Tathagata Roy has been perhaps one of the most outspoken, unapologetic and fearless Governors to have served their term in a state. On Twitter, he is seen standing up for Bengali Hindus and speaking against the atrocities committed on them, whether they be during the partition of Bengal, the massacre of Sylheti-Bengali refugees or in present times, the pathetic side-lining of West Bengal’s Hindus by a ‘dictatorial regime’. Having been relieved of his duties as the Governor of Meghalaya and not being assigned to any other state, social media has been replete with speculations about the 74-year old Roy plunging back into active politics of no less than a state like West Bengal, which goes to polls next year.
Having been relieved of the baggage of occupying a constitutional post, Tathagata Roy is upbeat about truly being himself and constructively contributing to the BJP in West Bengal to “do justice to the Hindus” of the state. Tathagata Roy has made his willingness to once again join active politics of West Bengal known to the state and central leaderships on the party, and also to the RSS. Currently, he is awaiting a decision from the party’s central leadership. What is clear, however, is that Roy is in no way willing to retire just yet.
I changed my profile,in case u haven’t noticed.
I am no longer bound by niceties of my former office which were far fewer than what many imagined; but they were there. Now for me they don’t exist 😃😃😃
Of course that doesn’t mean I’ll go berserk trolling paid stooges!
🙏🙏🙏— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) August 21, 2020
“I will go by what the party decides. I have already expressed my desire to come back to active politics but it’s not for me to decide what role I will play,” Roy said. On the 2021 assembly elections in Bengal, Roy said BJP stands a very good chance. “The politics of West Bengal is always so polarised that a third or fourth party practically has no chance,” he said. “CPM has been tried out and rejected. The party will not get even 1% of the votes this time. Congress is a leaderless party and is extremely confused. So, the fight is between Trinamool and the BJP,” the former Governor of Meghalaya told The Economic Times.
Roy had served as the Bengal state president of BJP from 2002 to 2006. He even fought two general elections in 2009 and 2014, and was part of the BJP National Executive until 2015, before being appointed as the Governor of Tripura. Roy remained the Governor of Tripura until August 2018, before being transferred to Meghalaya. Between July and August 2016, he also held additional charge of the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh.
The addition of Tathagata Roy in West Bengal BJP one year prior to polls will come as a huge shot in the arm for the saffron party, which is anyway struggling with a face deficit in the state to directly take on Mamata Banerjee. There is a visible void in the state setup of the party, as it much like in 2019, is heavily relying on the Modi-Shah factor to dethrone Mamata. While the top-duo factor might have proven to be a major asset for the saffron party in national elections, for state polls, the said factor must be heavily complemented by a face on the ground.
Tathagata Roy is just the man needed by the BJP to give Mamata Banerjee sleepless nights and a run for her money. Being a fearless and politically incorrect critic of the TMC, Roy has not shied away from calling out the “Ma, Mati, Manush” party for its shameless appeasement and pandering to minorities, irrespective of them being Indian citizens or illegal Bangladeshis, at the cost of the state’s Hindus. In an already polarised political environment, Roy would come as a boon for the saffron party.
Tathagata Roy has proven as Governor of Meghalaya that he stands for those who do not have a voice. In Meghalaya, the man has been a staunch critic of the various pressure groups masquerading as student unions, and has spoken on more occasions than one can remember against the racial and ethnic discrimination which the non-tribals of the state face.
The Bengali Hindus of West Bengal are in dire need of someone who has the capability of speaking for them. A scholar and a knowledgeable man, Roy is not the usual politician. As such, he is bound to strike a chord with the bhadraloks of Bengal, who are immensely disgruntled with the Mamata regime and are desiring an immediate change in the state.