Mamata nominates Derek O’Brien as transport panel chief, replaces Mukul Roy

Roy is no longer in the good books of Mamata Banerjee and her trusted aide O’Brien was picked to head the important panel.

Updated on: Aug 30, 2017, 24:41:17 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By HT Correspondent, New Delhi

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In an indication of a bitter battle within the ruling party of West Bengal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is learnt to have nominated Derek O’Brien as the head of the transport and tourism panel, replacing Mukul Roy.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the media with TMC MP Derek O'Brien accompanying her. (PTI File Photo)

Roy was made the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture last year. But since he is no longer in the good books of Banerjee, her trusted aide O’Brien has been picked to head the important panel.

On Tuesday, O’Brien also took oath after being re-nominated to the Upper House. Along with him, Trinamool’s first MP from Darjeeling district Shanta Chhetri and former Congress state chief turned TMC leader Manas Bhuiyan also took oath.

The cold war between Roy and Banerjee has been brewing for some time now. The battle started after Roy allegedly started hobnobbing with BJP leaders and also avoided arrest by the CBI in the Saradha chit fund scam.

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