Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a scathing attack on rebel party leaders, calling them “traitors" and accusing them of acting at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) behest following the recent political upheaval in West Bengal.
Addressing party workers, Banerjee questioned how rebel leaders who had contested the 2026 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 by the BJP, Banerjee claimed the ruling party at the BJP had “looted" votes during the West Bengal Assembly election. “Instead of working for the people, they are creating trouble and terror. False and baseless cases are being slapped on our workers," she alleged.
Taking aim at the rebel faction, Banerjee said it was contradictory for leaders who had fought elections on TMC tickets to now claim the party had become dysfunctional. “If that was the case, how did they contest the 2026 elections on the party’s ticket?" she asked.
“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 added.
Accusing the rebels of working in the BJP’s interest, Banerjee said, “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 added.
Banerjee also claimed TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, had come under attack but asserted that the party would remain united. “The party symbol will not go anywhere. If anyone wants to stop me, they will have to kill me," she said.
Expressing concern over the political situation 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 rebel leaders, Banerjee suggested that many had been forced into leaving the party.
“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 said that the premises had been taken on lease by the TMC 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.
She announced that the Trinamool Congress office operating from her residence would henceforth function as the party’s principal office.
Banerjee also confirmed that Chandrima Bhattacharya had resigned as the West Bengal TMC president and said she would personally assume 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.
Declaring that the party would now focus on strengthening its grassroots organisation, Banerjee said, “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 also announced the appointment of Madan Mitra and Kunal Ghosh as the party’s general secretaries.
Source: News18