Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Jul 16: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked party leaders planning to leave the organisation to do so before the July 21 Martyrs' Day rally, asserting that defections would not weaken the party.

Addressing supporters through a Facebook Live session, hours after TMC Rajya Sabha MP Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as actor Koel Mallick, resigned from the Upper House and met Union minister Bhupender Yadav, Banerjee said the actor had informed the party leadership of her decision through an email before formally submitting her resignation.

"Today I saw that another MP, who is also a respected and talented film artist, met a BJP leader and resigned. I respect her as an artist. For everyone's information, she had already sent her resignation by email, and I thank her for personally submitting it today," Banerjee said.

She alleged that several party members were facing pressure from central agencies and law enforcement authorities and urged those unwilling to withstand such pressure to leave the party before the July 21 event.

"Those under pressure from the BJP and the police, or due to court cases, the ED, CBI, CID, local police officers, or the STF, I request that you make your decision before July 21. If you believe you can only survive by bowing to such pressure, please go wherever you wish, even if it means joining the BJP. But do not tarnish the party that we built together. You have every right to exercise those freedoms. But let me assure you, we will not be weakened because of it," she said.

Banerjee claimed that while some leaders had chosen to quit, many of them continued to remain in touch with the party leadership.

"Those who are leaving us are also in touch with us in secret," she claimed.

The latest resignation follows the exit of former TMC MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik, who joined the BJP and were subsequently fielded in Rajya Sabha by-elections.

The party has also suffered a major setback in the Lok Sabha after 20 rebel MPs, including senior leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, broke away from the TMC, merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), and extended support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Within West Bengal, the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction has stepped up its challenge by inducting senior leaders and staking claim to the Trinamool Congress' identity. Several prominent leaders, including Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas and Madan Mitra, have also distanced themselves from Banerjee's faction in recent weeks.

Banerjee further alleged that families of those killed during the July 21, 1993 police firing were being pressured not to attend the TMC's annual Martyrs' Day rally.

"They are being encouraged to support what I call the BJP-sponsored 'pillow' camp, where they will allegedly be rewarded with money and gifts," she said, referring to the rival Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction.

She said the martyrs' families had stood by the party for four decades and were now being targeted through intimidation and financial inducements.

"Remember that for 40 years you have stood with us. Times have changed temporarily. Fear is temporary. Terror is temporary. Money is temporary. Agency pressure is temporary. We do not misunderstand you -- we know you are under tremendous pressure. Whether you stand with us this year or not, you will always remain in our hearts," she said.

Appealing to the administration to remain impartial, Banerjee warned that the political situation could change rapidly.

"I appeal to the administration to remain neutral. Remember, life is long. If Delhi begins to shake, the situation here will change as well," she said.

Describing the upcoming Martyrs' Day rally as the beginning of a new phase for the party, Banerjee said the TMC was capable of rebuilding itself.

"If we could begin anew in 1997, we could certainly do so again in 2026. There have been many conspiracies, and some people say they will erase our name and symbol. Let them try. Stay healthy, stay safe, and protect yourselves," she said.

Banerjee also criticised the Centre over its response to education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 19 days demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

"Even after Sonam's prolonged hunger strike, no government official met him. What is wrong with talking? A person's life is at risk, yet you are unwilling to show even basic courtesy. He is sitting under the open sky during the monsoon, with thunder, lightning, and rain above, while the administration continues to intimidate him. This politics of fear and intimidation must end," she said.