Former Janata Dal (United) leader Pavan Varma has joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). A former Rajya Sabha MP, Varma (68) is a diplomat-turned-politician who has authored several books and served as an advisor to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar with the rank of Cabinet minister.
On Tuesday, the TMC took to Twitter to post a video of West Bengal CM and party chief Mamata Banerjee welcoming Varma to the party during her three-day visit to New Delhi.
Talking to reporters after joining the TMC on Tuesday, Pavan Varma said that he would like to see Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
We are elated to welcome Shri @PavanK_Varma into our Trinamool Congress family.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 23, 2021
His rich political experience will help us serve the people of India and take this nation forward to even better days! pic.twitter.com/DlBiYtaqFX
“I believe TMC is becoming a formidable force in the country and is on the path to becoming the leading Opposition, which is why I took this decision,” Varma told India Today on Tuesday.
Asked if he was persuaded by Prashant Kishor to join the TMC, Verma said, “Surely we are good friends, I do consult with him but I won’t put this decision of mine on him.”
READ: Why Mamata's recent Rajya Sabha nominees have triggered disquiet in the TMC
“I don’t believe we should rule out any options in a large democracy like ours. The question is whether they are on the right track and that answer is surely TMC is slowly walking towards becoming the single largest Opposition party,” Varma added.
Responding to a question about whether the TMC plans to expand its footprint in Bihar, Varma said, “I can certainly say there are more to come if it’s about Bihar.”
Why Pavan Varma left JD(U)
The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) had expelled Pavan Varma and poll strategist Prashant Kishor from the party on January 29, 2020, for allegedly failing to accept 'party discipline'. Both Varma and Kishor had been critical of the JD(U) over the party's decision to endorse the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Bihar CM Kumar had first spoken about Pavan Varma on January 23, telling reporters, "He (Pavan Varma) is free to go wherever he wants."
Apart from serving as India's ambassador to several countries and a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Varma has also authored several books and is a recipient of Bhutan's highest civilian award - Druk Thuksey Award.
Varma is also the author of over a dozen best-selling books, including a book on Adi Shankaracharya and another on Ghalib, among others.