The Calcutta High Court on Thursday stripped senior politician Mukul Roy of his West Bengal Assembly membership, invoking the anti-defection law in a landmark ruling. Elected as a BJP MLA from Krishnanagar Uttar in May 2021, Roy dramatically switched to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) just three months later, rejoining his former party in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The defection had triggered intense political controversy.

A division bench headed by Justice Debangsu Basak delivered the verdict on petitions filed by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MLA Ambika Roy. The court held that Roy’s voluntary abandonment of BJP membership without resigning from the seat violated the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The judgment reinforces the anti-defection law’s intent to curb political opportunism and maintain legislative stability.

Roy’s return to TMC in August 2021 was seen as a major coup for Mamata Banerjee, especially after the BJP’s strong performance in the assembly polls. Despite rejoining TMC, Roy remained largely inactive in party affairs and was later removed from key positions. The BJP had consistently demanded his disqualification, arguing that he continued to enjoy the MLA post while aligning with the rival camp.

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The ruling sets a precedent for strict enforcement of defection rules in West Bengal, where floor-crossing has been a recurring feature. Legal experts note that the court rejected Roy’s defense that his physical absence from BJP activities did not constitute defection. The decision mandates immediate vacation of his assembly seat, potentially triggering a by-election in Krishnanagar Uttar.

Political circles are abuzz with the verdict’s implications for TMC-BJP dynamics. While the ruling strengthens the opposition’s narrative against turncoats, TMC sources downplayed the impact, stating Roy had been politically sidelined for years. The disqualification marks a rare instance of the judiciary decisively upholding the anti-defection framework in the state.

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