Mamata Banerjee labels departing TMC members 'traitors' after key aide resigns

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday called party members who have left the party 'traitors', asserting that she will continue to lead the party and that she prioritises party workers over such leaders.

Speaking via Facebook Live, Banerjee said, 'I don't care. I ignore them all who are gone. To me workers are important than leaders. They are traitors. I ask such traitors if you have guts, go join the BJP. Do you think I am dead? TMC workers are dead? Those who left had a lot of baggage and properties to save. We have TMC family to save.'

Banerjee's remarks came hours after her close aide and former minister Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned from all party posts, barely a month after she was appointed the Bengal unit chief following the party's poor performance in the recent Assembly elections.

In her resignation letter addressed to Banerjee, Bhattacharya stated, 'I hereby tender my resignation from the post of state president of All India Trinamool Congress, which had been conferred on me in the meeting at Kalighat on 03.06.2026. I also hereby resign from all other posts which I hold at present. Please note that I withdraw myself as the authorised signatory of All India Trinamool Congress and all other related organisations in respect of the accounts maintained in various banks. I also withdraw myself from being your authorised person before the Election Commission of India.'

After her resignation, Bhattacharya went to the state Assembly premises and joined a meeting with other TMC rebels, including Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, Firhad Hakim, and Sandipan Saha, indicating she may switch to their camp.

According to party sources, Bhattacharya was at the party headquarters on Friday evening and left shortly after rebel MLAs entered the office to take control. The rebels changed the locks and hung a banner declaring Arup Roy as TMC chairman instead of Banerjee. Sources said Banerjee was upset with Bhattacharya over her lack of resistance.

On Thursday, the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee met the Election Commission in Delhi to stake claim over the party, calling themselves the 'real Trinamool'.

Responding to the rebels, Banerjee said, 'They are trying to get the party symbol. They will never get it. Remember, you contested polls on a symbol which was signed by me. You contested on behalf of a party founded by me. Even if EC, which works for BJP, gives them the symbol, we will fight. People are with us.'

Referring to Bhattacharya's resignation, Banerjee said, 'She told me a few days back she will resign. Before that her son joined hands with them. I don't care.' She added, 'It has just been two months since our poll defeat. So little patience you have. You were MLAs and ministers for 15 years. You are rebels now. Why were you not rebels before the polls?'

Banerjee announced that she will oversee the Bengal party unit herself, and appointed Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as state general secretaries. She said, 'I am the party chairperson, I will also look after the state.'

Regarding the rebels' takeover of the party headquarters, Banerjee said, 'We paid the rent for the building, which was Rs 1 lakh per month. Some people are saying they signed on the agreement – but that person was asked by the party to sign it. We have it on rent till October 2027. But they came and locked it.' She declared that her home at 30 B Harish Chatterjee Street will now serve as the TMC headquarters.

Banerjee also criticised the state government led by Suvendu Adhikari, alleging that false cases were being filed against TMC leaders and workers.