Babul Supriyo’s plan changes after meeting with JP Nadda

New Delhi: A day 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 today said he will “continue to discharge his constitutional responsibility” without being politically active.

Mr Supriyo’s re-calibrated position emerged following his meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda today.

The BJP’s Asansol MP, who recently lost his position as Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change following a cabinet reshuffle, yesterday 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, 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.