West Bengal elections: A Former cricketer, a Santal academic and an Islamic scholar join TMC

Former Bengal cricketer Shib Shankar Paul, Santal academic Tanushree Hansda, and Islamic scholar Md Mufti Abdul Matin joined the Trinamool Congress. State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya welcomed them. The minister highlighted the government's focus on sports and empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. West Bengal assembly elections are scheduled for April 23 and 29. Vote counting is on May 4.