'Ghar-Wapsi': BJP leader Mukul Roy, son return to TMC

15:13 June 11

Kolkata/Hyderabad: In a surprise development on Friday, former BJP national vice-president and MP from Krishnanagar North, Mukul Roy, has joined the Trinamool Congress. This comes after a meeting between Roy and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His son Subhrangshu Roy also returned to the Trinamool Congress.

The event was preceded by a meeting between him and the top brass of TMC, including Mamata and TMC national secretary Abhishek Banerjee at the Trinamool Congress Bhavan in Kolkata. TMC top brass including Abhishek Banerjee was present at the meeting. "I have joined TMC today. In the present circumstances, no one will stay in Bharatiya Janata Party", said Roy after joining TMC.

During the press briefing, CM Banerjee was seen acting as a firewall for the veteran leader as she was kept repeating, "No one will ask bitter questions. It is his decision to join us. No questions would be entertained on his decisions."

Trinamool has a soft corner for their veteran leader

Whatever might be the case but political observers are of the opinion that Roy's equation with BJP is fast becoming strained allowing him to get closer to his earlier party and that was evident from several incidents in the last few days.

That Trinamool Congress' attitude towards Roy has changed and it was evident when Mamata Banerjee in her election campaign termed Roy as 'Bhalo Chele' (Good Boy) and it was followed by Abhishek Banerjee's visit to the hospital to see Roy's wife.

Though Roy was not present during his visit, Abhishek met his son Subhrangshu Roy and both of them had a discussion of more than half an hour. Subhrangshu was all praise for Abhishek after the meeting.

What fuelled the speculation for 'Ghar-wapsi' of stalwart leader

Just after Abhishek's visit, the state BJP President rushed to the hospital to see Roy's wife and the next day Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Roy to enquire about his wife's health. Though Roy ignored the speculation and announced that he was a BJP worker and will continue to work for the party but his skipping of several BJP meetings, including the first state legislative committee meeting and the BJP state committee meeting only supported the speculation.

With inputs from agencies