Agencies | Calcuta:
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on rebel party leaders, describing them as “traitors” and accusing them of acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the recent political developments in West Bengal.
Addressing party workers, Banerjee questioned how leaders who had contested the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on TMC tickets could turn against the party within months.
“I express my solidarity and gratitude to those party members who have remained with the party. For the past few days, my colleagues and party spokespersons have been making public comments, but I have remained silent. Sometimes silence says more than words,” she said.
Alleging electoral malpractice, Banerjee claimed the BJP had “looted” votes during the Assembly elections and accused it of targeting TMC workers through false cases.
“Instead of working for the people, they are creating trouble and terror. False and baseless cases are being slapped on our workers,” she alleged.
Targeting the rebel faction, Banerjee said it was contradictory for leaders to claim that the party had become dysfunctional after contesting elections on its symbol.
“The party symbol was given by me. I was the signatory to your nomination papers for the 2026 elections. How did you become traitors within two months of the election? There has to be a limit,” she said.
Accusing the dissidents of serving the BJP’s interests, Banerjee said they should join the saffron party directly.
“Those traitors are acting according to the BJP’s wishes. I would tell them to go and join the BJP directly. TMC’s ideology is anti-BJP. Remember, I am still alive,” she said.
The Chief Minister also asserted that the party would remain united despite attempts to weaken it.
“The party symbol will not go anywhere. If anyone wants to stop me, they will have to kill me,” she said, adding that senior leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, had also come under attack.
Expressing concern over the political atmosphere in the state, Banerjee alleged that governance had taken a back seat.
“It is sad to see this new culture in West Bengal. Children are not getting eggs in their mid-day meals, while the police are being misused,” she claimed.
While criticising the rebels, Banerjee suggested that many had been forced to leave the party under pressure.
“I do not blame those who are leaving. I know they are under pressure. But neither I nor my party will bow before the BJP,” she said.
Responding to reports that the rebel faction had taken control of the party’s Kolkata office, Banerjee clarified that the premises remained under the TMC’s lease until October 2027.
“An individual may leave the party, but the institution does not cease to exist. It is the party’s property. No one can forcibly seize the property of ‘Ma, Mati, Manush’,” she said, announcing that the party office operating from her residence would now serve as the TMC’s principal office.
Banerjee also confirmed that Chandrima Bhattacharya had stepped down as the West Bengal TMC president and announced that she would personally take charge of the state unit.
“Chandrima Bhattacharya informed me in advance that she would resign because her son had joined hands with an anti-Trinamool faction. That is her personal decision, but I will never join hands with them,” she said.
Emphasising the need to strengthen the organisation, Banerjee said the party would now focus on its grassroots cadre.
“I don’t need leaders now. I need workers to stay with us. I have no anger against anyone. I will continue to fight,” she said.
She also announced the appointment of Madan Mitra and Kunal Ghosh as the party’s general secretaries.
