Congress accuses TMC of poaching MLAs, councillors

KOLKATA: West Bengal state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury today accused the ruling Trinomool Congress of trying to "poach" Congress MLAs, councillors and civic body representatives by using either "fear or money".

"Trinomool Congress is using its money power, muscle power and police administration to lure away our MLAs, councillors and civic body representatives. They are sending police officers to our MLAs and councillors and asking them to join Trinomool Congress or face dire consequences. This tendency of TMC is undemocratic and against the principles of democracy," Chowdhury told reporters here.

When asked whether he has any specific information about the MLAs on whom TMC was trying to poach, Chowdhury didn't reveal the names.

The Congress with 44 MLAs is presently the main opposition party in the state Assembly.