Mamata Banerjee blames BJP for fueling TMC dissent
Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of directly orchestrating a rift within her party, claiming that dissenters are acting at the saffron party's behest. In a video message, Banerjee dared those leaving the TMC to join the BJP openly instead of working against her covertly.
Chandrima Bhattacharya resigns as TMC Bengal president
Banerjee's remarks came on the same day she lost another long-time associate, Chandrima Bhattacharya, who resigned as TMC's West Bengal president and from other party positions. Bhattacharya's departure is seen as a significant blow to Banerjee's leadership, adding to a series of exits from the party in recent months.
“I dare the treacherous and ungrateful traitors who are abandoning the party to directly join the BJP and take me on if they have the courage to do so, instead of playing this dishonest BJP-sponsored game,” Banerjee said in her video message.
Banerjee to double as party chairperson and state president
Banerjee announced that she would also function as the TMC's state president until veteran leader Subrata Bakshi, who is currently indisposed, recovers. She emphasized that she would continue to fulfill her responsibilities as the party's chairperson alongside this additional role.
New appointments: Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as general secretaries
Banerjee also announced the induction of party leaders Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as general secretaries, a move aimed at strengthening the party's organizational structure amid ongoing dissent.
Banerjee questions timing of dissent
Attacking the dissenters, Banerjee questioned why they had not voiced their differences earlier. “You call yourself rebels? Where was your rebellion before the elections? Where was your dissent during the last 15 years when you were MPs and MLAs on TMC tickets and operated as ministers and in other important government positions? Why didn’t you come to me then and voice your differences?” she said.
Loyal workers called 'party's goldmine'
Calling workers who remain loyal in “these difficult times” as the “party's goldmine,” Banerjee advised the rebels who “have betrayed and quit the party with their luggage and baggage” to ensure they did not commit “the same treachery with the people who voted for them.”
