1 week ago
Kasem Siddiqui Returns to Mamata Banerjee Camp After Rebel Switch
Kasem Siddiqui is a Trinamool Congress lawmaker from Amdanga.
He had recently joined a rebel group led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
Siddiqui now says he is returning to Mamata Banerjee’s group.
He said he joined the rebels because he thought Mamata was still their leader.
Later, he said, he learned that Mamata was not part of the group.
Siddiqui also said the rebels asked people to sign a letter while they were confused.
Kunal Ghosh supported Siddiqui’s account and said the signatures were misrepresented.
At the same time, former Amdanga MLA Rafiqur Rahman met Ritabrata Banerjee.
Trinamool Congress MLA Kasem Siddiqui announced his return to Mamata Banerjee’s camp months after joining a rebel faction.
Siddiqui said he was misled into believing Mamata Banerjee remained the rebels’ leader.
He said rebels led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee called one meeting and obtained signatures amid confusion.
Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged the signatures were secured through confusion and misrepresentation.
As Siddiqui returned, former Amdanga MLA Rafiqur Rahman met rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress MLA Kasem Siddiqui, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee, and MLA Kunal Ghosh are central to the account.
- What
- Kasem Siddiqui announced that he was returning from the rebel faction to Mamata Banerjee’s camp.
- Where
- Siddiqui made the announcement at a press conference; he represents Amdanga.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday, months after Siddiqui switched to the rebel camp.
- Why
- Siddiqui said he was misled into believing Mamata Banerjee remained the rebels’ leader.
Mamata Banerjee Camp
Rebel Faction
Siddiqui’s political alignment
Mamata Banerjee Camp
Siddiqui said he was and will remain with Mamata Banerjee, arguing that voters supported him because of her.
Rebel Faction
Siddiqui had previously joined the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
How signatures were obtained
Mamata Banerjee Camp
Siddiqui and Kunal Ghosh said the rebels created confusion and misrepresented the purpose of the signatures.
Rebel Faction
The article reports that the rebels told participants Mamata Banerjee would remain their leader when they were asked to sign, but does not include a direct response from the rebel faction.
Key facts
- MLA returning
- Kasem Siddiqui, the MLA from Amdanga
- Previous faction
- A rebel group led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee
- Claim about the switch
- Siddiqui said he believed Mamata Banerjee remained the rebels’ leader
- Alleged signing process
- Siddiqui and Kunal Ghosh said signatures were obtained amid confusion and misrepresentation
- Press conference colleague
- Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh
- Parallel political meeting
- Former Amdanga MLA Rafiqur Rahman met Ritabrata Banerjee
- Recent election detail
- The article says Siddiqui defeated BJP’s Arindam Dey in the 2026 Amdanga polls
Quotes
Kasem Siddiqui
Trinamool Congress MLA from Amdanga
“We were called to just one meeting by Ritabrata and told that Mamata Banerjee will remain our leader. We were made to sign the letter amid confusion. We later realised that there was no Didi there and it was a separate group.”
NDTV
“I went there thinking Didi was present. Then I saw that Didi wasn't there; there was no sign of her anywhere. People voted because of Didi. I campaigned in Amdanga carrying Didi's posters. Wherever Didi is, we are there too.”
NDTV
Kunal Ghosh
Trinamool Congress MLA from Beleghata
“They were asked to sign by creating confusion and misrepresentation. There is no connection between the reality and the reason for which the signatures were obtained.”
NDTV
Sources
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