Kolkata, July 16: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed her supporters in a video message on Wednesday, expressing her determination to regain political significance in the state and the country. She emphasized that she is not worried about starting anew.
This statement comes as her party, the Trinamool Congress, has splintered into nearly three factions. The faction led by Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee has now become the ‘real but minority’ group within the party.
In contrast, the rebel faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee not only holds the majority in the West Bengal Assembly but also dominates the newly formed national committee of the party. This committee has appointed senior MLA Arup Roy as the new national president, replacing Mamata Banerjee.
Additionally, several Trinamool Congress MPs have dealt a significant political blow to Banerjee by joining the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), led by veteran leaders Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Shatabdi Roy.
During her Facebook Live session, Banerjee stated that she would start everything afresh, similar to how she established the Trinamool Congress after breaking away from the Congress party in 1998.
She noted that voters who supported the Trinamool Congress in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections did so because of the party’s traditional symbol, which reflects their ideology. She also apologized to those affected by the betrayal within the party.
Banerjee recalled that when she founded the Trinamool Congress, she was alone. Now, with 28 MPs and numerous MLAs by her side, she believes she can rebuild, just as she did in 1998.
She dismissed claims that the recent departures from the party were due to her favoritism towards her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who also serves as the party’s general secretary.
Banerjee asserted that those leaving the party are either motivated by greed or fear. She affirmed that Abhishek will continue to fight, despite the challenges, for the next 50 years.
–
Leave a Comment