Rebel Suman decides not to quit Trinamool, Lok Sabha

Rebel Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman, whose sympathetic stance towards Naxalites and outbursts against alleged in-house corruption within Trinamool Congress had embarrassed his party, today backtracked on his threatened resignation, saying he would not quit from the party and the Lok Sabha.

The MP, who represents Jadavpur seat, told a press conference that he has decided not to resign as an MP or from the party “in deference to the wishes of writer Mahasweta Devi” whom he described as being like his guardian

Suman's decision would seemingly add to the discomfiture of the Trinamool Congress which is against his continuing as an MP or as a party member.

Both writer Mahasweta Devi and the singer-turned politician have been vocal against the government offensive against Maoists and have expressed sympathy for the Naxalite-backed PCPA at Lalgarh.

Suman, who had on March 28 sent an SMS to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee announcing his resignation from the party as well as the decision to quit from the Lok Sabha, accused a section of the Trinamul leadership of being in a hurry to see him out of Parliament.

“I had sent SMSes to Tribnamul Congress leaders. I have not given any formal letter of resignation. Now I have decided not to resign from the Lok Sabha as well also from the party respecting the sentiments of a large number of my supporters in my constituency along with Mahasweta Devi whom I treat as my guardian”, Suman said.

It might be noted that on recieving his SMS, an embarrassed Trinamul Congress had written to Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar seeking Suman's disqualification.

He said, “like other parties, there are also pockets of corruption in Trinamul Congress. I have tolerated it for a long time. How much longer will I tolerate?”

The singer, whose latest music album on the PCPA convenor Chhhatradhar Mahato and Lalgarh movement by Naxalites had come as a major embarrassment for his party which had taken a stand against the Maoist violence, reiterated his support to the PCPA. He said during dharna outside Parliament against CPI(M), he had urged the party leaders to include “terror” unleashed by the state administration in Lalgarh in the agenda for protest. He however stated that his propsal had not been taken seriously by the party. “But my request was turned down by Sudip Bandyopadhyya, the chief whip of the Trinamul parliamentary party.”

He said supporting PCPA should not be seen as supporting the Naxals. Terming as “tragic” the killing of a large number of CRPF jawans at Chhattigarsh, he, however, flayed “torture” of “innocent tribals” by security forces.