Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday described party rebels as traitors and said she would continue leading the party while valuing workers more than leaders. Speaking in a Facebook Live address, the 71-year-old former West Bengal chief minister stated she would ignore those who left and urged them to join the BJP if they had the courage. She added that departing members had properties to protect while the party needed to safeguard its family.
Her comments followed the resignation of close aide and former minister Chandrima Bhattacharya from all TMC positions, including state president, a role she had held for only a month after the party’s poor performance in recent assembly elections. In her letter, Bhattacharya also withdrew as authorised signatory for party bank accounts and as representative before the Election Commission.
Shortly after resigning, Bhattacharya met rebel legislators at the state assembly, including the Leader of the Opposition. Party sources reported she had been at headquarters the previous evening when rebels changed the locks and declared a new chairman. Banerjee expressed disappointment over the lack of resistance shown.
The rebel group had earlier approached the Election Commission in Delhi to claim the party symbol. Banerjee rejected the move, saying the symbol belonged to the party she founded and that any decision favouring the rebels would be contested. She announced she would personally oversee the state unit and appointed two new general secretaries.
She also criticised the state government for alleged harassment of TMC workers and warned against further action, while confirming plans to hold the party’s annual Martyrs’ Day event despite restrictions.
