TMC suspends Mukul Roy after he quits party

Trinamool Congress today suspended Mukul Roy for six years after the senior party leader on Monday announced his decision to quit the party amid reports that he was planning to join the BJP.

The TMC heavyweight met senior BJP leaders last week, fuelling speculation that he was getting close to the party, a media report quoted a source as saying.

"I was one the signatories when the party was founded. I am announcing with a heavy heart that I will resign from the party's working committee today," Mukul Roy told a press conference.

"And after the Durga Puja festival, I will resign from the Rajya Sabha and also from the primary membership of the party," the senior TMC leader said.

Mukul Roy told journalists at the press conference that he was "forced" to leave the party.

He added that he would reveal the reason for his resignation after the conclusion of the Durga Puja festival which comes to an end on September 30.