‘Important to work with Congress’: Team Mamata’s Saugata Roy open to both merger and alliance with grand old party

Amid the buzz over Trinamool Congress’ merger with the Congress, party MP Saugata Roy on Thursday stressed the importance of working with the grand old party to take on the ruling BJP.

On the question of TMC’s merger with the Congress, Roy didn’t rule out the possibility and suggested both options – a merger and alliance – are on the table.

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“It is important for us to work with Congress. That much I can say. We will see whether a merger happens or an alliance,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The TMC leader, who has chosen to remain with the Mamata Banerjee despite a rebellion by 19 party MPs, further accused the BJP of violence against TMC leaders.

Battered by the BJP in the recently held Assembly elections, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is facing a rebellion – first by MLAs, who decided to go against the party line to elect “expelled” leader Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition, and then by 19 Lok Sabha MPs, who have expressed their desire to support the BJP-led NDA.

Earlier this week, Mamata met Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. This followed another meeting between her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and LoP Rahul Gandhi, triggering speculation of a TMC-Congress merger.

While Mamata has not spoken about the rebellion, a string of resignations from three Rajya Sabha MPs – Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik – have further elevated the risk of her party splitting into two factions.

Meanwhile, one of her most trusted lieutenants, Kalyan Banerjee, has also given her an ultimatum. Banerjee, who addressed a press conference against the rebel MPs just a couple of days ago, said that Mamata will have to choose between him and Abhishek Banerjee.

He accused Banerjee of being “arrogant” and said that he will no more tolerate him in the party and if Mamata chooses her ‘bhaipo’, he will quit.

‘Operation Lotus’ allegations surface

Meanwhile, TMC MP and team Mamata leader Kirti Azad has accused the BJP of using money power and threats to intimidate party leaders.

He alleged that ‘Operation Lotus’ is in full swing under the supervision of Home Minister Amit Shah.

“Operation Lotus, under the supervision of Amit Shah is in full swing. Various names through sources are floating around. This trick is not working. I can’t say about the future, but they definitely don’t have 16 names. Money was offered, threatened and now West Bengal Police is sitting at the residential premises and offices of these MPs. Come on Amit Shah try harder. After all, Udhar ka Sindoor Tumhari Mang mein uska Hai, who was caught on camera, taking a Bribe of five lakhs of rupees,” Azad said.