Tapas Roy, Former TMC Leader, Joins BJP Amidst Speculation
Tapas Roy, a prominent figure in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a former minister, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday evening. His decision comes shortly after resigning from the West Bengal legislative assembly on Monday. There is widespread speculation that Roy might be fielded from the Kolkata North Lok Sabha seat against the incumbent Sudip Bandopadhyay.
Expressing his allegiance to the BJP, Roy stated, “Today I become a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s family. I will serve the BJP in whatever capacity it deems fit. Together we will end the rule of the corrupt and restore peace in Bengal.” Roy was warmly welcomed into the BJP fold by the party’s state president Sukanta Majumdar and other senior leaders.
In response to Roy’s defection, TMC spokesperson Santanu Sen labeled him a traitor, accusing him of betraying the party that had entrusted him with important roles, including that of the deputy chief whip in the current assembly.
However, the acceptance of Roy’s resignation by Biman Banerjee, the speaker of the assembly, has been put on hold due to a technical error in his resignation letter. Banerjee has requested Roy to submit a fresh letter on Thursday to rectify the issue.
Tapas Roy, who has never been implicated in any corruption scandal, has been a three-time winner from North 24 Parganas district’s Baranagar constituency. This area falls under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat, which has been held by TMC’s Saugata Roy since 2009.
Interestingly, both Tapas Roy and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee shared roots in the Congress party before joining the TMC. They were active members of the Congress’s youth wing, with Roy serving as a Congress MLA for the first time in Kolkata in 1996 before winning his second assembly seat for the TMC in 2001.
Roy’s decision to switch sides to the BJP aligns with a trend observed in West Bengal politics, with notable figures from various spheres, including former judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, announcing their affiliations with the BJP. Gangopadhyay’s resignation from the judiciary and subsequent announcement of joining the BJP further underscores the growing influence of the party in the state.
At a press conference held in the Calcutta high court premises on Tuesday, Abhijit Gangopadhyay emphasized his admiration for Prime Minister Modi, lauding his efforts for the nation and citing the BJP as the only national party worth aligning with.
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