Kolkata, 21 July (H.S.) : The political rift within the Trinamool Congress widened further on Tuesday as Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra publicly challenged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a separate Martyrs' Day commemoration programme.

Addressing the gathering, Mitra said that while Abhishek Banerjee had given Mamata Banerjee one hour to take a decision, he was giving her one month to return to what he described as the real Trinamool.

Mamata, we are giving you one month. Leave Abhishek's hand and join the real Trinamool, Mitra said from the stage, in one of his sharpest public remarks against the party leadership.

At the same time, he credited Mamata Banerjee for building the Trinamool Congress into a major political force, but questioned the circumstances that, according to him, had led to the party being divided into three factions.

Appealing to supporters to maintain peace, Mitra urged them not to resort to violence or abusive language. Addressing the Chief Minister directly, he said, We are laying down our scarves in welcome. Please come to us on foot. Just say that you made a mistake and that, like Gandhari, you had become blind in your affection for your son.

Earlier, senior Trinamool leader Anubrata Mondal also addressed the gathering and urged party workers and leaders to remain united and continue supporting the Trinamool Congress.

The programme was held near the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road, where several leaders associated with the Ritabrata faction, including Chandrima Bhattacharya, Aroop Biswas and Shiuli Saha, were present.

The statements made during the event have further intensified speculation over the growing internal divisions within the Trinamool Congress ahead of the state's upcoming political battles.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh