Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed readiness to rebuild her political influence in West Bengal and the nation, despite internal party divisions. The Trinamool Congress, which she founded, is now split into three factions, with her and her nephew leading the original but minority faction.
On the other hand, a rebel faction under expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee has gained majority control in both the Trinamool Congress legislative party in the West Bengal assembly and the party’s new national working committee. This faction has replaced Mamata Banerjee with veteran party legislator Arup Roy as the national chairperson.
Amid these developments, two Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha members have recently defected to the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) in Tripura. In response, Mamata Banerjee, in a Facebook Live message, pledged to start afresh, akin to when she founded the Trinamool Congress in 1998 after leaving the Congress.
She acknowledged the voters who supported the Trinamool Congress in the recent West Bengal assembly election and apologized on behalf of the party’s internal dissenters. Banerjee emphasized her past struggles, noting that despite starting alone in 1997, the party now boasts 28 MPs and numerous MLAs, instilling confidence for a fresh start in 2026.
Addressing allegations of favoritism towards her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, Banerjee dismissed claims by deserters, attributing their departure to either greed or fear. She affirmed Abhishek’s dedication to the party, stating his commitment to the cause for the foreseeable future.
