Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that senior Trinamool Congress leader Chandrima Bhattacharya’s resignation was not a sudden decision but one that had been in the works for a long time. Addressing party workers, Banerjee alleged that Bhattacharya had been preparing to leave the party after her son had already aligned himself with the BJP. She also announced that, with Subrata Bakshi unwell, she would personally take over the responsibilities of the Trinamool Congress state president.
Launching a scathing attack on rebel leaders, Mamata Banerjee said Chandrima Bhattacharya's departure was expected and would not weaken the Trinamool Congress. "The person who resigned today, Chandrima Bhattacharya, did not take this decision overnight. She had been planning to leave for a long time because her son had already joined that party. So be it. A political party does not depend on one or two individuals. It depends on its workers and the people," Banerjee said.
The Trinamool Congress chief also accused several former party leaders of betraying the organisation after winning elections on the party's symbol.
"Those who won on the Trinamool Congress symbol signed by me are now claiming the party has had no existence since 2023. If that is true, how did they contest the 2026 elections on our symbol? The Election Commission approved their candidature only after my signature," she said.
Calling the defectors "traitors", Banerjee challenged them to formally join the BJP instead of continuing what she described as covert political alignment."There should be a limit to betrayal. You have betrayed the very party that gave you your political birth. If you have the courage, go and join the BJP openly. What do you think? That I am dead?" she remarked.
Referring to the ongoing dispute over the Trinamool Bhavan, Banerjee rejected claims that rent had not been paid and asserted that the property belonged to the organisation rather than any individual."The lease was valid until October 2027. We have all the documents and pay ₹1 lakh every month in rent. You may occupy a building with the help of central forces, but you cannot occupy the hearts of the people," she said.
She further accused the administration of misusing the police for political purposes."We were in power for 15 years, but we never used the police in this manner. Today, Inspectors-in-Charge and Officers-in-Charge are being made to perform the work of block presidents," Banerjee alleged.
Banerjee also said she did not blame those who had left the party, acknowledging that they had families and personal responsibilities, while asserting that the Trinamool Congress family remained her own.
