Mamata Loyalist Kalyan Slams TMC Rebels—‘Want To See How They Face Our Party Workers After Joining BJP’

Kalyan Banerjee Challenges TMC Rebels Amid Party Turmoil

Kalyan Banerjee, a staunch supporter of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has issued a bold challenge to rebel members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) who are considering aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He invoked Schedule 10 of the Constitution, emphasizing that any split from the party necessitates a merger, requiring at least two-thirds of the faction to come together. “If they want to split, they have no choice but to merge with the BJP,” Banerjee stated.

He further called on these MPs to return to their constituencies and confront the very party workers who helped secure their electoral victories. “I want to see how these MPs after joining BJP will go to their constituency and face the workers, who had toiled hard for their victory," he said. The tension heightened as Banerjee pointed out that TMC workers are currently facing violence from BJP supporters, questioning how the defectors would justify their actions to those they once represented.

Banerjee accused the BJP's central leadership of orchestrating the unrest within the TMC, highlighting a recent meeting between rebel MPs and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, despite the fact that BJP ministers have not yet received their portfolios. He suggested that rebel MP Dastidar should follow the example of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and resign, asserting, “We are happy they are leaving. It’s good that their double character has been exposed.” He noted that those meeting BJP leaders have effectively become part of that party.

When asked about the TMC's next steps, Banerjee reaffirmed the party's resolve. “We have fought earlier also against the Chief Minister. Now we will fight the BJP under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee,” he declared, signaling that the TMC intends to stand firm in the face of growing opposition.