West Bengal MPs Adopt Measured Isolationist Stance in Indian Politics

The twists and turns in West Bengal politics since the assembly elections are far from over. Now, three MPs from Murshidabad - Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman and Yusuf Pathan - have created a stir. Earlier, all three broke away from Mamata Banerjee's TMC to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). Now they have decided not to formally join the ruling BJP-led central coalition, which has a deep strategic thinking behind it. Instead of joining the central coalition, these three have adopted a measured isolationist stance. They stay away from high-level parliamentary meetings of the NDA in New Delhi, while negotiating only on administrative issues with the state and central leadership. This deliberate strategy of silence was evident when the leaders were asked about their future political journey. Jangipur MP Khalilur Rahman said, "We had to discuss two subjects with the Home Minister, we cannot say anything on any other issue. Instead of engaging in dialogue with the three MPs from West Bengal, they are giving priority to mosques."