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TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee criticised the conduct of the rebel group led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and said leaders unhappy with the party should step down from their positions.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee. (Behind Him) Rebel MPs Satabdi Roy and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.
The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday issued a strong message to rebel MPs who have publicly raised concerns about the party and expressed support for the NDA. This came a day after a dissident camp within the party claimed that at least 20 of the TMC’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs had decided to align with the National Democratic Alliance.
Addressing a press conference, senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee criticised the conduct of the rebel group led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and said leaders unhappy with the party should step down from their positions. Banerjee said that if any leader had differences with the party or believed they could no longer remain associated with it, the ethical course of action would be to resign.
“If someone has differences of opinion with the party, if their actions place the party in an embarrassing position before the people, if they have numerous grievances against the party, or if they are no longer inclined to remain with the party and instead choose to support someone else, then it is their moral responsibility to resign,” he said.
His remarks come amid increasing turmoil within the party following the emergence of a rebel faction that has questioned the leadership and functioning of the organisation.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy’s resignation
Kalyan Banerjee referred to the resignation of former Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and described it as an example of political morality.
“You are aware that some developments took place yesterday. TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned from the Rajya Sabha yesterday. He has made certain allegations. There may be questions about how much truth there is in those allegations. However, we believe that by resigning, he has done the right thing and has upheld ethical standards and political morality,” Banerjee said.
He added that other leaders who shared similar grievances should follow the same path. “Just as Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned, others in a similar situation should also resign,” he said.
Questions over rebel camp’s claims
Banerjee also questioned the claims being made by the rebel camp regarding support from MPs. He specifically referred to a letter that Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar reportedly said had been sent to the Speaker of Parliament.
The TMC leader said the contents of the letter had not been made public and raised doubts about the claims surrounding it. “I do not know how many people signed, how many did not sign, or what exactly happened. I do not know who is making what claim. But even after 24 hours, the letter that Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said she had sent has still not been made public. No one has seen that letter yet,” Banerjee said.
Kalyan Banerjee argued that if honesty and morality were central to the rebel group’s position, the letter should have been disclosed publicly. “If honesty is such an important issue, and if morality is such an important issue, then why could that letter not be disclosed?” he asked.
The remarks mark the TMC leadership’s strongest response yet to the growing rebellion within its parliamentary ranks, as questions continue to be raised over the strength and future direction of the dissident camp.
About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen…Read More
Delhi, India, India
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