Leader of the Opposition in Bengal Suvendu Adhikary on Monday told BJP legislators mulling the prospect of switching over to the Trinamul to do a Babul Supriyo, not Mukul Roy.

The former Asansol MP Supriyo had stepped down as a Parliamentarian after joining the Trinamul in September. Roy, on the other hand, is clinging to his Krishnagar North seat as well as the Public Accounts Committee chairman’s chair, which has now been dragged to the Supreme Court.

“Suvendu did not mince any words. He stated clearly that those who want to jump ship should resign from their posts (as legislators) or they will lose it. He said they will lose their posts otherwise and would have to take the by-election route to return to the Assembly,” a BJP MLA from North Bengal said after the first day of the Assembly session.

Speaker Biman Banerjee, who was directed by the Calcutta High Court to settle the issue of Roy’s defection by October 7, has moved the apex court.

After results were declared on May 2, five MLAs who had won on a BJP ticket have taken up the Trinamul flag, while Lok Sabha MP Sunil Mandal, who was seen campaigning for the BJP during the Assembly polls, has re-taken his seat reserved for Trinamul MPs in the Lok Sabha. Former Bidhannagar mayor Sabyasachi Dutta and former minister Rajib Banerjee, considered big catches by the BJP before the polls, have also returned. Banerjee made his re-entry into the Trinamul on Sunday in Tripura.

This is the first time in Bengal’s legislative and political history that the Trinamul Congress has faced a legal challenge over its repeated poaching of MLAs from other parties.

“Suvendu said since the Speaker has moved the Supreme Court in the matter, the legal battle will continue,” an MLA said.

In a case involving the Speaker of Manipur state Assembly, the Supreme Court had stipulated a three-month time frame for speakers to decide on cases of defection.

The saffron camp is also upset with the Speaker for rejecting their demand of an obituary reference to victims of violence during Durga Puja in neighbouring Bangladesh in the Assembly.

“We wanted to remember those who lost their lives in Bangladesh violence. The Treasury Bench did not accept our demand,” said Adhikary.

Later on Monday evening, BJP MLAs held a candle light march inside the Assembly premises to pay their respects.