Babul Supriyo joins TMC, says will resign as Asansol MP
POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAID THAT WHILE SUPRIYO’S EXIT MAY NOT HURT BJP ON THE GROUND, IT MIGHT LEAD TO THE PARTY LOSING THE PERCEPTION BATTLE IN STATE
KOLKATA: Former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Babul Supriyo, who was dropped from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s Cabinet in July, joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata on Saturday.
The 50-year-old joined West Bengal’s ruling party in the presence of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and MP Derek O’Brien.
Weeks after he was dropped from the Union cabinet, he said he was quitting politics and will soon resign from the Lok Sabha. However, he went back on his decision after a meeting with BJP president JP Nadda and said he would continue to work as a parliamentarian.
“I meant it from my heart when I said I will leave politics. However, I felt there was a huge opportunity that was entrusted upon me. All my friends said my decision to leave politics was wrong and emotional. I am very proud that I am changing my decision. I am coming back for a great opportunity to serve Bengal. I am very excited. I will meet Didi (chief minister Mamata Banerjee) on Monday. I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome,” he said.
Supriyo said he will resign as the Asansol MP. “Didi and Abhishek have given me a great opportunity. As I have joined the TMC, there is no point in holding on to my seat in Asansol. I have come into politics because of Asansol. I will do for that constituency as much as possible,” he added. The BJP, which had listed Supriyo as one of its star campaigners for the upcoming Bhabanipur bypoll, downplayed his exit. “He joined the BJP with a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections and was given a ministerial berth after winning. Now that his ministerial berth is gone he is joining the TMC despite the fact he had said he is leaving politics and won’t join any party. This could be a blow to his credibility,” said senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha.
Political analysts said that while Supriyo’s exit may not hurt the BJP on the ground, it might lead to the party losing the perception battle in the state.
“I don’t think it would be a big organisational blow to the BJP as Supriyo was not given any key portfolio. But this definitely would be a blow to the party as far as public perception is concerned. With one after another leader quitting, a message is going out that it may not continue to remain as a strong opposition,” said Biswanath Chakraborty, political commentator.