Mamata’s Man Friday Suvendu Adhikari finally quits TMC

Setting aside all speculation Mamata’s ‘man Friday’ Suvendu Adhikary today officially informed the TMC leadership that it was not possible for him to work together with the present leadership. It means he is finally leaving TMC. He, however, did not spell out his future plans. Organiser had already reported on November 28 that his exit from TMC is final.

In a brief SMS in Bengali to TMC negotiator and Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy Suvendu said “It is not possible to work together. Until now my issues have not been resolved. Without solving my problems all responsibility is being thrust on me. I was supposed to hold a press conference on 6th December where I was scheduled to disclose everything. However without me that opportunity you have disclosed everything to the media. As a result, it is not possible for me to work together. Please pardon me.’’

Last night Roy had organised a meeting at a house in North Kolkata to dissuade Suvendu from leaving the party. This was the third attempt to stop Suvendu from exiting TMC. Besides Roy, Trinamool MP Sudip Bandopadhyay, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhisekh Banerjee and election strategist Prashant Kishore attended the meeting that went on until late night.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also spoke to Suvendu over phone from the meeting. This was the time in the past four months that Suvendu spoke to Mamata. The last time they spoke was in July. Later Roy claimed that Suvendu was over and that he wouldn’t leave the party. He will soon clarify his position. At that moment Suvendu however remained silent. In all possibility Suvendu is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or float his own party that would subsequently merge with BJP after the Bengal polls.

Insiders said that Suvendu’s main grievance was against the present leadership. He had already expressed his grievance to Saugata Roy in the first negotiation. There he said, he was comfortable in TMC when it was run by Mamata Banerjee and Subrata Bakshi, the party President. At present, TMC leaders who are leaving the party have openly resented against the present leadership of Abhisekh Banerjee and election strategist Prashant Kishore. TMC is facing a massive exodus to BJP against the Abhisekh and Prashant combined leadership.