TMC MP Saugata Roy Claims BJP Offered Him Entry

• Saugata Roy claims BJP approached him with an offer to switch sides
• TMC MP says he rejected the proposal and will remain loyal to Mamata Banerjee
• Remarks come amid defections and rebellion within the Trinamool Congress
• Roy dismisses concerns over party symbol and rebel faction’s strength

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 8th June: Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy has claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached him with an offer to join the party, but he turned it down, asserting that he would remain with Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.

Speaking to ANI, Roy said he had no intention of leaving the party on whose symbol he was elected.

“Yes, I got an offer to join the BJP. But I rejected it. I will stay in the party on whose symbol I won the election,” the veteran MP said.

Roy’s remarks come at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing one of its biggest internal crises, with several leaders expressing dissatisfaction and a rebel faction gaining support among party legislators.

The development follows the resignation of senior Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, who quit both the party and Parliament after making serious allegations of corruption. His subsequent visit to the residence of a BJP leader fuelled speculation about a possible switch to the saffron party.

However, Roy downplayed the significance of Ray’s departure.

“This is not important. The MP of Rajya Sabha who has never won an election… what is the value of his opinion?” he remarked.

Commenting on the broader unrest within the party, Roy said some leaders were unable to cope with political setbacks following the Trinamool’s loss of power.

“Not everyone in politics has the strength to accept defeat. Such people change position when the situation turns bad,” he said.

The Trinamool is currently grappling with a rebellion led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, with reports suggesting that around 60 legislators have backed the dissident camp.

Addressing concerns that the rebel group could seek control of the party’s election symbol, Roy rejected the possibility.

“The symbol is given by the Election Commission. They don’t change the symbol according to the MLA. That situation has not come yet,” he said.

Roy further alleged that the BJP had lured rebel leaders with promises and inducements, adding that many of them lacked the ability to win elections independently.

Despite the ongoing turmoil, the veteran TMC leader expressed confidence that the party would recover under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.

“If Mamata Banerjee gets down on the road, it will happen,” he said, referring to the party’s prospects of a political comeback.

Roy also welcomed efforts to strengthen opposition unity, saying the Trinamool would benefit if more anti-BJP parties came together.

“If more anti-BJP parties come together, the opposition will be more powerful and there will be more pressure on BJP. The Trinamool is being targeted and attacked a lot. If other parties support us, it will give us power,” he added.

His comments came ahead of an opposition meeting in New Delhi, where senior Trinamool leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, are expected to participate.