Days after he wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating that defecting to BJP in January was a mistake and wishes to return to Trinamool Congress, former state minister Manjul Krishna Thakur on Wednesday openly apologised for his mistake and claimed he was misguided. READ: Former TMC minister Manjul Krishna Thakur wants to rejoin TMC, dumps BJP Thakur, who had joined BJP ahead of Bongaon bypolls, on Wednesday went to the state Assembly and waited for a long time before he could meet Trinamool secretary general Partha Chatterjee. In the meeting, which lasted for a few minutes, he handed over a letter to Chatterjee. [related-post] “It was a mistake. Anyone can make a mistake. I want a chance to rectify my mistake. I repent it wholeheartedly,” he said in the presence of Chatterjee and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim. “Earlier, I had applied to the TMC leadership to take me back. Just like any other normal human being, I too committed a mistake and requested the party leadership to forgive me. Today, I met Speaker Biman Banerjee and Trinamool leader Partha Chatterjee,” Thakur told mediapersons. Last month, Thakur had written to Mamata accepting his “mistake”. Asked whether he wanted to get back his ministerial portfolio, Thakur said: “I can’t comment on this matter. I just want to return to my party and forget the mistakes. I want to work for the people. I had then taken the step after being misguided by BJP.” State BJP president Rahul Sinha refused to comment on the development. Thakur had resigned as minister and along with his son Subrata, joined BJP just ahead of the February 13 bypolls in Bongaon Lok Sabha seat. Manjul had then accused the TMC government and party of functioning in a ‘whimsical’ way. Later on, Subrata was given a BJP ticket to contest from Bongaon against his aunt, Trinamool candidate Mamata Bala Thakur. Mamata Bala had registered a massive victory in the bypolls. Thakur — former state minister of refugee relief and rehabilitation — has reportedly been advised to write to the Assembly Speaker about his decision. Sources in Trinamool said he was likely to be re-inducted because of his influence over the Matua community, which has a considerable a presence in North 24-Parganas and Nadia. Mamata has reportedly sought Mamata Bala’s opinion regarding the matter.
