Mamata speaks on TMC crisis: Key takeaways from her address after Chandrima’s exit

Within hours after her erstwhile trusted aid and former Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned from all party posts, accusing her of questioning her credibility, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (July 4) lashed out at the BJP and the rebel faction of the TMC, accusing the saffron party of attempting to split the TMC and undermine its organisation.

Mamata, in a Facebook Live message, announced changes in the party's leadership, defended the TMC's legal and organisational status, and rejected the rebels' claims over the party's headquarters and election symbol. Here are the key takeaways from her address:

Dares rebels to join the BJP openly

“I dare the treacherous and ungrateful traitors who are abandoning the party to directly join the BJP and take me on if they have the courage to do so, instead of playing this dishonest BJP-sponsored game,” said Banerjee.

To oversee party organisation herself

“As chairperson, I will look after the All India Trinamool Congress, and I will also oversee the West Bengal Trinamool Congress. I don't have any other work now. From now on, I will devote myself fully to strengthening the party. I meet party workers every day, so I will now pay even closer attention to the organisation,” said the TMC supremo.

She will function as the TMC’s Bengal president till veteran leader Subrata Bakshi, who is currently indisposed, is nursed back to health. Banerjee also announced the induction of party leaders Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as general secretaries.

Questions timing of rebellion

“You call yourself rebels? Where was your rebellion before the elections? Where was your dissent during the last 15 years when you were MPs and MLAs on TMC tickets and operated as ministers and in other important government positions? Why didn’t you come to me then and voice your differences?” she added.

Also Read: TMC crisis deepens as state party chief Chandrima Bhattacharya resigns from all posts

Banerjee described workers who have stood by the TMC during the ongoing crisis as the party's “goldmine” and urged those who had left the party not to betray the people who voted for them.

Rejects rebels' claim about party's legal status

“Those who won elections using the party symbol signed by me are now claiming that this party has had no legal existence since 2023. They are saying that we should hold fresh organisational elections in October 2027. That is simply not the case,” said Banerjee.

Asserts official party headquarters

“My office at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street remains the official office of the Trinamool Congress. It is the party office today, and it will remain so in the future,” she said.

Also Read: Ritabrata faction takes control of TMC headquarters in Kolkata

Banerjee said the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass office was only a rented premises and displayed rent receipts during her livestream to support the claim. “No one can loot the Trinamool Congress’s assets. No one can seize what belongs to our party. You are taking the central forces with you to put locks on our offices. You may be able to lock up a building, but you cannot lock people’s hearts,” she said.

‘BJP targeting TMC symbol’

“The BJP is trying to engineer a split in our party. They are attempting to snatch away our election symbol. But the symbol will not go in your favour. Even if we assume that 'Vanish Kumar' (a jibe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar) has decided to finish our party, and even if they take away our symbol, what difference will it make? A symbol is whatever the common people and the Trinamool Congress accept. I will dangle the symbol from my neck and reach out to the people,” said Banerjee.

Attacks BJP over recent controversies

Banerjee criticised the BJP over the eviction of hawkers from railway stations, the controversy surrounding the mid-day meal menu, incidents in which TMC leaders were pelted with eggs, and cases where accused persons were paraded through the streets with ropes tied around their waists.

Referring to allegations of donation theft linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, she said, “After looting, you are spreading so much terror. When will all this stop? Why are you continuing this campaign of intimidation? It has already been more than two months since you won the election. Celebrations do not continue for this long.”

On CM Suvendu Adhikari

Expressing her views on the current political developments in the state, Banerjee also had comments on Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a former Trinamool leader.

“I extend my best wishes to the person who has become the chief minister today. But I will remind him that he once belonged to the Trinamool. He was once in Congress as well. He lost elections many times and I repeatedly visited his constituency for him. That was my duty, and I take no credit for that,” she said.

“From the Development Boards of Haldia to Digha, everything was run by our government through you. Suddenly, within just three to four years, you have become a saint. And those who had nothing and struggled all their lives are now being targeted with state terror. Do not act with cruelty, it may come back one day to bite you,” she warned.

On July 21 rally

Banerjee reiterated her conviction to observe the Martyr’s Day rally on July 21 despite alleged non-cooperation from the authorities.

“The police are denying permission, saying that no rallies will be allowed in Kolkata’s central and north zones until August. What kind of statement is this? Is this the silencing of democracy? Or a blanket order by force. There is no Section 144, no communal unrest. Then why is this being done? Only to disrupt TMC events?” she said.

“Even if the programme has to be held standing on a rickshaw, we will do it. Subject to a response from the police on our permission request, we will inform our workers about the rally venue,” she added.