Kolkata, 04 July (H.S.): Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on dissident leaders amid growing political turmoil within the party, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to engineer a split in the TMC. She challenged the rebels to join the BJP openly instead of, as she alleged, working from behind the scenes.

In a video message released on social media, Banerjee said certain leaders were trying to destabilise the party with BJP's backing. I challenge those traitors and ungrateful people, if they have the courage, they should join the BJP directly and fight me politically. Stop playing this BJP-sponsored game, she said.

Announcing a significant organisational reshuffle, Banerjee said she would personally take charge as the president of the Trinamool Congress' West Bengal unit in addition to continuing as the party's national chairperson until senior leader Subrata Bakshi recovers and resumes his responsibilities.

She also appointed Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as General Secretaries of the Trinamool Congress as part of the organisational restructuring aimed at strengthening the party.

Targeting the dissident leaders, Banerjee questioned why they had remained silent for the past 15 years when they were serving as MPs, MLAs, ministers and office-bearers on the party's ticket. She said none of them had raised their objections while enjoying positions of power within the party.

Banerjee asserted that loyal party workers remain the TMC's greatest strength during challenging times and urged leaders leaving the party not to betray the trust of the people who had elected them.

Her remarks come amid heightened political activity following the resignation of Chandrima Bhattacharya from all organisational posts in the Trinamool Congress, triggering speculation over internal developments within the ruling party.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh