'Alvida': Babul Supriyo Quits Politics Days After Being Dropped from Cabinet

In a Facebook post, Babul Supriyo said he will be resigning from the post of Member of Parliament, too.

West Bengal BJP MP and Former Union Minister Babul Supriyo Quits Politics, Says Cabinet Reshuffle Behind Move

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Babul Supriyo)

West Bengal MP and former Union minister Babul Supriyo on Saturday, 31 August, announced his decision to quit politics.

"Alvida (Goodbye). I’ve heard everything everyone had to say…Father, (mother), wife, daughter, some close friends… I’m saying this after listening to everything and feeling everything... I’m leaving... Social work can be done without politics as well – let me handle myself a bit and then...," he said in a Facebook post in Bengali.

In the post, Supriyo said he will be resigning from the post of Member of Parliament, too. "Many new ministers are yet to be allotted government houses, which is why I will vacate my house within a week (as soon as possible – maybe before that)."

The 50-year-old has served as the minister of state (MoS) in several ministries since 2014, the last being the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change till July 2021, when the Cabinet reshuffle took place.

The BJP leader also referred to the reshuffle in his post, saying, "... One question I will have to answer because it’s pertinent. The question will arise as to why I decided to quit politics? Does it have anything to do with me losing ministership? Yes there is – to some extent, for sure."

'Hope They'll Not Misunderstand Me'

"Over the last few days, I've repeatedly visited respected (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah and (BJP President) Nadda ji with my proposal of quitting politics. Every time, they've tried to inspire in some way. I will never forget this love, which is why I cannot muster the courage to go back to them with the same proposal. Especially because I've decided what 'I, me, myself' wants to do. That's why if I repeat the same things again, then they might feel like I'm bargaining for some specific post. And since that is not true at all, I don't want any doubts in their mind – even if for a single moment. I hope they will not misunderstand me and will forgive me."

Babul Supriyo's Facebook post

Supriyo, in his Facebook post, also drew attention to the "differences of opinion" within the state leadership before the Assembly elections, which he said caused "harm to the party".