KOLKATA: Former Trinamool Congress strongman Mukul Roy is in talks with BJP leaders but has not formally approached the party for his induction, BJP national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash today said.
There has been speculation that Roy, who was recently suspended from the TMC, would join the BJP which was seeking to expand its base in the key eastern state.
"The final decision in this regard will be taken by the party high command after consultation with the state unit. We will take a call after we receive a request," he told PTI.
He said Roy has been in touch with BJP leaders for quite some time but the party is yet to receive any formal request from him regarding his induction.
Several state party leaders are vehemently opposed to Roy's induction into the party.
When asked about the party leaders opposed to his induction, Prakash said, "When party takes a decision, opinion of everybody is taken, then party takes a call."
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Union minister Babul Supriyo today lauded Roy for his organisational capabilities.
"The decision on whether to induct him or not will be taken by our party high command. I cannot comment on it as I don't have any information on it. But I must say that Mukul Roy is a good organiser and is known for his organisational capabilities," he said after a party meeting here.
Meanwhile, Roy, today sent his greetings to state BJP leaders on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami.
Roy, a former close confidante of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, had said on September 25 that he would resign from the TMC after Durga Puja prompting the party to suspend him for six years for "anti-party activities".
Once the second-in-command in the TMC, Roy has been maintaining distance from the party leadership for the past few months. He was removed as the TMC vice president after the party decided to revamp its structure.