TMC offering me money, ministerial posts to join the party: ISF MLA

Indian Secular Front (ISF) legislator Nawshad Siddique on Monday claimed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has offered him a ministerial post and money to join them. The first-time MLA from Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district alleged that the ruling party is filing false cases against him after he refused the offer.

Mr. Siddique was arrested on August 20 for holding protests in Kolkata against the Special Intensive Revision. He was released on bail the next day.

“The reputation that I have managed to gain socially by working for people has become the reason for envy of the ruling party. I am being offered to join Trinamool. False cases are being filed against me, and when they are unable to keep up with me, they are trying to malign my reputation,” Mr. Siddique said.

The Bhangar MLA stated that a meeting of the State Assembly’s committee took place, where a TMC MLA made an offer. Later the day, I was arrested by the Kolkata Police.

“I am saying this on camera that I will think of ₹3,000 crore but not ₹30 crore. I will not take any money, but ₹30 crore is dust to me,” Mr. Siddique said, without specifying who offered him money.

In the 2021 Assembly polls, ISF has allied with CPI(M)-led Left Front and Congress.

Meanwhile, doubts raised over the timing of Mr. Siddique’s claims as Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, ahead of the Assembly poll, the ISF MLA made such allegations to set the stage to join the ruling party.

Mr. Adhikari also questioned the reason behind Mr. Siddique’s decision to first announce and then withdraw to contest against Abhishek Banerjee ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Diamond Harbour.

TMC social media in-charge Debangshu Bhattacharya said that ISF was AIMIM of West Bengal. Since AIMIM is a party of Urdu-speaking Muslims, the BJP wants a party of Bengali-speaking Muslims. Mr. Bhattacharya said that Mr. Siddique should complain about those who have offered money.