"Poaching Not Our Style. However...": Trinamool On New Recruit Sushmita Dev

Sushmita Dev, Congress member of three decades and daughter of party stalwart Santosh Mohan Dev, joined the Trinamool Congress on Monday.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Tuesday said his party were not in favour of "poaching" leaders from other outfits but will always welcome "those who are committed to journey with us for a better India", a day after the Congress's Sushmita Dev joined the party. "Poaching and breaking political parties not our style. However, always glad to welcome those who are committed to journey with us for a better India," he said at a news conference with Ms Dev. He also dismissed questions whether such switchovers will affect the ties among the opposition, saying, "Mamata Banerjee will be part of the August 20 meeting called by Sonia Gandhi. Opposition parties showed unity during the monsoon session of parliament." Sushmita Dev said her joining the Trinamool Congress is "unconditional" and she will take any responsibility given to her by party president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.