New Delhi: TMC Minister Firhad Hakim A heated debate broke out in West Bengal Assembly Invite BJP MLA on Wednesday Agnimitra Paul To go in favor of the ruling party in the state. The remarks, made during a discussion on ‘Constitution Day’ and in the backdrop of TMC’s sweeping by-election victory, drew a sharp reaction from Paul, who accused the TMC of displaying a “supremacy mentality”.
Hakim, while addressing the House, seized the opportunity to take a dig at the BJP over the by-election results. “There was so much mudslinging and false propaganda against TMC, and yet the result is 6-0,” he said, referring to TMC’s clean sweep in the bypolls.
Turning directly towards Agnimitra Paul, he said, “I have something to tell you. Many people have left your party and joined our party. Why don’t you do the same? If you don’t do this, you may lose your party too.” Are.” Constituency in the next election.”
Paul hit back with a defiant response. He said, “I have a certain ideology and principles, that’s why I am in BJP.”
“Through his comments, Firhad Hakim has once again exposed the supremacy mentality of TMC. It seems he has already assumed that I will lose in the 2026 elections. If my party does not give me the ticket , So I won’t criticize it Paul said, “I would advise Hakeem to pay attention to respecting women and learn to respect female opposition leaders.”
According to news agency PTI, Paul had earlier criticized the state government for alleged constitutional violations. After his address, Hakim launched his counterattack in which he invited Paul to switch allegiance.
Paul, who won the Asansol South seat in the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, lost the 2022 Asansol Lok Sabha by-election and the 2024 general elections, where she contested from Medinipur.
Former Union minister Babul Supriyo and BJP national vice president Mukul Roy both joined TMC after the 2021 assembly elections. In that election, the BJP secured 77 seats in the 294-member assembly, but its tally dropped to 69 after several by-elections and defections.
In the by-elections held on November 13, TMC retained five out of six seats and wrested control of Madarihat from the BJP. The by-elections were an important test for the ruling party, especially as protests intensified over the RG car issue.
Despite these challenges, TMC emerged victorious in both rural and urban constituencies, retaining its stronghold in South Bengal, while also making gains in North Bengal, where the BJP had earlier won Madarihat in 2021.