Abhishek Banerjee’s big statement on rebel TMC leaders, ‘Those who join other parties should have their membership cancelled’

Kolkata: The alleged rift in Trinamool Congress and the issue of rebel MPs has created a new controversy in the politics of West Bengal. Senior party leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding this matter and raised the demand for action against the rebel MPs. TMC alleges that MPs who claim to have left the party or formed a separate faction have betrayed the people’s mandate and should not have the right to retain membership of Parliament.

Leaders submitted memorandum to the speaker

Apart from Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC delegation that reached Delhi to meet the Lok Sabha Speaker included prominent leaders like Saugata Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra. The leaders submitted a memorandum to the Speaker demanding termination of membership of those MPs who have allegedly claimed to separate from the party and form a new political faction.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, Abhishek Banerjee said that the party had sent a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker in this regard on June 14. On the basis of that letter he was called for discussion. He told that TMC had earlier also informed the President on this issue and now the party has formally placed its objections before him.

Abhishek Banerjee claimed that 20 TMC MPs had met the Speaker a few days ago and demanded recognition as a separate group. According to him, later some of these MPs also claimed to merge with some other political organization. He said that the party has filed separate disqualification petitions against all these MPs and action should be taken against their membership under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.

He said that if the rebel MPs are really confident about their decision, then on moral grounds they should first resign from the post of Member of Parliament and then go among the public and get a new mandate. According to him, taking a different path after achieving victory in the name of the party’s election symbol and organization is playing with the public trust.

Abhishek Banerjee’s attack on rebel MPs

Launching a scathing attack on the rebel MPs, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that they have compromised their political principles and moral values. He said that the people of West Bengal will not accept such leaders who have broken the expectations of their voters.

Along with this, he claimed that some MPs are taking such steps to avoid investigation by various agencies or to get other political benefits. However, he said that they have enough evidence to support these allegations and if needed, they can present them in the court. This entire incident has once again brought into limelight the growing political tension within TMC and the debate about defection.