JOIN USIn massive jolt to BJP, Mukul Roy returns to Trinamool Congress
Nearly three and a half years after joining the BJP, its national vice president and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Mukul Roy returned to his former party on Friday, in a major jolt to the saffron party. Ironically, Roy’s “homecoming” was announced with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee by his side, whom he vowed to oust from power after he joined BJP in November 2017. Roy’s son and former TMC MLA Subrangshu Roy also returned to the party.
Speaking to reporters at the TMC headquarters in Kolkata, Roy said that he was unable to remain in the BJP and will not go there again.
“I will tell you in detail why I returned home today. I will give a detailed reply in writing and share it with you (media). I was unable to remain in the BJP and will not go there again. This is the reason why I returned,” said Roy.
On being asked whether Roy’s return will strengthen the TMC, Mamata said that the TMC was “already powerful”. Describing Roy as “a part of the family,” she said that Roy was “threatened with agencies.”
The Chief Minister also said that it was “impossible” for anyone to remain in the BJP as the party is “so merciless” that they don’t allow anyone to live with his or her humanity.
Even as she indicated that those who left the TMC to join the BJP with Roy, will be taken back into her party, Mamata said that the “hardliners” among the defectors who bitterly attacked and betrayed her party during the Assembly elections will not be inducted into the TMC.
“Mukul did not say a word against the party during elections. Those who tried to strengthen the BJP’s hands by betraying our party during the elections, we will not take them back. This has been decided by our party,” said Mamata.
As for the reason why Roy returned to the TMC, Mamata said that it was “his personal wish,” adding that the BJP was a party of “zamindars, feudal landlords and agencies who are its mouthpiece.”
“Yes, more people will come,” said Mamata.
Mamata said that Roy will “play an important role” in the TMC as he did before. Both Mamata and Roy rubbished claims of his disagreement with her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
Reacting to the development BJP State president Dilip Ghosh said, “I am not sure whether his (Roy’s) decision will result in any loss for the BJP. We definitely did not gain anything from him.”