Former Railway Minister Mukul Roy was all set to quit Trinamool Congress and join the newly-formed All India Nationalist Trinamool Congress Party by the end of this month, sources said.
The one-time Trinamool number two has made final arrangements and would soon resign as TMC Rajya Sabha MP.
The former Trinamool All-India General Secretary was reportedly in touch with retired IPS officer Nazrul Islam's Mulniwasi Samity and expelled CPI(M) veteran Rezzak Mollah's Bharatiya Naybichar Manch. The two leaders were likely to meet at Roy's Nizam Palace quarters in Kolkata later this month, sources said adding however that Mollah has also been approached by the TMC.
"The Trinamool which garnered 39 per cent votes in the 2014 general elections may not be able to put up a similar show if the Election Commission of India manages to hold a Bihar-type-election in Bengal.
In that case the Trinamool may suffer a direct loss of 3-4 per cent vote" said a Trinamool MlA known for his proximity to Roy.
In that case even if the former Railway Minister's new party manages to eat away 2-3 per cent vote of the Bengal ruling party then it could spell a disaster for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee because "as per a recent survey conducted by a major media house this time round only 1-2 per cent vote will decide between the winner and the loser."