Veteran TMC leader Tapas Roy quits party ahead of Lok Sabha elections

Roy, who was elected to Baranagar assembly constituency in 2011, 2016 and 2021, has also resigned as the MLA.

The senior politician said he was hurt that his party chief Mamata Banerjee did not back him when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided his place in connection with the civic body recruitment case on January 12.

"I am hurt. Mamata Banerjee could say Sheikh Shahjahan was targeted by ED but couldn't take my name in the assembly," said Roy, who has recently lashed out at TMC Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay accusing him of helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"TMC is not for me," he added. 

After handing over his resignation to Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay, Roy told the press a range of issues have prompted him to snap the ties with TMC.

Apart from expressing his unhappiness over the ED episode, Roy said corruption charges against TMC leaders in various sectors and the Sandeshkhali incident have triggered him to quit the ruling party.

"It seems corruption exists in every sector. Some party leaders' actions have created a perception that all TMC leaders are corrupt but that's not the case," said Roy, who became the MLA for the first time in 2001 from Vidyasagar constituency.

Though TMC sent minister Bratya Basu and party leader Kunal Ghosh to Roy's residence in the morning to change his mind, the rebel leader remained firm in his decision.

Roy's resignation has triggered speculations over his joining in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which looks spirited in the backdrop of the Sandeshkhali incident that has apparently hurt TMC politically.

When he was asked about his future step, Roy said, "I am a free bird now."