Abhishek Banerjee addresses TMC rifts, urges humility, and supports AAP in Delhi polls

Abhishek Banerjee, the All India General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a Member of Parliament, addressed the ongoing internal tensions within the party during a media interaction on Wednesday. He emphasized that while internal conflicts are a natural part of any growing political organization, they should not be used as an excuse for undermining party discipline. He cited the example of other major parties, such as the BJP and CPI(M), where internal rifts are also common.

Banerjee remarked, "Internal rifts are normal in any big party. If we look at families or workplaces, conflicts arise. With thousands of members, it’s natural." He assured that the TMC takes disciplinary actions against any member who breaches the party's code of conduct. This statement came amidst rising tension within the TMC, especially between Banerjee and party chief Mamata Banerjee. The rift is largely attributed to the delayed organizational reshuffle within the party.

During his address, Abhishek Banerjee emphasized the importance of humility, especially for TMC members who hold public office. He stated that TMC workers must always remember that they were elected by the people and should avoid acting arrogantly. "The party’s doors will be closed for those who think highly of themselves," Banerjee added, highlighting the stark difference between TMC and opposition parties.

Banerjee also reacted to the recent violence involving TMC workers in Malda. He acknowledged the police’s swift action in the cases of both murder and rape within the party, stressing that the arrests were made even when the accused were from the ruling party. "We always maintain a zero-tolerance policy against crime," he added, referring to the recent incident where TMC worker Ataul Haque was murdered.

Regarding the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, Banerjee explained that the TMC is backing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and not Congress. He justified the move by saying that regional parties are stronger in some areas, and the TMC had decided that they would support the strongest local contender against the BJP. "In Delhi, it is clear that AAP is the strongest contender against the BJP," he stated.