Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Jun 1: Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to weaken her party from within by allegedly using state agencies and political pressure tactics following the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Addressing supporters through a live social media broadcast, Banerjee claimed that several TMC legislators had received calls from police officials warning them against participating in party-related activities and threatening legal action under various criminal provisions.

According to her allegations, some legislators were subsequently approached by individuals associated with BJP offices and encouraged to undermine the Trinamool Congress from within.

Banerjee's remarks came shortly after the TMC announced the expulsion of two legislators — Sandipan Saha from the Entally Assembly constituency and Ritabrata Banerjee from Uluberia Purba in Howrah district — over allegations of anti-party activities.

While she did not directly mention the expelled legislators by name during her address, Banerjee said individuals lacking political ethics and loyalty had no place within the party. She asserted that the organisation would emerge stronger despite attempts to destabilise it.

“The earlier such people leave the party, the better. We will rebuild the organisation and ensure that those who try to damage it from within do not return,” she said.

The TMC chief also alleged that her party was facing discriminatory treatment in obtaining permissions for public meetings and organisational programmes. She claimed that while permissions were being denied to the Trinamool Congress, they were being granted to other opposition parties that she described as being friendly towards the BJP.

According to Banerjee, these actions were part of a broader effort to weaken the ruling party's organisational structure. However, she maintained that such attempts would ultimately strengthen the Trinamool Congress rather than divide it.

During the same address, Banerjee also strongly criticised the BJP and state authorities over the recent attack on her nephew and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas district.

Condemning the incident, she alleged that the individual who intervened to protect Abhishek Banerjee during the attack had subsequently been arrested. She further claimed that the attack could have had serious consequences had timely assistance not been available.

Banerjee accused BJP leaders of making insensitive remarks following the incident and said public opinion was increasingly turning against such actions.

The BJP has not immediately responded to the allegations made by the Chief Minister. The developments add to the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal following the recent Assembly elections and the subsequent reshaping of the state's political landscape.