: If one goes by what a politician says, then perhaps it is a matter of time before Lok Sabha MP Dinesh Trivedi leaves the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to take up “a role to serve the country” assigned by the Prime Minister.
“Why me, I think every one should serve the country… it is not opportunism, but one should not lose the opportunity to serve one’s country,” Mr Trivedi said and added that the TMC is “creating roadblocks” for the developmental programmes of the BJP-led government. He also admitted that he is “in touch” with the BJP, which is now the main rival of the TMC in West Bengal.
On being asked whether he would leave the TMC to join the BJP, Mr Trivedi said that he had “not decided” yet.
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“Whatever I do, (I) will do with dignity,” said the TMC MP. However, he also described the usual speculation of media as “myopic”.
“Let us not be myopic...nothing may happen. I only say that the time has come to unleash the potential of the country under Mr Modi,” said the key founding member of the TMC.
Speculation is escalating in Bengal’s media since Mr Trivedi’s comment in north-western Gujarat’s Kutch district, while sharing the stage with Prime Minister’s older brother, Somabhai Modi. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “good work”, Mr Trivedi said that TMC is “unnecessarily engaging” itself in confrontation with the BJP as Bengal is losing opportunities to grow.
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Reportedly, the rift between Mr Trivedi and TMC’s top management is increasing by the day and the former Railway Minister pulled no punches in criticising “the negative politics” of the TMC in West Bengal. On Tuesday, he went further. “It is time for mature politics in Bengal. But what are we doing (in Bengal),” he asked and added, “We are engaged in politics of violence and even in colleges, bombs are hurled during elections.”
“The State is creating roadblocks to all developmental activities. Narendra Modi is doing very good work and tremendous positive energy has been generated. It is time to engage (with the Prime Minister) and grow together through some mature politics, but we are missing the opportunity,” the TMC M.P. from Barrackpore constituency in North 24 Paragans District told The Hindu on Tuesday.
While refusing to answer whether he considers the Chief Minister of Bengal “an immature politician,” Mr Trivedi, a Gujarati by birth who grew up in Kolkata, chose to call Mr Modi as “a personal friend.”
“I know him for a long time even before he was the Prime Minister and I am in touch (with the BJP)… but I am in touch with all, including Biman Basu (the Politbureau member of the CPI-M).”
Commenting on the reports regarding his inordinate praise of the Prime Minister, who is the key rival of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, Mr Trivedi said that the political culture to deride leaders outside one’s own party is not acceptable any more.
“What is the harm in praising the Prime Minister who is doing good work… the culture of not accepting good work by others should stop.” In the Gujarat programme, Mr Trivedi described Mr Modi as a leader with great vision.
Describes Narendra Modi as a leader with great vision