Mukul Roy distances himself from Trivedi observation

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress national general secretary Mukul Roy on Thursday distanced himself from party leader Dinesh Trivedi's mid-term poll observation, saying no such discussion had taken place in the party.

"No individual should give any comment. It is a policy decision. Who am I to make any comment? The party will decide. There is a hierarchy in the party. Mamata Banerjee is the chairperson of the party and there is a working committee. This sort of discussion has not taken place in the party," Roy, a close aide of Banerjee, said.

Specifically asked if the Trinamool Congress would continue to maintain its relationship with the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, he said, "Regarding the policy of the party, I cannot say anything individually. The party will speak."

Trivedi today defended himself after his comments had created a flutter in the UPA ranks, arguing, "I have given my opinion as an individual, not as a minister or a Trinamool Congress member."

Trivedi had claimed a day after the results that the Samajwadi Party and even the Trinamool Congress would want to see a mid-term poll so that they "can increase their tally" in Parliament.

Trivedi on Thursday said, "As an individual, I have freedom of expression and to analyse the political situation."