Trinamool suspends Mukul Roy for 6 years

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Monday suspended one of its founding members Mukul Roy for six years for "anti-party activities", hours after the former Union Railway minister announced that he would quit the party after the Durga Puja.

Earlier, in the day, Roy, in a press conference, announced his resignation from the working committee of the Trinamool Congress. He said: "I have mailed it to Trinamool Congress secretary general (Partha Chatterjee) today (Monday). I will resign from the Rajya Sabha MP's post and the primary membership of the party after the Pujas." Asked why he had taken such a decision, Roy said: "On the day of my resignation from Rajya Sabha I will tell the press why I have left the Trinamool Congress. I have been associated with the party from its birth since December 17, 1997. With a heavy heart, I have had to take the decision," he maintained.

Partha Chatterjee said for the past one-and-a-half years, Roy has been keeping in touch with BJP leaders and other political parties. "He has surrendered to the Central agencies and was trying to weaken the party by remaining in it. We are not going to tolerate any anti-party activity," he said.

It may be mentioned that in the recently held core committee of the party without naming him, party chief Mamata Banerjee had said that those who were having a bonhomie with the BJP are free to leave the TMC.

Chatterjee maintained that when the party had decided to bring him back, Subrata Bakshi had asked him to see Roy. "I personally met him and brought him back to the party." He said despite his defeat in the Jagatdal Assembly seat, Mamata Banerjee had made him the party's general secretary and later Rajya Sabha MP and eventually the Union Railway minister. "What more can the party do for him", he wondered, adding: "Little kids are very happy with small things but I really do not know what the kings need for their satisfaction."

Chatterjee further alleged that for quite some time Roy had criticised party leaders in different platforms. "If he has to resign from Rajya Sabha MP's post why should he wait for the Pujas? He should take the decision immediately. Hope he will let us know about his final decision after my press conference," Chatterjee remarked.

For quite some time Roy was found criticising the Trinamool leadership. The matter came to light while inaugurating a Durga Puja pandal at Garpar off Manicktala on Sunday evening where Roy criticised the Chief Minister. Without naming her, he said: "Maintaining communal harmony in Bengal is our tradition and for this no one should take any credit." He also said that inaugurating Durga Pujas even before the Mahalaya was uncalled for.

When asked about his father's decision, Trinamool Congress MLA and Roy's son Subhrangshu, said: "I am an active worker of the Trinamool Congress and will continue to serve the party."

Meanwhile, Siddharth Nath Singh, Health minister, Uttar Pradesh, who used to look after Bengal on behalf of the BJP's central leadership said: "Many more leaders will quit Trinamool Congress because of the party's internal squabble." He added: "Mukul Roy has not approached the BJP for his induction and the party has not taken any decision in the matter."

Kolkata: At a time when the TMC leadership has suspended Mukul Roy for his interactions with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh has admitted that the sidelined TMC leader is in touch with the central leaders of the party. Ghosh also did not rule out the possibility of Roy joining the BJP. "I came to know that Roy is in touch with our central leaders. We will consider it if he wishes to join BJP," said Ghosh.