Soon after a cryptic message on Trinamool Congress MP and former actor Satabdi Roy's unofficial fan page triggered speculation of her defecting, she clarified on Friday, 15 January, that she will be staying with the party.
According to reports, Roy met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee on Friday. "I had expressed my problems and our party leader Abhishek Banerjee has assured me that my grievances will be addressed and they’ll work on finding a solution. So, I’m staying with the Trinamool Congress,” she said, while speaking to reporters.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the Birbhum MP also said that she would not be going to Delhi on Saturday. "All those in the party who have problems should raise them. If 10 people in the party raise a problem, then the party should solve it," she was further quoted as saying.
What Did the Post Say?
Earlier, a post in vernacular on a page called ‘Satabdi Roy Fans' Club’ had left political circles asking if Roy was the next, in a long exodus of TMC leaders to the BJP in recent times.
"I always maintain regular communication with my area but nowadays people are asking me why I'm not seen in party programmes. I want to tell them that I want to be present. I want to be with you all. But, it seems like some people don't want me to be with you. I'm not informed of many party programmes. How will I go if I'm not informed? This creates mental anguish for me as well," the post had read.
"In the past 10 years, I have spent more time being your representative than I have at home. I have given my work, my all. Even my enemies would agree to that. That's why, in this new year, I'm trying to make decisions that will enable me to stay with you all the time," it further said.
It had also said that the actor will let the world "know of her decision" at 2 pm on Saturday, 16 January. Speaking to Bengali news channel, ABP Anondo, Roy had said that she was behind the post and that she would be going to Delhi on 15 January.
Politics of Defections a Talking Point Before Polls
The Trinamool Congress has seen a string of leaders, across levels, joining the BJP in the recent past. The most high-profile of this was that of former state transport minister and party honcho, Suvendu Adhikari, defecting to the BJP, at an Amit Shah rally in Bengal last month.
The politics of defections has become a talking point in the state ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in April-May 2021.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)