Former Union Minister Babul Supriyo to remain MP

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, August 2

Singer-politician Babul Supriyo said he would remain a Member of Parliament, although he would “withdraw from politics beyond the constitutional post”.

Supriyo, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Asansol in West Bengal, said he would continue to serve in his public capacity as an MP but would not refrain from politics beyond that. He also repeated that he would quit his official residence.

Supriyo’s statements came after a meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party’s national president JP Nadda on Monday.

“There are several MPs who aren’t part of active politics,” he told the press. “I spoke to Naddaji and told him about my decision to withdraw from active politics. I told him that I’ve already taken this decision and intend to stand by it,” he told the press.

“I say it again: I will fulfil my duties as MP without indulging in active politics. Several developmental projects are currently in progress in Asansol out of my MPLAD funds. I will continue to do everything that’s expected of an MP.”

His decision will be a big reprieve to the BJP as it would not have liked to be forced to contest a bypoll against the Trinamool Congress, which is upbeat after handing a comprehensive defeat to the saffron party in the recent West Bengal assembly polls.

The development comes a few days after Supriyo (50) announced his decision to quit active politics. Supriyo, who has served as a Union minister for the Narendra Modi government, was removed earlier this month in a major cabinet rejig.

“Leaving, Goodbye. I spoke to my parents, wife, friends, and after listening to the advice, I am saying that I am leaving. I am not going to any other party – TMC, Congress, CPIM, nowhere. I am confirming that nobody has called me. “I am going nowhere. I am a one-team player! I have always supported one team, #MohunBagan – Have been with only one party – BJP West Bengal. That’s it!! Leaving,” Supriyo said in the first Facebook post.

The singer-turned-politician said that he will vacate his government accommodation within a month.

“I have stayed for too long. I have helped somebody, have disappointed someone…it is for the people to decide. If you want to do social work, you can do it without being in politics. Yes, I am resigning from the post of MP,” his post read.

He indicated that differences with the state leadership could be one of the reasons behind his decision.

Supriyo had unsuccessfully contested assembly polls against Trinamool Congress party’s Aroop Biswas in the March-April assembly elections.

— With PTI inputs