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Mamata’s key aide Mukul Roy says he’s quitting TMC; party suspends him for 6 years

Published

8 years ago

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Mukul and Mamata Banerjee

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Amid rumours that the former Union railway minister may be joining the BJP, Mamata’s main concern would be the information Roy may carry to the rival camp

~By Sujit Bhar

As expected, Mamata Banerjee’s long-time aide and confidante Mukul Roy has decided to quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He will be putting in his papers after Dussehra, he said on Monday morning. Hours later, Banerjee’s party announced that it was suspending Roy from membership of the Trinamool for a period of six years.

Though Roy, who was elevated to be the Union railway minister during the UPA-II regime when Mamata Banerjee decided to move to West Bengal as chief minister after her party’s Assembly election victory , has not said where his next destination would be, but rumours are that he’s BJP-bound.

India Legal, the sister concern of APN, had clearly signalled the departure of Roy earlier, and this certainly is not the end of desertions from the Mamata camp.

Shortly after Roy’s announcement of his decision to quit the party and from his membership of the Rajya Sabha, Bengal’s education minister and another Mamata aide, Partha Chatterjee, declared that Roy was being suspended from the party for six years with immediate effect.

The Trinamool’s decision, however, makes little difference since Roy had anyway decided to totally quit the party.

Roy’s son Subhrangshu Roy, also a legislator, however, has decided to remain with the TMC.

Whatever the TMC reaction to this news – it was entirely expected and Mamata had made sure that Roy held no post of any importance – Roy’s resignation in itself is of little importance politically. His support base was eroding fast, and other leaders in TMC, especially Mamata’s nephew Abhisek Banerjee (the de facto No. 2 in the party today), made sure that no new shoots grew from Roy’s early importance as a grassroots leader.

Of critical importance, however, will be the loads of inside information that Roy will be carrying over to the next camp. He has been the main wheeler-dealer of the party for a long time, and there was a time when Mamata used to depend completely on the manipulative abilities of Roy.

Even during the Narada sting in 2011, Roy had enough importance within the party to be able to retrieve whatever information regarding legal and financial details of the party that he wished to review. Party funding during elections, huge amounts going into shady hands in the hills and the basic earnings from the many promoter “syndicates” that the party spawned were tied to strings that Roy controlled. Those strings are now in the hands of Abhisek, but enough footprints are available, still, to corner the TMC with several CBI and ED raids. That would certainly be the BJP initiative.

The parleys that Roy had been having in Delhi – with a section of BJP leaders including the party’s national president Amit Shah – weren’t too fruitful initially. Mamata realised his efforts and brought Roy back to Kolkata. But by then it was late. The rabble-rouser BJP president Dilip Ghosh had been tapping all available TMC leads and Roy was the weakest link of all.

What is the gain for Roy? While the probe into the Narada scam cannot really tie Roy down (he did not really handle the money), there have been several instances of his not-too-fair dealings as minister (especially as Railways minster) that could have landed him in serious trouble.

Roy has probably struck a deal with the BJP regarding his own safety. It may be recalled that his son has sought the refuge of TMC, possibly simply because he was not in demand within the BJP. He would surely be treated with suspicion within the TMC now, especially since he carries with him allegations of a huge number of suspicious dealings while his father was the railway minister.

When asked at the press conference why he was resigning, Roy said he was “forced” to, and that he was leaving with a “heavy heart and pain.” Regarding his intentions regarding the BJP, Roy just said: “After five days I will explain everything.  Today, I will not say a word, I will explain after puja.”

Roy had been removed from almost all party posts including the vice-president’s post. His Delhi tours were the source of serious discussions within the TMC, with Partha Chatterjee having thundered: “On what right is he talking to BJP leaders? Maybe on a personal level, but we are keeping a close watch.  We will take action if he exceeds his limit. He cannot be friendly with us if he is also friendly with the BJP. He has to remember that the party’s needs are bigger than personal needs.”

Not that Roy had not sent out clear signals earlier. Recently, he had given up the entire security detail (except for one bodyguard) that the state had provided for him. When asked why, he had explained that since he was not within the main party dealings anymore, there was no need for such security.

When the TMC did take strict action – like suspending him – it turned out to be too little too late.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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BJP and Shiv Sena reach broad seat-sharing deal ahead of BMC elections

BJP and Shiv Sena are close to finalising seat-sharing for 200 wards ahead of the BMC elections, while opposition parties intensify alliance talks across Maharashtra.

Published

9 hours ago

on

December 27, 2025

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BJP Shivsena

The BJP and Shiv Sena have almost sealed their seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with an understanding reached on 200 of the total 227 wards in Mumbai, according to sources. The civic body polls are scheduled to be held on January 15.

The agreement was discussed during a late-night meeting of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The meeting took place at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s residence in Thane and focused on strategy for several key municipal corporations, including Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Navi Mumbai.

Sources said similar meetings are lined up for Mumbai and other civic bodies such as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Panvel and Mira-Bhayandar, as alliance partners work to finalise ward-level arrangements and campaign planning.

Congress explores new alliances in Mumbai

In Mumbai, Congress leaders are scheduled to meet Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi as the party looks to rebuild its alliance structure after parting ways with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). The distancing followed Sena (UBT)’s decision to join hands with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by Raj Thackeray.

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has confirmed that the party will contest the BMC elections in alliance with the MNS and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. The inclusion of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) comes after Sharad Pawar rejected a proposal from the Ajit Pawar-led faction that offered limited seat allocation.

Despite the split, sources indicated that discussions may continue, with meetings expected between Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule and her cousin Ajit Pawar to determine future political moves.

Local body strategies take shape across Maharashtra

Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray is set to hold a meeting with party leaders at his Shivtirth residence to finalise the party’s election strategy, including campaign issues and candidate selection.

In Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Shiv Sena MLA and minister Sanjay Shirsat will meet BJP leaders, including state ministers Chandrakant Bawankule and Atul Save, to discuss preparations for the civic polls.

Seat-sharing talks are also underway in Mira-Bhayandar, where Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik and BJP MLA Narendra Mehta are expected to hold discussions. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP, however, is planning to contest the elections independently in the region.

Panvel is set to witness a major opposition meeting involving Sena (UBT), Congress, MNS, NCP (SP), Samajwadi Party and the VBA. The gathering, led by the Peasants and Workers Party, will focus on finalising seat-sharing arrangements and joint election strategies.

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Op Aaghat 3.0: Delhi police arrest over 280 accused ahead of New Year celebrations

Delhi police arrested over 280 accused and detained more than 1,300 individuals under Operation Aaghat 3.0 ahead of New Year, seizing weapons, drugs, liquor and stolen items.

Published

11 hours ago

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December 27, 2025

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Op Aaghat 3.0: Delhi police arrest over 280 accused ahead of New Year celebrations

Delhi police carried out a large-scale preventive crackdown across sensitive pockets of the national capital ahead of New Year, arresting hundreds of accused and detaining over a thousand individuals to ensure peaceful celebrations.

The overnight operation, conducted under Operation Aaghat 3.0, focused on crime-prone areas and resulted in major seizures, including illegal weapons, narcotics, illicit liquor, cash and stolen property, according to police officials.

Major arrests and seizures during the drive

As part of the intensified security drive, at least 285 accused were arrested under various legal provisions, including the Arms Act, Excise Act, NDPS Act and Gambling Act. In addition, 504 people were detained as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidents during the festive period.

Police officials said the operation led to the recovery of 21 illegal weapons, including country-made pistols, along with 20 live cartridges and 27 knives. Authorities also seized over 12,000 quarters of illicit liquor, around Rs 2.5 lakh in cash, and nearly 7 kg of cannabis from different locations.

Focus on habitual offenders and vehicle theft

The crackdown also targeted repeat offenders. Under the operation, 116 habitual offenders, referred to by police as “bad characters,” were taken into custody, while 10 property offenders were arrested.

To curb vehicle-related crimes during New Year celebrations, police dismantled auto-lifting networks and arrested five auto-lifters. During the raids, 231 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler were seized.

Action against gambling and stolen goods

In a parallel action against gambling activities, police recovered Rs 2.3 lakh in cash. The operation also led to the recovery of about 210 stolen or lost mobile phones, offering relief to several complainants.

Apart from arrests and detentions, a total of 1,306 individuals were rounded up under preventive measures, officials added, stating that the coordinated effort was aimed at maintaining law and order and ensuring a crime-free New Year in the capital.

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Over 2,000 Maoists surrender under Chhattisgarh rehabilitation policy, says CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said more than 2,000 Maoists have surrendered under the state’s rehabilitation policy, which offers skill training, financial assistance and land support.

Published

11 hours ago

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December 27, 2025

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CM surrender Maoist

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday said that more than 2,000 Maoists have surrendered so far under the state’s rehabilitation policy, asserting that the government is committed to treating surrendered cadres fairly and supporting their reintegration into society.

Addressing the issue, the Chief Minister said the state government has repeatedly appealed to Maoists to abandon violence and gunfire and return to the mainstream of development. He said the impact of these efforts is now visible, with a large number of cadres laying down arms.

According to Vishnu Deo Sai, the rehabilitation framework focuses on long-term welfare. Surrendered Maoists are being provided skill training along with monthly financial assistance of Rs 10,000. He added that the new policy also includes provisions for allotment of land for farming and land to build houses in urban areas, aimed at securing their future and livelihood.

Fresh surrenders reported from Bijapur

Earlier, 34 Naxals surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district under the state government’s rehabilitation initiative titled Poona Margham: Punarvas Se Punarjeevan (Return to the Mainstream: Social Reintegration through Rehabilitation). Police officials said the surrendered cadres were carrying a cumulative reward of Rs 84 lakh.

Officials noted that the latest surrenders reflect the growing impact of sustained anti-Naxal measures combined with confidence-building initiatives focused on welfare and reintegration.

Centre’s target to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid the Central Government’s stated goal to eradicate Naxalism from the country by March 2026 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Authorities believe that rehabilitation-driven policies, along with security operations, are playing a key role in weakening the influence of Left-wing extremism in affected regions.

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