BJP MP and former minister Babul Supriyo joined the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata on Saturday, two months after announcing that he was quitting politics.

“Today, in the presence of national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and RS MP Derek O’Brien, former Union Minister and sitting MP Babul Supriyo joined the Trinamool family,” the party said in a tweet.

In a press conference, after joining the party, Babul Supriyo said that West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has given him a great opportunity and that he is proud of changing his decision of quitting politics. 

“I meant it from my heart when I said I’ll leave politics. However, I felt there was a huge opportunity that was entrusted upon me (on joining TMC). All my friends said my decision to leave politics was wrong and emotional,” he said in a press conference.

“I’m very proud that I am changing my decision. I am coming back for a great opportunity to serve Bengal. I am very excited. I will meet Didi (CM Mamata Banerjee) on Monday. I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome,” he added. 

In July, Supriyo had announced that he was quitting politics but was later persuaded against resigning as a Lok Sabha member even as he insisted that he would no longer be part of active politics. After meeting BJP president J P Nadda, he told the reporters that he would continue to discharge his responsibilities as a parliamentarian but would withdraw from politics and leave his official residence in New Delhi. 

The singer-turned-politician contested the recent Assembly elections in West Bengal from the Tollygunj constituency, losing to TMC’s Aroob Biswas.

Following TMC’s return to power, Supriyo called Mamata Banerjee a “cruel lady”.

“Because I think people of Bengal made a historic mistake by not giving Bharatiya Janata party a chance and by electing this Corrupt, Incapable, Dishonest government & a cruel lady back to power,” he said in a now-deleted Facebook post.