Abhishek Banerjee Challenges Rebel TMC Leaders Amid Internal Strife
In a bold move, Abhishek Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress has challenged rebel leaders to return to the party, stating he would resign if they do. This challenge comes amid growing internal strife as several MPs and MLAs have defected to the NCP and BJP. Banerjee accuses these leaders of making deals with the BJP and insists that their return would resolve the ongoing crisis. His statements highlight the tensions within the party as it navigates significant political challenges in West Bengal.
| Jul 18, 2026, 19:47 IST
TMC's Abhishek Banerjee Addresses Party Rebels
Abhishek Banerjee, a Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has issued a challenge to the party's dissenting leaders who have accused him of undermining the organization. He stated that he is willing to resign if they return under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. Discussing the ongoing rebellion within the party, Banerjee urged those who left TMC and are now making allegations against him to come back to Mamata Banerjee.
Banerjee remarked that those who departed from the party and are now criticizing him should accept his challenge to return to 'Didi'. He emphasized that if they do so, he would resign from his position within an hour. He accused the rebel leaders of not returning because they have made deals with the BJP, stating that they have agreed to leave the party, join the rebel faction or the BJP, and then level accusations against him.
He further asserted that if the rebellion is indeed due to him, he would step down within 24 hours if the rebel leaders rejoined Mamata Banerjee's party. Banerjee's comments come at a time when several rebel MLAs and MPs from TMC have left Mamata Banerjee's side to join the NCP and the rebel faction of TMC, blaming him for the ongoing crisis within the party.
Among those who have left or distanced themselves from TMC are Sukendu Shekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Barik. A significant faction of around 19 to 20 MPs, including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sharmila Sarkar, Prasun Banerjee, Jagdish Chandra Basunia, Arup Chakraborty, Kalipada Soren, Shatabdi Roy, Jun Maliya, Mala Roy, Yusuf Pathan, Rachna Banerjee, Bapi Halder, Mithali Bag, Khalikur Rahman, Abu Tahir Khan, Asit Mal, Dev Adhikari, and Partha Bhowmik, has joined the Tripura-based NCP and pledged support to the BJP.
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#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee says, "You have to say exactly what's written in BJP's script. Only then will you stay safe from the police. If you don't hurl a few insults at Abhishek Banerjee, the police won't spare you. You'll only remain safe if… pic.twitter.com/sKKBIFjgOf
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