Kolkata: Former West Bengal Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee on Saturday held a closed-door meeting with TMC spokesperson and state general secretary Kunal Ghosh at the latter's residence.
After over an hour of meeting, Rajib said that it was a ‘courtesy meeting’ and has nothing to do with politics.
“One of my relatives is not well and I came to meet that relative. Since Kunal Ghosh’s house is in the same lane I came over as I have known Kunal for years. Moreover, after the election it is my first visit to North Kolkata,” stated Rajib.
When asked about him joining back the TMC as ace politician Mukul Roy have rejoined the ruling party, Rajib said that during the ongoing pandemic he is worried about the well-being of the people and not politics.
“I have mentioned in the social media post I am more concerned about people’s health during the pandemic and not politics. Mukul Roy is a senior leader and he did what suited him best. Even ahead of the polls, Kunal met with Suvendu and Babul that doesn’t mean that either of them are switching camps,” added Rajib.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also echoed what Rajib said and also claimed that the return of any leaders will be decided by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
Speculation intensified as several posters of TMC and party flags were seen inside Rajib Banerjee’s car.
Notably, earlier this week after being absent at BJP’s internal working committee meeting, the former West Bengal Forest Minister took to social media and without naming BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari slammed him for his comments and also wrote in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
Speculation over Rajib’s defection to the TMC made it to the headlines ever since then. Meanwhile, without naming Rajib, posters slamming him were seen all across Domjur area in Howrah district. Several TMC cadres of Howrah have requested TMC’s heavyweight leaders for not taking back Rajib Banerjee and termed him as ‘Gaddar’.
However, according to poll analysts,Rajib’s meeting with Kunal is a political strategy of defecting back to the TMC fold as earlier several times many politicians through Kunal Ghosh have rejoined the ruling Trinamool Congress.
