West Bengal opposition leader and expelled MP Ritabrata Banerjee said on Friday that he was confident that support for the rebel faction in the TMC would continue to increase. His comments come at a time when the Trinamool Congress appears to be facing one of its biggest crises in recent years.
Banerjee asserted that despite having the support of a majority of TMC MlA members, he did not speak to any MP in the last week and expressed confidence in the growing number of supporters.
“I will say only one thing – our numbers will continue to increase. I am absolutely confident. There is no doubt (numbers) will decrease. Let us wait and watch. As for the number of MPs, the numbers will continue to increase… Last week, I did not speak to any MP,” news agency ANI quoted the minister as saying.
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He also said that he had not spoken to any parliamentarian in the past seven days and therefore did not know what they would do.
“I have not spoken to any parliamentarian for the past seven days. So I cannot say what parliamentarians will do. But I live in the present. No one can say what will happen tomorrow. Be patient. A lot can happen.”
Banerjee also appealed to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to take action against BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal, who was defeated from Entally AC, for protesting in front of the house of rebel TMC MLA Sandipan Saha.
“Priyanka Tibrewal, defeated BJP candidate from Intali AC, protested in front of Sandipan Saha’s house. This is shameful. We have filed a case against this incident at New Market PS. We appeal to CM Suvendu Adhikari to never support this kind of actions and take action against him,” he said.
He was addressing a meeting outside Saha’s residence, where he questioned the intent behind the protest, alleging that BJP workers had fomented agitation, according to ANI.
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He also questioned Tibrewal’s presence, saying: “If there was public outrage, was she also part of the crowd? What was she doing there? Sandeepan Saha’s house does not fall under Entali constituency, but Chowringhi constituency. By bringing people from outside, they (BJP) did this.”
Ritabrata Banerjee, who was expelled by the party on Monday for “anti-party activities” along with Sandipan Saha, has emerged as a central figure in the ongoing Trinamool infighting.
the The expelled military junta leader was appointed leader of the opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly after receiving the support of 58 out of 80 MLAs elected in the recently held elections.
After his appointment as LoP, Banerjee urged TMC supremo to be party’s chief advisor.
“We, the main opposition, urge Mamata Banerjee to be our chief advisor. Abhishek Banerjee has no connection with the state assembly,” Ritabrata Banerjee said.
