TMC minister of state’s brother takes BJP flag

Goalpokhar (Uttar Dinajpur): Trinamool minister of state Md Ghulam Rabbani’s brother Golam Haidar joined BJP on Saturday, giving the saffron party access to the minority community in Uttar Dinajpur. The district has a 49.92% Muslim population, according to the 2011 Census.

Haidar, along with his followers, took the BJP flag in the presence of Union minister of state Debasree Chaudhuri and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar.

Haidar’s move is likely to have an impact on minorities, who had gone with Congress since the days of former Union minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi and later cast votes for Trinamool.

Haidar’s induction came a day after rebel Trinamool leader Suvendu Adhikari resigned from the Cabinet on Friday. Haidar’s brother is known to be close to Adhikari. Ghulam Rabbani was elected from the Goalpokhar assembly seat.