Saradha fallout: TMC not in race for PAC seat

The Saradha scam fallout seems to be having an impact on the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s representation in at least one crucial Parliamentary committee, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

With its reputation under a cloud, the TMC is shying away from contesting for this post.

PAC has 21 members from the Lok Sabha and nine from the Rajya Sabha. It had TMC's Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sukhendu Shekhar Roy; but his term has ended. TMC Lok Sabha member and former Union minister Saugata Roy had filed a nomination for the post but was asked to withdraw by Sudip Bandyopadhyay, the TMC leader in the Lok Sabha.

AIADMK'S M Thambidurai had wanted the vacant seat and told Bandyopadhyay there would be a contest if TMC did not withdraw. This was something TMC wanted to avoid as that would had meant approaching various political parties for support. So, the TMC leader advised Roy to withdraw.

Roy said: "I had submitted my nomination for PAC in full knowledge of Bandyopadhyay. Later, I was told he had been approached by Thambidurai, who had said there would be a contest if we did not withdraw. So, I was told it was better that I withdrew to avoid elections."