India, June 10 -- Amid a widening rebellion within the Trinamool Congress, party leader and Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra insisted that the mood in the party remains upbeat, describing the ongoing exodus as a "cleansing" process. She said party supremo Mamata Banerjee values loyalty and that those who are fundamentally opposed to the BJP would never abandon her or the TMC.

"In some ways, we're actually happy because the shuddhi karan, the cleansing, is happening. Mamata Di, for all her instincts, for all her leadership, is a deeply emotional person with a great deal of affection and long-lasting loyalties," Moitra said in an exclusive interview with HT.

Mahua also said the episode had served as a lesson for the party, suggesting that Banerj...