Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Abhishek Banerjee Rules Out TMC Return for ‘Traitors’
Abhishek Banerjee said people who left the Trinamool Congress for rival groups should not be allowed to return.
He called some of them “traitors” and said they left when the party was facing difficult times.
He also said Mamata Banerjee would make the final decision.
His comments came after notices were sent to 20 rebel lawmakers.
Those lawmakers must respond to a petition asking whether they should lose their seats under anti-defection rules.
Banerjee praised student and youth protests against policies he described as unfair.
He criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and compared two government welfare programs.
The report includes Banerjee’s claims but no direct response from the BJP or the defectors.
Abhishek Banerjee said TMC members who joined dissident factions would not be allowed to return, though Mamata Banerjee has the final say.
His remarks followed notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs who allegedly merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
The MPs were given seven days to respond to a disqualification petition under constitutional anti-defection provisions.
Banerjee urged students and young people to challenge what he called anti-people policies and criticized the BJP and state authorities.
He compared Lakshmir Bhandar with Annapurna Yojana, claiming the former reached 2.5 crore women and the latter 1.5 crore beneficiaries.
- Who
- Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, addressed party supporters; Mamata Banerjee, rebel lawmakers, the BJP and state authorities were also discussed.
- What
- Banerjee ruled out a return to the TMC for members who crossed over to dissident factions and discussed defections, youth activism, political pressure and welfare programs.
- When
- Friday, August 28; the notices to the 20 lawmakers were issued earlier that week.
- Where
- At a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad foundation-day rally in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- Banerjee was responding to party defections and disqualification proceedings while mobilizing students and defending the TMC’s political record.
TMC’s Position
BJP and Defectors’ Position
Return of defectors
TMC’s Position
Abhishek Banerjee said TMC members who crossed over to dissident factions should not be allowed to return and should receive no concessions.
BJP and Defectors’ Position
The articles provide no direct response from the BJP, the dissident factions or the 20 lawmakers to Banerjee’s position.
Welfare performance
TMC’s Position
Banerjee said the TMC government’s Lakshmir Bhandar reached more women than the BJP government’s Annapurna Yojana.
BJP and Defectors’ Position
The report describes Annapurna Yojana as a BJP government program but does not include a BJP response to the comparison.
Political strength and protests
TMC’s Position
Banerjee credited students and young people with challenging government policies and predicted the BJP’s decline in West Bengal.
BJP and Defectors’ Position
Banerjee referred to BJP claims about winning 208 seats, but the articles do not provide the BJP’s response to his criticism.
- Speaker
- Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress
- Party position
- Banerjee said defectors who joined dissident factions would receive no concessions or party return, subject to Mamata Banerjee’s final decision.
- Lawmakers involved
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla issued notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs over a disqualification petition.
- Response deadline
- The MPs were asked to respond within seven days.
- Welfare comparison
- Banerjee claimed Lakshmir Bhandar assisted 2.5 crore women, while Annapurna Yojana benefited 1.5 crore beneficiaries.
- Allowance details
- The report says Annapurna Yojana provides eligible women Rs 3,000 monthly, while Lakshmir Bhandar provided Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 monthly.
- Political claim
- Banerjee predicted that the BJP would decline in West Bengal and said the TMC would not bow to pressure from investigative agencies.
