This Article is From Aug 02, 2021

"Will Stay MP": Ex-Minister Babul Supriyo Tweaks Plan After JP Nadda Meet

Babul Supriyo plans to move to Kolkata or Mumbai.

Babul Supriyo had said that one doesn't need to be in politics to do social work.

New Delhi:

Two days after he announced his decision to quit politics -- and his Parliamentary seat -- former Union Minister Babul Supriyo has had a rethink on the second.

The Bollywood-singer-turned-politician on Monday said he will "continue to discharge his constitutional responsibility" without being politically active. He is a two term MP from Asansol, West Bengal.

Mr Supriyo's re-calibrated position emerged following his meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda on Monday.

The BJP MP, who recently lost his position as Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change following a cabinet reshuffle, on Saturday posted an emotional message on his Facebook wall declaring his decision.

"I'm leaving...Alvida (farewell)...If you want to do social work, you can do it without being in politics..." he had said. Some political opponents, like Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, had called his move "drama".

The MP, however, has reiterated his stand.

"I will continue as an MP but I will leave politics. I will continue to use the constitutional post. I will discharge the constitutional responsibility without engaging in any political activity," Mr Supriyo said after meeting Mr Nadda.

"I'm not joining any political party. I'm leaving the bungalow and will shift to Kolkata or Mumbai."

In his Facebook post, Mr Supriyo admitted that the loss of his ministerial position in last month's reshuffle was "certainly, partially" responsible for his decision to quit. When he was dropped, he had controversially tweeted "I was asked to resign", which he recanted later.

The 50-year-old was fielded from the Tollygunge constituency in south Kolkata in the West Assembly polls held earlier this year. He lost by around 50,000 votes.

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