Mamata Banerjee Fires Back As Madan Mitra Switches To Rebel TMC Faction: 'Using Abhishek As An Excuse'

Published 15 July 2026 · politics

Mamata Banerjee Fires Back As Madan Mitra Switches To Rebel TMC Faction: 'Using Abhishek As An Excuse' Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 18:24

Mamata Banerjee Fires Back As Madan Mitra Switches To Rebel TMC Faction: 'Using Abhishek As An Excuse' Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 18:24 IST Madan Mitra resigned from the Mamata Banerjee-led party and joined the rebel faction headed by Ritabrata Banerjee criticising Abhishek Banerjee for the exit. Mamata Bnaerjee Breaks Silence As Madan Mitra Joins Ritabrata TMC Camp Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday reacted strongly to the resignation of senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra from the TMC Kalighat-faction, saying those leaving the party by citing national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee were merely making excuses. Her remarks came hours after Mitra quit the ruling party and joined the rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, marking another setback for the Trinamool Congress amid signs of growing internal dissent. Addressing the issue, Mamata Banerjee defended Abhishek Banerjee and dismissed the criticism levelled against him by departing leaders. ‘Abhishek is still fighting,’ says Mamata Reacting to Mitra’s exit, Mamata Banerjee said, “Those who are using Abhishek as an excuse to leave the party are only making excuses. Abhishek is still fighting and continues to stand by the people. There is no point in hiding behind such excuses." She also recalled the time when central agencies questioned Abhishek Banerjee’s family. “When the ED and the CBI summoned Abhishek’s wife, she went to the CBI office with their one-and-a-half-year-old child. They did not back down out of fear at that time," she said.

The Chief Minister added that she had nurtured several generations of leaders and would continue to do so. “I have built three generations of leadership on this issue, and I will continue to build future generations. He still has the ability to stand firm and fight," she said. Referring to TMC Shahid Diwas programme, Mamata said that permission had been granted by the court to hold a gathering in front of Birla Planetarium on the 21st. She said people had been asked to assemble from 11 am and the meeting would continue until 3 pm. She also sent a message to leaders leaving the party. “Those who have left because they are afraid of the central agencies are free to do so. It will make no difference to the party. The party will continue to function as it has been," she said. Madan Mitra attacks party leadership Earlier in the day, Madan Mitra resigned from the Mamata Banerjee-led party and joined the rebel faction headed by Ritabrata Banerjee. After joining the camp, Mitra attempted to play down the move, saying he had “only changed room in the Assembly." He criticised the party leadership, alleging that the organisation had become centred around Abhishek Banerjee. “I had suggested to Abhishek Banerjee that he step aside for six months or a year. I told him, let us build the party, and then you can come back and take your seat, but he refused.