The political landscape of West Bengal is heating up once again. In a significant development that has sent ripples through political circles, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy held a crucial meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah late Monday evening. The meeting took place during Shah’s visit to Kolkata to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
Coming just a month after Roy dramatically resigned from both the TMC and his Rajya Sabha membership, this high-profile rendezvous has fueled intense speculation. Political corridors are now buzzing with rumors that the veteran leader might officially join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) very soon.
The Rajya Sabha Election Connection
The timing of this meeting is what makes it a massive talking point for political analysts. West Bengal is gearing up for voting on three vacant Rajya Sabha seats scheduled for July 24, as officially announced by the Election Commission on Monday. Following the TMC’s recent setbacks in the assembly elections and a visible split leading to the resignation of three of its MPs, the BJP is closely strategizing its next move. Experts believe that Roy’s meeting with the BJP’s top strategist right before the RS polls is not just a mere coincidence.
A Growing Rift with the Trinamool Congress
Sukhendu Shekhar Roy’s departure from the TMC was not abrupt. The seasoned politician had been increasingly vocal and critical of Trinamool supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, particularly following the highly publicized RG Tax scandal that rocked the state in August 2024. His continuous disillusionment with the party’s leadership ultimately culminated in his resignation, making him a highly valuable independent political asset in Bengal right now.
Historic Mementos and a “Courtesy Call”
While the political grapevine is in overdrive, Roy himself has downplayed the event, terming it a strict “courtesy call.” During their interaction, Roy presented Amit Shah with several rare and historically significant mementos.
Key gifts exchanged during the meeting included:
A stunning replica of Abanindranath Tagore’s iconic painting “Bharat Mata,” created during the 1905 Partition of Bengal movement.
A rare, preserved portrait of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee from the personal collection of Roy’s father, Shivendu Shekhar Roy.
A deeply historic letter dated October 5, 1943, written by Dr. Mukherjee to Roy’s father. This letter highlights Dr. Mukherjee’s massive relief efforts during the tragic Bengal famine and his strong advocacy for establishing a college in Malda.
What Lies Ahead?
Sources close to the development revealed that during the discussion, Roy also took a moment to express his gratitude to the Home Minister for ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election process in Bengal. While the BJP high command has maintained a strategic silence and declined to comment officially on the meeting, all eyes are now firmly set on the July 24 Rajya Sabha polls to see if Sukhendu Shekhar Roy will emerge as the saffron party’s newest face in West Bengal.
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