After welcoming BJP national vice-president and former aide Mukul Roy back into the partyfold, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has hinted that more people who deserted the TMC camp ahead of the Assembly elections will make a comeback.
She did not specify any names, but stressed that anyone who had spoken ill of the party during the West Bengal Assembly polls campaigning, will not be taken back.
In a massive jolt to the saffron party in West Bengal, Roy left the BJP after three years and nine months to rejoin the TMC, feeling like "no time has passed".
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.