New Delhi, June 14: Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Lok Sabha MP Sudip Bandopadhyay reiterated the call for party supremo Mamata Banerjee to be appointed as an ‘advisor’ for the rebel faction of the party on Sunday. Previously, rebel MPs had also urged Banerjee to accept this role.
This marks the first instance of Bandopadhyay publicly addressing the media since news broke of his alignment with the rebel group. However, he has yet to officially sign the draft prepared under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, which is to be submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for formal recognition.
Sudip Bandopadhyay stated, “I have been under pressure to take on a leadership role, but Kakoli Ghosh has always been behind this entire effort.” He clarified that he currently has no intention of stepping into a leadership position, although some MPs are attempting to persuade him otherwise.
He mentioned that West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has been in contact with him and may meet him in Delhi later in the evening. Sudip added, “I have told him that I will sign the letter to be sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker only in his presence.”
After arriving in Delhi on Saturday, Sudip Bandopadhyay met with BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. He also had a discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He revealed that his conversation with Shah lasted nearly 70 minutes but did not disclose details about their discussion. He only mentioned that the Home Minister inquired about Mamata Banerjee’s health and well-being.
At 77, Sudip Bandopadhyay has been a long-time close associate of Mamata Banerjee and a key supporter in Parliament.
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