Mukul Roy on Friday rejoined Trinamool Congress in a massive jolt to the BJP. Roy was with the saffron party for more than three years.
The move comes after BJP's defeat in the recently-concluded state Assembly elections.
After joining TMC, Roy said, "With the current situation in Bengal, nobody will want to remain with the BJP."
He also said, "I feel like no time has passed (after he left the TMC in 2017). After coming to TMC Bhavan today, I have met all the old faces, the old guard. I feel very happy about this."
Speaking to reporters at the TMC headquarters in Kolkata, Roy said that he was unable to remain in the BJP and will not go there again.
“I will tell you in detail why I returned home today. I will give a detailed reply in writing and share it with you (media). I was unable to remain in the BJP and will not go there again. This is the reason why I returned,” said Roy.
On being asked whether Roy’s return will strengthen the TMC, Mamata said that the TMC was “already powerful”. Describing Roy as “a part of the family,” she said that Roy was “threatened with agencies.”
The Chief Minister also said that it was “impossible” for anyone to remain in the BJP as the party is “so merciless” that they don’t allow anyone to live with his or her humanity.
Even as she indicated that those who left the TMC to join the BJP with Roy, will be taken back into her party, Mamata said that the “hardliners” among the defectors who bitterly attacked and betrayed her party during the Assembly elections will not be inducted into the TMC.
“Mukul did not say a word against the party during elections. Those who tried to strengthen the BJP’s hands by betraying our party during the elections, we will not take them back. This has been decided by our party,” said Mamata.