As is an old saying, that there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics. However, when a foe is to turn into a friend, the least one can do is delete the tweets where you have painted your then-a-foe-now-a-friend into the devil incarnate.
It was reported today that Dr Chandan Mitra an Indian journalist, presently editor and managing director of The Pioneer newspaper in Delhi, India. Who was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha during August 2003 to August 2009 and was elected to another term in the Rajya Sabha, as a Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Madhya Pradesh, in June 2010, has joined Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Chandan Mitra, Former CPM MP Moinul Hasan, Congress’s Sabina Yasmin and Mizoram advocate-general Biswajit Deb have joined TMC: TMC Chief & West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (File pic) pic.twitter.com/OUYaRXWqcr
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2018
It was reported by ANI that Dr Chandan Mitra, Former CPM MP Moinul Hasan, Congress’ Sabina Yasmin and Mizoram advocate general Biswajit Deb had joined TMC.
Chandan Mitra, who has had quite a love-hate relationship with the BJP’s support base, has, however, not always had such a hunky-dory relationship with the TMC as one might suspect today.
Previously, on numerous occasions, Mitra had lashed out at TMC and party supremo Mamata Banerjee for various issues. As Mitra joins TMC, it would perhaps be wise of him to get rid of the following tweets.
In April 2014, presumably during the Lok Sabha elections, following were Chandan Mitra’s tweets.
To stop the reign of terror of TMC hooligans the EC should immediately deploy Central Paramilitary forces in southern West Bengal.
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) April 12, 2014
TMC has rigged polls totally in Dhaniakhali segment of Hooghly Lok Sabha seat.
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) April 30, 2014
I toured Dhaniakhali. All oppn party polling agents turfed out of booths. No Central forces in sight. TMC boys feasting outside booths
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) April 30, 2014
Submitted detailed complaint of rigging by TMC to Hooghly Returning Officer seeking re poll in entire Dhaniakhali assembly segment
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) April 30, 2014
TMC activists trying every trick in the book to harass BJP workers and supporters. Shows their growing desperation!
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) April 29, 2014
In the same year, his tirade against the TMC had not stopped. He called TMC as ‘savages’ and ‘ruffians’.
Worse than savages! Hooghly BJP activist’s chest disfigured with cigarette burns to etch TMC. His crime: attended Nov 30 mega rally
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) December 6, 2014
In lawless Bengal BJP leaders incl. self held up by TMC ruffians at exit gate of Raichak on Ganges as we were leaving after chintan meeting
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) September 10, 2015
He had also said that Mamata Banerjee was celebrating her ‘poton diwas’ (Downfall day).
BJP is observing Utthan (Rising) Divas with today’s rally. Mamata totally disoriented. She is observing Poton Divas to mark her collapse
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) November 30, 2014
He had also wondered if the CBI (then under UPA rule) would have the guts to question P Chidambaram’s wife who had benefitted from the Bengal “cheat fund” scam (under Mamata Banerjee).
Will CBI have guts to question PC’s wife who benefited from Bengal cheat fund scam? His family is looting India since long
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) April 24, 2013
He had also said that as long as TMC and the Left rule West Bengal, the state’s industry can never flourish.
In Bengal new industry won’t start nor old industry sustain, as long as anti industry CPM and TMC set the political agenda
— Dr. Chandan Mitra (@DrChandanMitra) May 25, 2014
While political affiliations are transient and many have changed sides all too often, these tweets certainly make one wonder what changed his opinions.