TMC's Abhishek Banerjee dares rebels to return, vows to resign

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee issued a strong challenge to former party leaders who have switched sides or joined rebel factions, daring them to return to the fold of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee declared he would resign from the party within an hour if they rejoined, asserting that their departure was motivated by fear of investigations by agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Several MPs and MLAs had previously alleged that Banerjee's leadership style was a primary reason for their exit from the TMC after the BJP came to power in West Bengal. Senior TMC leaders Anubrata Mondal and MLA Madan Mitra, who later joined a rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee, publicly expressed frustration over Mamata Banerjee not addressing their issues concerning Abhishek Banerjee. "Those who left the party and are now abusing or blaming me today… I challenge them to return to Didi (Mamata Banerjee). If they do, I will resign from the party within an hour... But they won’t. They have made a deal with the BJP: leave the party, join the rebel camp or the BJP, take protection from the ED, CBI and other agencies and then blame and abuse Abhishek Banerjee," Banerjee was quoted as saying by ANI.

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Those who left the party and are now abusing or blaming me today… I challenge them to return to Didi (Mamata Banerjee). If they do, I will resign from the party within an hour... But they won’t. They have made a deal with the BJP: leave the party, join the rebel camp or the BJP, take protection from the ED, CBI and other agencies and then blame and abuse Abhishek Banerjee.

Banerjee acknowledged that individuals have the right to choose their political path. However, he alleged that leaders who switch sides immediately after receiving ED summons do so out of fear. He shared his own experience, stating he has been summoned by the ED around 10 times and questioned by the CBI, STF, and state police. "I did not run away. I have been called around 10 times. The CBI, STF and state police have also summoned me. There are 20-30 FIRs against me. I myself do not know the exact number. I have approached the High Court seeking a list from the DGP of all the FIRs registered against me," he said in a video posted by PTI.

Addressing the recent demolition of the TMC's Amtala office, Banerjee alleged it was politically motivated and claimed the local administration colluded with the BJP. He announced that the TMC would challenge the action in the Calcutta High Court, asserting the office was legally constructed on privately purchased land with all necessary approvals. He dismissed allegations that the office was used for booth-capturing conspiracies, stating no such claims were substantiated during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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I did not run away. I have been called around 10 times. The CBI, STF and state police have also summoned me. There are 20-30 FIRs against me. I myself do not know the exact number. I have approached the High Court seeking a list from the DGP of all the FIRs registered against me.