The statement from the Birbhum MP came after an hour-long meeting with Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee this evening.
The TMC-BJP war in Bengal has now reached a fever pitch ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Many top echelon TMC party workers are now switching over to BJP.
This time TMC saved themselves from another embarrassment amid speculations that actor-turned-politician Satabdi Roy was going going to join BJP. However, the rumours have been put to rest after Roy released a statement categorically stating that she was still with Trinamool.
The statement from the Birbhum MP came after an hour-long meeting with Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee this evening.
"I am with the Trinamool. My problems with the party have been addressed by Abhishek Banerjee. All my abhimaan (pride) has been placated. I came to politics for Mamata Banerjee. I am with her." she said.
1. Who is Satabdi Roy?
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Satabdi was a prominent actress in Bengali cinema. Roy's debut film was Atanka in 1986, opposite another famous Bengali actor Prosenjit Chaterjee. As an actor she won many accolades, winning the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards two times.
She shot to fame after being paired with another celebrated Bengali actor Tapas Pal in various films such as Guru Dakshina, Antaranga and many more.
In 2009, she became the Member of Parliament, having won in the Lok Sabha election on a Trinamool Congress ticket from the Birbhum constituency of West Bengal. In 2014 and 2019 she secured the same seat on a TMC ticket.
2. Rumours about Satabdi Roy leaving TMC
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In a Facebook post uploaded by Satabdi Roy Fans’ Club, the Birbhum alleged that certain people were stopping her from reaching out to his constituents. She was also unhappy for not being invited to important party events.
3. What was Satabdi's plans?
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Satabdi was supposed to fly to Delhi tomorrow at 7 am amid rumours that she was likely to meet Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah.
4. TMC 'placates' Birbhum MP
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According to NDTV, Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh who had escorted Ms Roy to Mr Banerjee's office at Camac Street at 7 pm after a meeting with her earlier in the day, said, "if party workers have any problems with the party they should speak up and get them resolved."
After the social media post, Trinamool MP Saugata Roy tried to speak to her but could not get in touch with her. as she was incommunicado all of last evening.
Further, senior Trinamool leaders like Derek O'Brien and Sougata Roy tried to call her today.
Moreover, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh reached her residence to convince her to not leave the party.
5. Many TMC leaders have switched sides to BJP
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It is to be noted that TMC heavyweight leader Suvendu Adhikari, along with several MLAs and MPs, joined the BJP during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally at Midnapore College Ground in December last year. TMC MP from Purba Bardhaman, Sunil Kumar Mondal, and former MP Dasarath Tirkey switched over to BJP during Shah's tour.
At least 10 MLAs from different parties -- Tapasi Mondal, Ashoke Dinda, Sudip Mukherjee, Saikat Panja, Shilbhadra Dutta, Dipali Biswas, Sukra Munda, Shyamapda Mukherjee, Biswajit Kundu, and Banasri Maity also joined the BJP.
In total, one MP and 7 MLAs have quit the Trinamool and joined the BJP.
