New Delhi: Former union minister Babul Supriyo, who was trolled on social media for his “re-entry” into politics, on Sunday justified his move to join the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and said that it was a good opportunity for public welfare.
“I am aware of trolling on social media. I have been engaged in politics for the last 7 years. I felt it was a good opportunity (on joining TMC) for public welfare,” he told the media here.
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The Asansol MP, who was stripped off his portfolio during the recent Cabinet reshuffle at the Centre, had earlier announced to “quit” politics .
Supriyo thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the TMC for making him a part of the party’s ‘playing 11’.
“I thank Mamata didi, Abhishek Banerjee and the TMC for giving me a chance in the ‘playing 11’,” he said, ANI reported.
Responding to a poser on how he will celebrate as he joined the TMC, Supriyo said: “I will sing no song and no post will be released. For seven years, I have fought at the grassroots level. I have nothing to prove to anyone. People have seen my work.”
“Mamata Banerjee is an important leader of the country. Everything is fair in love and war. I have rivals, but no enemies. I am not making any history by joining the TMC. I am following an opportunity and fulfilling responsibility for the nation,” he added.
Asserting the Opposition has a place in a democracy, Supriyo said Mamata Banerjee is a strong face of the opposition party.
“You are seeing how the people of the opposition party are coming to her. The BJP will criticise us. It’s natural,” he added.
Supriyo, who left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being dropped from the Union Cabinet, joined the TMC earlier on Saturday.
The 50-year-old singer-turned politician had resigned in August as Minister of state for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.