Manas Bhunia's brother joins TMC

West Midnapore district Congress chief Bikas Bhunia, brother of party veteran Manas Bhunia, today joined Trinamool Congress along with several party leaders and panchayat body members.
"Bikas Bhunia along with several other Congress leaders of Sabang, members of two Left-controlled panchayat samities of Diamond Harbour and a Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor of Forward Bloc today joined TMC, Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee said.
"Panchayat body members are joining TMC as they want to be part of the developmental process started by Mamata Banerjee," he claimed.
When asked whether Manas Bhunia would also be welcomed in TMC, the nephew of Mamata Banerjee said, "He is a seasoned, experienced and good politician. It is he who has to decide about his own political future."

Manas and Bikas Bhunia are among the prime accused in the killing of a TMC worker during the last assembly elections.
When both Bikas Bhunia and Abhishek Banerjee were asked whether the former joining TMC was to get a clean chit in the case, they refused to comment saying the matter is subjudice.

"The matter is before the court. We have full faith in the judiciary. We will not comment on a matter which is subjudice," Banerjee said.
On his brother switching over to TMC, Manas Bhunia said "It is his personal decision. If someone is frustrated with the party leadership and wants to join some other party then how can I stop him. Regarding Abhishek's comment about my political future I just want to say he is a good and young politician."

On he would join TMC if he gets an offer, Manas Bhunia said "How can I comment on ifs and buts. First let me get the offer."
Manas Bhunia had been showcaused by Congress for refusing to step down from the post of the chairman of Public Accounts Committee despite repeated requests by party leaders. Thirty-nine party MLAs had jointly appealed to Bhunia to resign from that post.
Congress wants to give the PAC chairman's post to CPI(M), with which it had jointly contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year.