India, July 5 -- Amid an ongoing internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), party supremo Mamata Banerjee has officially taken over as the president of the party's West Bengal unit. The move comes after senior leader Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned from all party posts just weeks after being appointed as the state president, following a series of defections and internal disagreements.

Addressing party workers, Banerjee strongly criticised the rebel faction and accused them of acting in the interest of the BJP. She challenged the dissident leaders to openly join the BJP instead of creating unrest within the party. Stressing the need for unity, Banerjee said the TMC would continue to fight together despite recent political setbac...