No intention of changing sides, stand firmly with Mamata ji: Shatrughan Sinha
Senior Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha, whose name was reportedly cited by the rebel camp as one of its supporters, on Thursday dismissed the speculation
Senior Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha, whose name was reportedly cited by the rebel camp as one of its supporters, on Thursday dismissed the speculation and reaffirmed his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, saying she had stood by him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career. Sinha said Banerjee continued to enjoy strong public support, asserting that he had no intention of leaving the Trinamool. Read Full Story Rebel MPs had claimed that Sinha was among the 19 Trinamool MPs who had submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, pledging allegiance to the BJP-led NDA in Parliament.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sinha rejected the claim, saying he had neither signed any such letter nor been approached by anyone from the rebel camp regarding it. “I was with Mamata Banerjee, I am with Mamata Banerjee, and I will remain with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress,” he said, describing it as a “three-line whip” he had imposed on himself. He added, "Some people may consider me a rebel, but if speaking the truth is rebellion, then I am a rebel. However, my name should not be linked to this group.
I have not signed anything, nor has anyone approached me". The veteran leader affirmed that he would not abandon Mamata Banerjee, who had stood by him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career. "When I lost the 2019 election and was going through a difficult phase, Mamata Banerjee was the one who stood by me. She encouraged me, gave me an opportunity to contest from Asansol, and I won. In her difficult hour, I cannot abandon her," he told India Today. Specifically asked about Abhishek Banerjee and his leadership, an issue that several rebel leaders have raised objections to, Sinha said that "Mamata Banerjee is his only leader in the party" and that he recognises no one else in that role.
His remarks come at a time when the Trinamool Congress is witnessing a wave of defections by MPs and MLAs, pushing the party into one of the most serious internal crises in its history and bringing it to the brink of a vertical split. Ends
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