Kolkata/IBNS: Confirming the speculations, veteran politician Tapas Roy on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just a couple of days after quitting West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Roy joined the BJP in presence of the party's state chief Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Speaking to the reporters at BJP headquarters in Salt Lake, Kolkata, Roy said, "Now I am in the family of Modi-ji. I will fulfill all my duties and responsibilities as long as I am in politics as a member of this family. I am indebted to the state and central leadership of BJP for welcoming me in the party."

Roy, who quit TMC on March 4, said he joined the saffron camp with a pledge to establish peace in the state where the incumbent is facing serious political challenges post the Sandeshkhali episode, where several local women accused erstwhile ruling party strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, who is now under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody, of land grabbing and sexual abuse.

"There is a misrule going on in the state. The state government is run by people like Sheikh Shahjahan, Uttar Sardar, Shibu Hazra. It talks of the Constitution, law and order but doesn't follow court orders. I have joined BJP with a pledge to work towards establishing a peaceful Bengal," Roy said.

Roy, who was a Congress leader until he switched to TMC, on Monday resigned as the MLA before dumping the ruling party.

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 accused TMC Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay of having a role behind the ED raid.

Roy joined the BJP, which is yet to establish its footprint in the urban belt, amid speculations that he might be given a ticket from North Kolkata constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Despite having our supporters and efficient leaders in Kolkata, BJP was in need of a few experienced politicians. I believe Tapas Roy will fulfill a lot of that need," said Adhikari, who is taking on the TMC government head-on.

TMC responds

Responding to Roy's joining in the BJP, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted on X, "The @BJP4India
’s 'WASHING MACHINE' saga continues as @TapasRoyAITC swiftly joins the ANTI BENGAL Gang within 2 months of the ED raiding his house.

"This IMAGE is a testament of the BJP's TREATMENT of the people of Bengal, reinforcing why they are often referred to as ZAMINDARS."