I stands with Mamata Banerjee., won’t leave in her difficult time :Shatrughan Sinha
NEW DELHI: TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha has publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to party chief Mamata Banerjee, distancing himself from speculation that he had joined the rebel camp. The Asansol MP said he remains indebted to Banerjee for backing him during a during a difficult phase in his political career and insisted that standing with her now is both a personal and political obligation.
First, praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a pledge of loyalty to Mamata Banerjee. Veteran actor and Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha dismissed reports on Thursday that he was joining a “rebel” faction. Speculation had been fueled by a post on X—in which he congratulated PM Modi for becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister—amidst rumors that he was among the signatories of a letter submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker by a “rebel” group within the Trinamool. Meanwhile, Kalyan Banerjee—recently appointed the party’s Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha—has compounded Mamata Banerjee’s troubles by demanding the removal of Abhishek Banerjee from the party.
The MP posted on X, “With the spirit of a true sportsperson, I extend my best wishes to our friend and guide in society and the nation, the Hon’ble PM, on completing 12 years in office—likely the longest tenure to date. Wishing you a long, healthy, and prosperous life ahead. Jai Hind!” Interestingly, he also tagged Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in the post. As speculation regarding his next move intensified, the actor-turned-politician clarified that he would never part ways with Mamata Banerjee.
Dismissing the reports, he categorically denied joining the rebel faction led by MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. The Asansol MP clarified, “A lot is being said about me. Some people claim I am part of a rebel faction. None of this is true.” He emphasized that he would never abandon Mamata Banerjee. “Mamata Banerjee stood by me during bad times; I will stand by her during difficult times.” Noting that he had contested the Lok Sabha election from Asansol at the behest of the Trinamool chief, Sinha stated that he would “never abandon Didi.” Shatrughan Sinha began his political career with the BJP. After spending decades as a prominent BJP leader and former Union Minister, he left the party due to “growing ideological differences.” He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Patna Sahib on a Congress ticket but lost. In 2022, he joined Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and successfully won the Asansol Lok Sabha by-election. He retained the Asansol seat as a TMC candidate in 2024.
Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee has added to Mamata Banerjee’s troubles. Displaying a rebellious stance, he declared that either he or Abhishek Banerjee would remain in the TMC. The difficulties facing Mamata Banerjee and her party show no signs of abating; several Rajya Sabha MPs have resigned, and 20 Lok Sabha MPs have turned against the leadership. Now, Kalyan Banerjee—a close associate of Mamata—has also shown signs of rebellion. Having previously spoken in support of Mamata, he has now made a major declaration: he stands with Mamata Banerjee, but if Abhishek Banerjee remains in the TMC, he will not be part of the party. He stated that Mamata Didi must decide; if she cannot run the party without Abhishek Banerjee, then he will not stay. He described Abhishek as an arrogant man, noting that his arrogant attitude makes it difficult for him to work within the party. Former TMC leader Riju Dutta has supported Kalyan Banerjee’s statement, noting that many others are echoing the same sentiments.
