Koel Mullick with Union minister and BJP leader Bhupender Yadav after resigning from Rajya Sabha
NEW DELHI: West Bengal leader of the opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, who heads the rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Thursday claimed more leaders could leave the party’s Mamata Banerjee-led group after MP Koel Mullick resigned from the Rajya Sabha.He alleged that “dictatorship, fascism and authoritarianism” within the TMC had eroded internal dialogue.”Before this, my three former colleagues–Buluda, Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, my friend Sushmita, and my younger brother Prakash–resigned. They went to the BJP; that is their political choice. Today, Koel Mallick also resigned,” Ritabrata Banerjee told ANI, referring to earlier exits from the TMC.”I feel many more people will follow because fascism and dictatorship believe in monologues, whereas dialogue is essential for democracy… Now, dialogue against this is becoming powerful, and this is the lesson of history–dialogue advances against monologue. What is happening is a logical corollary, and I think many others will join this rebellion,” the Uluberia Purba MLA added.Earlier in the day, Koel Mullick reportedly met Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and submitted her resignation.Before her exit, three prominent TMC Rajya Sabha MPs — Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik — had already defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP subsequently fielded all three in the bypolls to the Upper House triggered by their resignations. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee said the actor-turned-politician had informed the party leadership before stepping down from the Rajya Sabha, just months into her tenure.”I saw one MP. I respect her. She had informed earlier through email. Today she met a BJP leader. Those who are under pressure, please take whatsoever decision and go wherever you want to before July 21, Shaheed Diwas. Our constitution gives us the right to do what we want,” the TMC supremo said, referring to Mullick and Union minister and BJP leader Bhupender Yadav, respectively.”Those who are leaving us are also in touch with us,” she added.Mamata also urged the administration to remain “neutral” as her faction prepares for its July 21 ‘Shaheed Diwas’ rally, held in memory of the 13 Youth Congress workers killed in police firing during a protest under the Left Front government in 1993.”Our workers have been killed. They can’t protest. We will peacefully conduct the July 21 programme as per the court’s direction. I will ask the administration to stay neutral. Remember, if there are tremors in Delhi, then Bengal will also be impacted,” she stated.(With ANI inputs)
