AGARTALA, Aug 9 (TIWN/IANS) Speculation is rife here on whether former Tripura Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Samir Ranjan Barman is likely to join the Trinamool Congress.

Barman, father of Tripura Trinamool leader Sudip Roy Barman, was present on the dais with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she addressed a meeting of party activists on Tuesday. In her speech, Banerjee exhorted workers to oust the Left Front government in Tripura. 

Banerjee felicitated Samir Ranjan with a bouquet. 

"Samir-da is with us," state Trinamool leader Ratan Chakraborty said when asked why there was no announcement on Barman's joining the party. 

Barman, 78, who was also the state Congress President, had earlier criticised central leadership of the party for its electoral alliance with Left parties in West Bengal.

Barman was unavailable for comments.