Former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who tendered his resignation from service on Tuesday, has taken a significant political leap by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The announcement came on Thursday afternoon, sparking a strong reaction from Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The move has raised questions about the credibility of the judgments passed by Gangopadhyay during his tenure on the bench.
A Swift Transition
The decision of Abhijit Gangopadhyay to align with the BJP was swift. In a brief joining ceremony, he accepted the party’s flag from state and central leaders. “I will be an allegiant and disciplined soldier of the party,” Gangopadhyay declared. “Our primary target is to send off a corrupt government and a corrupt party. I am sorry to see Bengal falling behind in every sphere. Bengal needs a BJP government.”
The former judge’s resignation, sent directly to the President on Tuesday morning, took effect immediately under Article 217 (1) (a) of the Constitution. Speculation is rife that the BJP may field him as a candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Tensions and Controversies
The journey of Abhijit Gangopadhyay into politics has not been without controversy. His statements have drawn the ire of the ruling TMC, which has been at loggerheads with him since 2022. Several of his judgments went against the government, and his remarks about top TMC leaders, including the party’s national general secretary and the chief minister’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, further strained relations.
In a recent statement, Gangopadhyay explained his decision: “I had very little time to decide. I approached BJP, and BJP approached me over the last seven days. That’s why I was on leave during this period. I stopped adjudicating so that nobody could raise an allegation.”
TMC’s Response
TMC leaders have alleged that regardless of whether Gangopadhyay was on leave or not, his admission to the BJP is proof of a sitting judge’s connection with the party. Legal experts are being consulted to assess the implications of this move.
At a rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee, addressing the TMC’s women members, referred to Gangopadhyay as “BJP Babu” instead of using his name. She accused him of being in touch with the BJP while hearing cases, suggesting that his orders were influenced by the party. “Justice was crying in a corner,” she asserted.
The Political Landscape
As Abhijit Gangopadhyay steps into the political arena, the spotlight is on his transition from the judiciary to active politics. His move has intensified the already charged political climate in West Bengal, where the BJP and TMC are engaged in a fierce battle for supremacy.
Only time will reveal the impact of this unexpected shift, but one thing is certain: Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s entry into the BJP has set tongues wagging and raised pertinent questions about the intersection of law, politics, and personal convictions.
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