BJP in touch with Mukul Roy

Senior Trinamool leader’s possible entry evokes mixed emotions in Bengal BJP

Rebel Trinamul Congress leader Mukul Roy. File

Former Railway Minister Mukul Roy’s exit from the Trinamool Congress has set off speculation that his next port of call may be the BJP. The party, eager to expand its base in West Bengal has been in touch with Mr. Roy, but say that there is a division of opinion in the State unit on just how to accommodate the Trinamool leader.

“First of all, our talks with Mukul Roy haven’t progressed to the point that any intake is imminent. However, the State unit is thinking about the issue and a large number of leaders feel that Mr. Roy would be a great addition to the ranks; a much smaller bunch has reservations about the baggage of Narada-Sharada scam that may come with him,” said a senior party office-bearer.

Grassroots knowledge

The BJP is eyeing Mr. Roy’s knowledge of the Trinamool electoral machinery. “You name the booth and Mukul Roy will name the workers on that booth — such is his hold on the minutest aspects of the electoral set up, much in the manner that Himanta Biswa Sarma knew the Congress machinery in Assam and northeast,” said a senior Bengal BJP leader.

The induction of outsiders is however, always been tricky within the BJP. Mr. Sarma’s induction saw the exit of long-time BJP man Pradyut Bora in Assam, and there is uneasiness in the Maharashtra unit at the possible induction of former CM Narayan Rane, who has recently exited the Congress.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, however, gave a more sanguine response on this uneasiness. “

Ganga main sab pavitra ho jaatey hain (everyone is purified after entering the Ganges),” he said.

More plainly, an assessment of whether these leaders will electorally aid the party will guide their entry into the BJP.