Rebel Trinamool Congress member of Parliament Kabir Suman, whose sympathetic stance towards Maoists and outbursts against alleged in-house corruption had embarrassed his party, backtracked on his threatened resignation, saying he would not quit from the party and the Lok Sabha.
The MP, who represents Jadavpur seat, told a press conference that he has decided not to resign as an MP or from the party "in deference to the wishes of writer Mahasweta Devi" whom he described as "like my guardian". Suman's decision would seemingly add to the discomfiture of the Trinamool Congress which is against his continuing as an MP or as a party member.
Both writer Mahasweta Devi and the singer-turned politician have been vocal against the government offensive against Maoists and have expressed sympathy for the Maoist-backed Peoples Committee against Police Atrocities at Lalgarh.
Suman, who had earlier on March 28 sent an SMS to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee announcing his resignation from the party as well as the decision to quit from the Lok Sabha, accused a section of the Trinamool leadership of being in a hurry to see him out of Parliament.
"I had sent SMSes to Trinamool Congress leaders. I have not given any formal letter of resignation. Now I have decided not to resign from the Lok Sabha as well also from the party respecting the sentiments of a large number of my supporters in my constituency as also Mahasweta Devi whom I treat as my guardian," Suman said.
