Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Abdul Majeed Memon joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday in the presence of senior party leaders Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien and Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy. The Rajya Sabha MP announced his resignation from the party in November this year, citing “personal reasons”.

In an official update by the All India Trinamool Congress, the party said, “Shri Majeed Memon joined the Trinamool Congress family in New Delhi today, in the presence of Shri Saugata Roy and Shri Derek O'Brien.”

Reportedly, Memon was upset with the party on account of being sidelined after his term ended on April 2, 2020. 

Soon after joining the party, Mr Memon described Mamata Banerjee as a "tigress".

"I joined the Trinamool Congress to protect democracy and the ethos of the country," Mr Memon told reporters.

"The voice of the TMC leader, the tigress, is not just heard in West Bengal but across the country. Despite shortcomings, she has challenged the party with money and muscle power. There is a law and order situation across the country, central agencies are being misused and at this time the Trinamool is challenging it," he said.

Earlier in the day, Memon posted a tweet in support of TMC MP Mahua Moitra's speech in the Lok Sabha yesterday. He wrote, "Mahua is right in winding up her burning speech in Lok Sabha by saying that the question is not who burnt the garden, it in fact is who gave match stick to insane gardener. Let us think about it."

The noted criminal lawyer had expressed his gratitude to NCP chief Sharad Pawar while announcing his resignation. He had been part of the party for 16 years.

“My gratitude to NCP Chief Hon’ble Sharad Pawarji for giving me honour and invaluable guidance during my 16 years with the NCP. For personal reasons I cease to be a member of NCP with immediate effect. My best wishes always with Pawar Saheb and the Party,” Memon tweeted in November.

Sources say more NCP leaders may follow him into the Trinamool Congress.

Image source: Twitter