TMC suspends 2 MLAs close to Mukul Roy

In the midst of the on-going rift between the Trinamool Congress and its former general secretary Mukul Roy, two more Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were suspended by the party after they were allegedly found indulging in anti-party activities.

MLAs Shilbhadra Datta and Shiuli Saha, who are considered to be close aides of Mukul Roy, earned the wrath of the ruling party in the state after they were found to have attended Member of Parliament Mukul Roy's iftar party at Nizam palace. Party general secretary Partha Chatterjee announced their suspension pending inquiry on Monday.

"The two of us learnt about our suspension through the media. The party or the leadership did not communicate anything to us. A lot of people from the state are asking us why did this happen? Since we learnt of our suspension through the print media, we shall respond through the same medium," says Shiuli Saha, MLA from the Haldia constituency.

"I would like to inform the party that I never indulged in any anti-party activities. I am ready to accept any form of punishment if the charges against me are proven. As a representative of the backward class, I attended an event meant for the minority community. I want to know where we have broken rules here," Shiuli adds.

Senior leader Silabhadra Dutta sounded more serious. "We have been suspended without any press release or conference. Such a thing has happened for the first time. We are very shocked. We are dependent on what you say. We are clueless otherwise about what the leaders have to say," he told the media.

Mukul Roy's wings had been clipped earlier this year when his name cropped up in the multi-crore Saradha scam. Since then his relations with party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee deteriorated. Mamata's most trusted aide had fallen out of favour after Roy came under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation, following which the party distanced itself from Roy. Interestingly, Mukul Roy's security cordon, which he enjoyed till now, has been downscaled, making the rift between the two even more obvious.

By suspending the two MLAs, the party has sent a clear message to those members who were warming up with Mukul Roy that there is no space for Didi's detractors.

Moreover, the harsh move by the party has also fueled speculations that all is not well in the party.

"People saw that I had gone to Nandigram. If I am being punished for going to Nandigram with Mukul da, then why was I not suspended then itself? I had attended the Assembly after that," says Shiuli.

Ahead of the upcoming 2016 Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress wants to send a strong message that there is no tolerance for opposition in the party. Anyone who tries to cross the line of party chief Mamata Banerjee will have to face suspension of expulsion.

The rift between the party and Mukul Roy is growing with each passing day. Mamata Banerjee and her party needs to take each step with extra caution for the opposition may make the most out of the on-going tussle.