Rebel Trinamool faction is BJP’s B-team to keep Suvenda in power: Mamata

Former West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee addresses a Martyrs’ Day rally organized by her faction in Kolkata, West Bengal on July 21, 2026. Photo credit: PTI

Trinamool Congress (TMC) president and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) termed the rebel outfit as the “B-Team of the BJP”, created to keep CM Suvenda Adhikari in power.

At the annual Martrys Day rally in Kolkata, Ms Banerjee said the defection from the Trinamool Congress was designed to ensure Suvendu Adhikari remained in power. She described the rebel TMC MPs as a “billboard of the BJP”.

At least 65 out of 80 Trinamool Congress MLAs sided with the Trinamool Congress rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The BJP has the support of 208 out of 294 MLAs in the State Assembly

The TMC’s Ritabrata Banerjee camp organized a rally on the city’s Mayo Road on the occasion of Martys’ Day and attacked Ms Banerjee. They claimed that she favored Abhishek Banerjee over others during her tenure.

Ms. Banerjee countered that the leaders who betrayed her had left but the common people and workers had not left her party and that she would rebuild the party through the workers.

“Those who chose to quit because of pressure from the ED, CBI or CID made their own decisions. I have no bitterness towards them, but I believe our movement must continue with people who remain committed despite adversity. Politics is fueled by public conviction and trust, not fear or personal convenience,” Ms Banerjee said from the podium as the crowd cheered.

She also added that one day all the masks will come off and that she will never reconcile with the “traitors” who betrayed her after the elections.

In the past few days, many of Ms. Banerjee’s close confidants, including Madan Mitra and Firhad Hakim, have left to join the rebel faction and have been vocal in their public praise of Mr. Adhikari.

The Martyrs’ Day rally was Ms Banerjee’s crown jewel during her tenure as chief minister, with the annual political muscle stretching the event as thousands gathered around her. However, this year the crowd was divided between Ms. Banerjee and the rebel Trinamool meetings, but the rebels failed to garner much attention even as the Trinamool chairman’s rally drew thousands.

At the Mayo Road rally, rebel leaders questioned Ms. Banerjee about her lack of transparency on the Martyrs’ Day Commission of Inquiry report. They questioned why she did not take action against the alleged perpetrators and even favored some.

Mr. Ritabrata Banerjee also alleged that the martyrs themselves and their families were sidelined during the Martyrs’ Day event where Mamata Banerjee led the annual rally. He also alleged that the sacrifice of martyrs was milked by the former CM for the party’s gain.

Mr. Mitra argued that without her actions, the Trinamool would not have transformed into what it is today. “Mamata Banerjee, we are telling you, come to our side, we promise you that no one will attack you, but you have to say it out loud that you have made a mistake and become politically blind in love for your family,” Mr. Mitra added.

Launching further attacks on the rebel Trinamool faction, general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the rebel Martyrs’ Day factions have failed to garner support as the party’s roots still lie with Mamata Banerjee.

“When a JCB digs up soil in a village, more people are present than there are. Is this called ‘real Trinamool’? Where are their workers?” said Mr. Abhishek Banerjee.

Published – 22 Jul 2026 13:09 IST