Kolkata, July 16 -- With the Trinamool Congress grappling with an organisational crisis following its defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections and a series of defections by leaders, MLAs and MPs, party chief Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged those planning to leave the party to do so before the July 21 Martyrs' Day programme, while warning them against discrediting the organisation. She also reminded the rebels that the political situation could change, saying: "If Delhi begins to shake, the situation here will change as well."
In a video message, Banerjee alleged that several leaders were facing pressure from the BJP, police, courts and central agencies such as the ED and CBI. "If you believe you can survive only by bowing to such pressure, then leave before July 21. Go wherever you wish, even to the BJP. But do not tarnish the party that we built together," she said, adding that everyone had the constitutional right to make their own political choice.
She claimed the families of the July 21 martyrs were being contacted and persuaded to attend a rival programme by the Ribrata Banerjee-led faction, alleging that fear, money and agency pressure were being used to influence them. Maintaining that Trinamool had stood by these families for four decades, Banerjee said they would always remain close to the party regardless of their decision this year.
The Trinamool chief also alleged that people were being threatened against attending the July 21 rally and appealed to the administration to remain neutral. Claiming that some leaders who had left were still in touch with the party, she asserted that defections would not weaken the organisation. "If we could begin from scratch in 1997, we can certainly do so again in 2026," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.