Asansol MP and former union minister Babul Supriyo formally joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the presence of party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien on Saturday.
Following his induction into the party, Babul Supriyo held a press conference where he clarified that his decision to join TMC is not a “politics of revenge”, but a “politics of opportunity.”
This comes months after Babul Supriyo announced his decision to quit politics via a Facebook post, claiming that he would not join any other political party and will continue to be a “team player”.
On Saturday, Supriyo talked about his earlier decision to quit and said that he had become “disillusioned with politics” and wanted to leave it behind. However, Babul Supriyo said that his family and friends did not agree with his decision to leave politics, and the former union minister claimed he was proud to change his decision.
“I meant it from my heart when I said I’ll leave politics. However, I felt there was a huge opportunity that was entrusted upon me (on joining TMC). All my friends said my decision to leave politics was wrong and emotional,” Babul Supriyo said.
On his decision to join the TMC, Babul Supriyo said that this was a “great opportunity to serve Bengal”, adding that there was “trust and faith from Didi [Mamata Banerjee] and Abhishek [Banerjee].”
“I’m 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 (CM Mamata Banerjee) on Monday. I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome,” the former BJP leader said.
Furthermore, Babul Supriyo clarified that the development leading to his decision to join the Trinamool Congress party took place in the past four days.
Meanwhile, following his decision to join TMC, Babul Supriyo is set to quit his Lok Sabha seat and will resign as BJP MP from Asansol.
“Didi and Abhishek have given me a great opportunity. As I have joined TMC, there is no point in holding on to my seat in Asansol. I’ve come into politics because of Asansol. I will do for that constituency as much as possible,” Babul Supriyo said.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra tweeted, “Congratulations and a very warm welcome to my LS colleague @SuPriyoBabul ! Looking forward to batting together with the same fervour as we did in separate teams :-)”
Congratulations and a very warm welcome to my LS colleague @SuPriyoBabul !
Looking forward to batting together with the same fervour as we did in separate teams 🙂
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 18, 2021
TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy also welcomed Babul Supriyo’s move to join the TMC.
“It’s a welcome move that Babul Supriyo has joined our party. He is a very popular face not only in Bengal, even outside it. More known leaders — maybe sitting &former MPs — will join the party in the coming days. They’re in contact with us,” Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta said he was sad that the singer-turned-politician had left BJP as he was an asset to the party.
Swapan Dasgupta said, “I am sad @SuPriyoBabul has left BJP to ‘re-enter’ politics. I can’t speak about the future, but he was an asset to BJP & I would personally like to thank him for his services. For those of us for whom BJP is a lifelong commitment, the fight goes on—even in adverse circumstances.”
I am sad @SuPriyoBabul has left BJP to ‘re-enter’ politics. I can’t speak about the future, but he was an asset to BJP & I would personally like to thank him for his services. For those of us for whom BJP is a lifelong commitment, the fight goes on—even in adverse circumstances.
— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 18, 2021
Source: India Today
