Kolkata, June 8: Ritabrata Banerjee, the expelled leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and opposition leader in the West Bengal Assembly, has raised concerns about the party’s internal crisis and questioned Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership style.
In an interview with a news agency, Ritabrata stated, “Our focus is on the TMC legislative party in the West Bengal Assembly. We are concentrating on that. The legislative party has been formed, and the assembly session will begin soon. A training program for newly elected legislators is also being organized.”
When asked if Abhishek Banerjee’s position as leader of the TMC parliamentary party is at risk, Ritabrata replied, “I am not in Delhi; I am in Kolkata. Since I am not an MP, I cannot comment much on the workings of the parliamentary party. However, the distance between Delhi and Kolkata is not very significant.”
He declined to provide specific information about the number of potential MPs leaving the party, saying, “I do not have any concrete information. I tried to call 4-5 MPs yesterday, but their phones were either off or out of coverage. Today, I spoke indirectly with some MPs, but I still do not have a clear idea.”
Regarding the party’s election symbol, he mentioned, “This is not a topic of discussion today. We will see what happens when the time comes.”
On the India Alliance meeting, Ritabrata noted that since they are not MPs, they do not have any information about the meeting.
Criticizing Abhishek Banerjee, he said, “Abhishek is a leader of the common people, but he used to travel in a convoy of 20 vehicles. Now the number has reduced, perhaps the public has made him taste a bitter defeat. Yesterday, I heard from airport staff that he took a chartered flight. He has lost connection with the common people.”
Expressing concern over the current state of the TMC, he stated, “The party is facing a crisis. Many workers are dealing with attacks and legal cases. In this situation, party funds are needed. MPs receive free business class coupons, yet taking a chartered flight is inappropriate. We thought that after losing the election, he would come to his senses and connect with the ground reality, but he is still floating like a balloon.”
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