Kolkata, 22 July(HS): Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday publicly expressed his displeasure with party supremo Mamata Banerjee following a disagreement over his speech at the party's July 21 Martyrs' Day rally, saying that the Chief Minister must understand the ground reality.

Speaking to the media a day after the rally, the Serampore MP said he was prepared to fight for Mamata Banerjee but added that she also needed to recognise the political realities. I love and respect Didi and I am ready to sacrifice everything for her. But if she thinks that whatever she says will automatically happen, it will not. And if she believes that whatever Abhishek and Derek say must be accepted, that will not work either, he said.

Banerjee claimed he began his speech at around 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday and later had an argument with Mamata Banerjee over the duration of his address. He alleged that someone had wrongly informed her that he had spoken for an hour, prompting her to repeatedly gesture at her watch. Hurt by the incident, he left the stage before Mamata Banerjee delivered her speech.

According to sources in the Kalighat Trinamool camp, Mamata Banerjee had instructed speakers to keep their speeches brief. However, Kalyan Banerjee reportedly spoke for around 22 minutes, forcing several MPs listed as speakers to be dropped from the programme. The issue allegedly led to the exchange between the two leaders.

Rejecting speculation about quitting the Trinamool Congress, Banerjee said he would continue to fight the BJP from within the party. Why should I leave the party? I will fight the BJP while remaining in the Trinamool. If necessary, I will raise my objections within the party itself, he said.

He also criticised Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, saying, Politics cannot be done by remaining confined to one's home or Kalighat. One has to go out among the people, face protests, abuse and even attacks. That is part of politics.

Recalling his long association with Mamata Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee said he had sacrificed his life, youth and professional career for her. The constant focus on Abhishek is becoming a problem, he remarked.

Despite his criticism, the MP reiterated his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, saying that the people of West Bengal still wanted her leadership and that he remained committed to fighting under her banner.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey