After resigning as a Member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly (MLA), Trinamool Congress (TMC) veteran Tapas Roy on Monday launched a scathing attack against his party and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Expressing displeasure over the functioning of the party, Tapas Roy said, “I have submitted my resignation as an MLA to the assembly speaker. I am now a free bird.” Roy’s unexpected resignation sparked a political controversy within West Bengal’s political arena.
Roy’s resignation comes amid speculations of him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Who is Tapas Roy?
Tapas Roy is a veteran Trinamool Congress leader. He was first elected as MLA on the Congress ticket in 1996 from the Vidyasagar Assembly constituency. Roy won the 2001 Assembly elections on a TMC ticket from Bara Bazar.
He moved to Baranagar Assembly constituency in North 24 Paraganas district in 2011 and has been a TMC legislator from the seat since then.
Roy is the deputy chief whip of the ruling party in the Assembly and president of the TMC’s Dumdum-Barrackpore organisational district.
Why Did Tapas Roy Quit As Bengal Legislator?
The TMC leader alleged that the West Bengal government failed to address crucial issues like corruption and failed to stand behind their leaders in situations of crisis.
Roy, who is a prominent leader of the TMC, expressed his grievances against the party leadership and its policies. His decision to step down as an MLA has raised questions about the future course of his political career.
In his criticism, Roy highlighted various issues within the TMC and alleged that the party’s leadership, including Mamata Banerjee, had failed to address crucial concerns. He accused the party of deviating from its original principles and stated that he could no longer continue to be associated with it.
The TMC leader also slammed the party leadership for not standing by him when his residence was raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January.
“I am disappointed with the way the party is functioning. I am fed up with so many allegations of corruption levelled against the party and the government. Secondly, I do not support the way the Sandeshkhali issue was handled,” PTI quoted Roy as saying.
“On 12th January, the ED raided my home. Even after 52 days of the raid, my party did not support me even once. Mamata Banerjee did not call me once. I was not called by the party. No one stood with me or my family,” he added.
On the ongoing Sandeshkhali violence issue, the TMC veteran said that the alleged inaction against the accused impacted him and made him realise that Trinamool was not the right team for him.
“Especially the incident of Sandeshkhali moved me a lot I thought this team was not for me,” said Roy.
Roy’s changed tunes against the TMC have fueled speculations about possible realignments in West Bengal’s political landscape.
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