TMC leaders snub Mukul, hail Mamata as driving force

As deposed Trinamool Congress General Secretary Mukul Roy’s future course of action is the subject of animated discussion in political circles here, several TMC leaders have reposed their faith in party supremo Mamata Banerjee, saying she is the driving force.

“Mamata Banerjee’s popularity is soaring even after three and a half years at the helm, but the BJP is losing ground within a few months,” TMC Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy said at a function here.

Referring to the saffron party’s debacle in the Delhi Assembly election, months after its spectacular success in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Roy said, “The Bongaon (Lok Sabha seat) by-election has gone on to show that even after three and a half years, our party supremo’s popularity is soaring because of her work for the people.” 

“Mamata Banerjee is the driving force of the party,” Roy said. Referring to Mukul Roy’s claim that it was he who had applied to form the party and that Banerjee joined later, TMC Mayor-in-Council (health) in Kolkata Municipal Corporation Atin Ghosh said, “Mukul Roy played the role of a clerk.” 

Roy had on Saturday said that “Let me tell you that on December 17, 1997 when I had first applied to form the party under the People’s Representation Act, present chairperson (Mamata Banerjee) was not a member of it. But now she is the chairperson of the party. When I had worked as the only general secretary, the party was simply zero.” 

Sadhan Pande, a minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, said, “If somebody goes against the party line, then he should first resign.” 

“It is Mamata Banerjee’s good work for the state’s development and her huge popularity that has led to the party’s emergence as a strong force,” Pande said.