20th April 2023, Mumbai: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a statement on Thursday, saying that it was Mukul Roy’s choice if he wanted to go to Delhi as a BJP MLA. This statement comes after reports emerged suggesting that Roy was in talks with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders about returning to the party.
Mukul Roy, who was once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, had left the TMC in 2017 and joined the BJP. He was considered a key strategist for the BJP in the state and played a crucial role in the party’s success in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, his relationship with the BJP has been strained in recent months.
Reports suggest that Roy is unhappy with the BJP leadership and is considering returning to the TMC. Some reports also suggest that he has already held talks with senior TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, who is Mamata Banerjee’s nephew.
When asked about Roy’s potential return to the TMC, Mamata Banerjee said, “Mukul Roy is a BJP MLA. If he wants to come to Delhi, that’s up to him. It’s his choice.”
The Chief Minister’s statement is being seen as a signal to Mukul Roy that the TMC is open to his return, but it is ultimately his decision. Many political analysts believe that Roy’s return to the TMC would be a significant boost for the party, especially ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, Mukul Roy has denied the reports about his potential return to the TMC. He stated that he had no plans to leave the BJP and was fully committed to the party.
The BJP has also dismissed the reports, with party spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya stating, “Mukul Roy is a very senior leader of the BJP. There is no question of him leaving the party.”
The political landscape in West Bengal has been in flux since the TMC’s victory in the 2021 assembly elections. The BJP had made significant gains in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and was hoping to win the assembly elections as well. However, the TMC’s resounding victory has put the BJP on the backfoot, and the party is now looking to regroup and strategize for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In conclusion, Mukul Roy’s potential return to the TMC has caused a stir in West Bengal politics. Mamata Banerjee’s statement that it is up to him if he wants to go to Delhi as a BJP MLA has been seen as a signal to Roy that the TMC is open to his return, but it is ultimately his decision. However, Roy has denied the reports about his potential return, and the BJP has dismissed them as well. The political landscape in West Bengal is in flux, and the coming months will be crucial for both the TMC and the BJP as they strategize for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.