Mukul Roy likely to join BJP in November

Kolkata, Oct. 22: The BJP is likely to induct former Trinamul Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Roy into the party by the first week of November, a senior BJP leader has said.

The announcement of his joining the party is expected to be made after BJP general secretary and West Bengal incharge Kailash Vijayvargiya meets party president Amit Shah this week, BJP party sources said.

“If everything goes well, Mukul Roy will join our party within the first week of November. His joining can take place either in Kolkata or in New Delhi,” a senior BJP leader, who is privy to the developments, told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Mr Roy, however, could not be reached for a reaction.

The state BJP unit, which was divided till last week on the question of inducting Roy into the party, has given up its reservations due to the keenness of the leadership, the sources said.

Mr Vijayvargiya has played a key role in convincing the BJP leadership about the positive impact of inducting Roy, who is known for his organisational acumen, into the party, they said.

“Given the lack of good organisers in the state BJP unit, Kailashji was positive about Mr Roy from the very beginning. He felt that inducting Mr Roy would help the party in the rural polls in 2018 and Lok Sabha polls in 2019,” another BJP leader said.

“Mr Roy’s organisational acumen and ability to conduct polls has earned praise from everybody,” the leader said.