Judge Gangopadhyay has made headlines with his decision to resign from his position and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His announcement comes amid speculation that he will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Bengal’s Tamluk constituency, a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress.
Judge Gangopadhyay, who confirmed his resignation just hours earlier, revealed his plans to join the BJP, possibly on March 7, during an interaction with reporters in Kolkata. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “very hardworking man” and criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress, which he accused of corruption and implied had inspired his entry into electoral politics.
“Trinamool is imploding… it means corruption. PM Modi is a very hardworking man and he is trying to do something for this country,” he declared, taking swipes at other opposition parties as well.
There is widespread speculation that Judge Gangopadhyay will be fielded by the BJP in the upcoming general election. The Tamluk seat, traditionally held by the Trinamool Congress since 2009, is being considered as a potential constituency for him to contest.
The decision to join politics comes after Judge Gangopadhyay confirmed his resignation, citing a desire for a courtesy visit with the Chief Justice and having already sent his resignation to the President. He had initially planned to hold a press conference but was reminded of the prohibitory orders against large gatherings due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In addition to his resignation, Justice Gangopadhyay’s political foray has been met with interest due to his past controversies and rulings. Last year, he made headlines for an interview discussing a bribery case he was hearing, prompting criticism from Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
Furthermore, Justice Gangopadhyay has been vocal about his opinions on various issues, including accusing a fellow judge of working for a political party and ordering the arrest of a lawyer in his courtroom on contempt charges, sparking a significant row within the legal community.
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Despite receiving an invitation from the Trinamool Congress to join politics, Justice Gangopadhyay opted for the BJP, citing his admiration for the party’s leadership and his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in West Bengal.
The move has raised questions about the intersection of judiciary and politics, with critics expressing concerns about the impartiality of judges entering the political arena. However, Justice Gangopadhyay remains undeterred, emphasizing his commitment to serving the people and bringing about positive change through his political endeavors.
As the political landscape in West Bengal continues to evolve, Justice Gangopadhyay’s decision to join the BJP adds a new dimension to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, with potential implications for both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.
Overall, Justice Gangopadhyay’s resignation and subsequent entry into politics mark a significant development in West Bengal’s political landscape, underscoring the complexities and challenges facing the state as it prepares for the upcoming elections.