Mamata Banerjee tells rebel TMC MLAs to join BJP if they have the courage

Kolkata: Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, while slamming BJP for conspiring to break her party, said she does not care even "if the symbol is taken away" from her and alleged that attempts were being made to intimidate loyal party workers and leaders. "My voice cannot be throttled and I will continue to fight," she said.

Banerjee also slammed the dissident MLAs and said, "If you have courage, go and join BJP. You are already with BJP and conspiring against us. Do you think I have died?" Banerjee made the remarks after Trinamool's newly appointed state president, Chandrima Bhattacharya, resigned from all her party posts, including as the signatory to party's bank accounts and as its representative before ECI.

Also Read:TMC Bengal chief Chandrima Bhattacharya quits all party posts


The development assumes significance as the ECI has sought claims and counterclaims from both Trinamool factions and asked them to submit their responses by July 6. Bhattacharya said Banerjee had questioned her loyalty during a phone call on Friday, alleging that she had "handed over the Trinamool Bhawan to the rebel group".

On Friday evening, the rebel faction took control of the Trinamool Bhawan office in Topsia, held meetings there and locked the premises. Bhattacharya was reportedly present in her room in the building at the time.

Meanwhile, Banerjee announced that she would assume the responsibilities of state president while continuing as party chairperson. She appointed MLAs Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as state secretaries.