personal attacks on Modi. The TMC supremo had even dragged Modi's estranged wife Jashodaben in her attack on the BJP leader.

Banerjee also dared to give a "slap of democracy" on Modi's face and said she would send a sweet of mud with stones to the Prime Minister.

Despite the TMC chief's roar, the BJP made deep inroads in West Bengal by winning 18 Lok Sabha seats. The TMC could win 22 seats, 12 less than its 2014 General Elections tally.

Modi, who was appointed as the Prime Minister by President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday, will take oath as the Prime Minister for the second consecutive term.

Image: BJP Twitter page