Kalyan Banerjee Challenges TMC Rebels After BJP Defections

Kalyan Banerjee, a staunch ally of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has issued a stern challenge to the rebel members of his party who have defected to the BJP. He referenced Schedule 10 of the Constitution, emphasizing that a faction splitting from a political party can only merge with another party if at least two-thirds of its members agree. “If they want to split, they have no choice but to merge with the BJP,” he stated.

Banerjee did not hold back in questioning how these rebel MPs will face their constituents after aligning with the BJP. “I want to see how these MPs, now part of the BJP, will return to their constituencies and confront the party workers who worked tirelessly for their election. These workers are now suffering at the hands of BJP thugs. What excuse will they make for joining the party that is attacking them?” he pressed.

Accusing the BJP's central leadership of orchestrating the TMC's internal discord, Banerjee pointed out the absurdity of BJP ministers meeting with TMC rebels in Delhi without having been assigned any portfolios a month after taking office. He urged rebel MP Dastidar to follow the example of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and resign from her parliamentary position, asserting, “But she and her supporters won’t do that because they crave power and its perks. We welcome their departure; it reveals their true character.”

Banerjee also highlighted the loyalty shift of those who have aligned with BJP leaders, declaring, “The individuals who visited Bhupender Yadav are now under Narendra Modi's banner. They have officially become the BJP.” When asked about the future of the TMC, he affirmed the party's resolve to continue its fight in West Bengal, stating, “We have previously battled against the Chief Minister, and now we will take on the BJP under Mamata Banerjee's leadership.”