NEW DELHI: TMC leader Babul Supriyo on Thursday said that he will continue to back Mamata Banerjee amid the ongoing exodus in the party.In a video shared in a social media post on X, Supriyo refuted speculations over him joining the rebel camp and said that it is “inappropriate to abondon a ship when it is in troubled waters.””Amidst all this confusion and rumors, I just wish to make it amply clear that I’m neither joining any faction nor any other party. I think it’s inappropriate to abandon a ship when it is in troubled waters,” he said. Earlier in the day, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha also affirmed his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, saying he could not abandon her during a difficult phase after she stood by him when he faced political setbacks.”When I was going through a difficult phase after losing the Patna election in 2019, very few people stood by me. Mamata Banerjee was among the few who supported and encouraged me,” Shatrughan Sinha said.”She believed I should continue in public life without any gap in my parliamentary journey, and it was on her direction that I contested from Asansol. By God’s grace, and with the support of Mamata ji and the people of Asansol, I achieved victory. For the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation about me. Some people are speaking the truth, while others are spreading rumours,” he added. Sinha further said that he is “grateful” to those who invited him to the rebel camp. He, however, added that his principled stand is to stand with Mamata.””Some have claimed that I have joined the so-called rebel group. Yes, by nature I have always been outspoken. I often say that if speaking the truth is considered rebellion, then I am also a rebel. I have always spoken frankly and called a spade a spade. But I want to state clearly that Mamata ji stood by me during my difficult times, and today, in her difficult phase, I cannot abandon her,” he said.”I was elected on the Trinamool Congress symbol – the ‘Jora Phool’ – not once but twice, with the blessings of God. Therefore, it is my duty and responsibility to stand with Mamata ji and the Trinamool Congress…my principle is very clear: when Mamata ji stood by me in my difficult times, it is now my duty to stand by her in this moment as well,” Sinha added.TMC is facing a crisis following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly polls and a rebellion that has significantly weakened its organisational and legislative strength. Last week, more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs — 58 out of 80 — broke away from the official TMC legislature party and secured recognition as the principal opposition bloc in the West Bengal Assembly under expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. The rebel camp has since claimed that its strength has risen further.The crisis later spread to Parliament, with rebel MPs led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar claiming the support of more than 20 Lok Sabha members.
