Kolkata: Tripura Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ashish Das performed havan and shaved off his head at the Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata on Tuesday as “penance” for his time with the saffron party.


Announcing his exit from the BJP, Das hinted that he would join West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC).


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“I am quitting the BJP today. I had talks with the TMC. More BJP MLAs may leave the party in the coming days,” he said, ANI reported.


This move by the Surma MLA, who has in the past showered praises on the TMC supremo, comes as a fresh jolt to the BJP in Tripura ahead of the state assembly elections to be held in early 2023.


He had lauded after Banerjee after her spectacular victory in the Bhabanipur assembly by-poll and claimed her to be the face of opposition for the 2024 general elections.


Earlier on Monday, Das showered praise on Banerjee and said that she has risen to become one of the most popular chief ministers in the country.


“All evil forces would be destroyed by the matri shakti,” he told the media.


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He also alleged that dictatorship is reigning supreme in the BJP-ruled states, including Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.


The BJP MLA has been critical of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb and has spoken against him in several public events.