'Those Who Want to Leave, Please Do': Mamata Banerjee's Defiant Message to TMC Rebels (Watch)

Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee issued a defiant message on Wednesday following high-profile desertions from her party. Banerjee asserted her resolve to completely rebuild the political outfit, dismissing the impact of an ongoing internal rebellion and alleging that central investigative agencies are being used to intimidate her lawmakers.

The statement follows a fresh wave of political turmoil within the TMC, which has seen several elected representatives switch allegiances to a breakaway rebel faction. Addressing the public and party workers, Banerjee made it clear that she would not compromise her political stance to prevent further defections. Mamata Banerjee Defends Abhishek Banerjee, Says TMC Rebels Are Using Him as an 'Excuse' (Watch Video).

Commenting directly on the pressure facing her remaining parliamentary and legislative blocks, Banerjee stated: "...Today we have 18 MPs. Yes, some are being threatening. Even today one man left. He told me yesterday that his family is being threatened. I will say - those who wants to leave, please do. If I can restart (the party) in 2006, I can do it in 2026."

The remarks come amid severe political headwinds for the TMC following the May 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The election resulted in a historic victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ending the TMC's 15-year administration in the state and elevating Suvendu Adhikari to the Chief Minister's office.

Since the loss, an internal rift has widened significantly within the TMC. A substantial rebel faction, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, has challenged the central party leadership and claimed a parallel structure. The latest blow to the loyalist camp came when veteran leader and MLA Madan Mitra switched sides to join the rebels, citing structural grievances regarding the influence of National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. 'The Party Is Sinking': Madan Mitra Quits TMC, Joins Rebel Camp After Attack on Abhishek Banerjee.

'If I Could Rebuild TMC in 2006, I Can Do It Again in 2026'

Banerjee argued that recent high-profile exits are driven by fear rather than genuine ideological disagreements. She pointed out that Mitra's family had recently been issued summonses by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). According to Banerjee, the legislator confessed that intense pressure on his family forced his hand.

Senior TMC loyalist Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay echoed these concerns, stating that while the departures are deeply unfortunate, lawmakers are cracking under heavy mental strain brought on by sudden federal investigations.

Banerjee’s reference to 2006 invokes one of the toughest chapters in the Trinamool Congress’s history. In the 2006 state assembly elections, the party was thoroughly routed by the Left Front, leaving it with minimal legislative presence and triggering widespread predictions of its political demise.

Banerjee subsequently used grassroots movements to completely revive the party's fortunes, eventually sweeping to power in 2011. By drawing a parallel to 2006, the veteran leader aims to reassure her remaining support base that the party possesses the resilience to mount a similar organizational comeback from its current position in 2026.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 08:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).