TMC vs TMC intensifies: Mamata camp brands rebel MPs 'traitors'; Kakoli Ghosh says 'jhukega nahi'

NEW DELHI: With Trinamool Congress staring at its biggest possible rupture, party MP Kalyan Banerjee came out all guns blazing against the rebel camp led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. Calling the dissidents "desperate", he accused them of betraying party boss Mamata Banerjee and alleged that BJP was targeting to weaken Didi's party.Addressing a presser, Kalyan Banerjee asserted that the rebel camp lacks the numbers needed to comfortably overcome the provisions of the anti-defection law. He further branded the dissidents as "gaddar" and accused them of being "desperate for power."In a pointed attack on the BJP, Kalyan Banerjee declared, "You (BJP) have the CM, ED, CBI and other powers, but I have 'Maa, Maati, Maanush', my party, my party workers, and the people of West Bengal."Along with Kalyan Banerjee, sharing the stage with him, fellow TMC MP Kirti Azad launched an equally forceful attack, questioning the political morality of the dissidents and daring them to test their strength outside the Trinamool Congress fold.He said, "Through the Trinamool Congress, the party of Maa, Mati, Manush, with Didi's blessings and the support and guidance of Abhishek, all 29 of our MPs were elected. I want to ask these 'traitors'... if you were facing problems and grievances, why did you express them only after the election? You should have raised those concerns before the election. After the polls, numerous allegations were made. Subhendu Shekhar made allegations and then resigned. Whether those allegations were right or wrong is a separate matter. But at least he demonstrated a sense of political ethics. He resigned from the party he belonged to, gave up the Rajya Sabha membership he held under that party's symbol, and stepped down."Azad then challenged the rebels to quit the party and seek a fresh mandate from the people."If you also have political ethics, then resign as well and contest elections on a BJP ticket. If you have even a little self-respect, morality, and propriety, then stand up and openly declare that you are no longer with the Trinamool Congress," he added.The cricketer-turned-politician also vowed that the party would stand firmly behind its cadre if they came under attack in constituencies represented by the rebel MPs."And if Trinamool workers are attacked in your constituency, then under Kalyan (Banerjee) Da's leadership, we will go there and stand with them, because we do not betray our own people," TMC MP said.Azad also said by attributing the party's electoral setback not to internal weaknesses alone, but to a broader political coalition that had united against the TMC."And at a time like this, when we were made to lose, let me be clear... we did not lose in Bengal on our own. We were defeated through a collective effort by everyone coming together against us," he said.The fiery press conference by Mamata loyalists Kalyan Banerjee and Kirti Azad came as the Trinamool Congress continues to grapple with an escalating internal crisis. The party, which has ruled Bengal for 15 years with a firm grip, is now confronting one of the biggest crises in its history after a bruising defeat at the polls.The TMC appears to be heading towards its deepest and most damaging split since its founding in 1998 by Mamata Banerjee, raising questions about the party's unity and future political course.The presser also came after rebel TMC leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar delivered a defiant response to the party leadership."Mera sar katega lekin jhukega nahi... Maine bohot seh liya... I did not come here after Mamata Banerjee became chief minister in 2011; I have been fighting here for 40 years. And as I said, the words of such people have absolutely no effect on me."She also sought to frame the rebellion as a larger cause beyond party politics."We will find out what happens later. For now, isn't it enough that we want to work for Bengal, for the country, and to keep India secure? This is a crucial issue. The issue of the nation is paramount to us."The exchange marks the latest escalation in the growing rift within the Trinamool Congress, with both camps hardening their positions amid an intensifying political battle.