'Cannot leave her, she stood by me in my difficult time': Shatrughan Sinha backs Mamata amid 'rebellion' reports

Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday dismissed reports linking him to a group of rebel MPs and reaffirmed his support for party chief Mamata Banerjee amid the ongoing political crisis within the party. The Asansol MP said he would continue to stand by Banerjee, recalling that she supported him during a difficult phase of his political career.

Speaking on the developments within the party, Sinha said reports claiming that he had signed a letter submitted by rebel MPs were incorrect. He stated that Banerjee had extended support to him after he lost the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha election in 2019 and later gave him the opportunity to contest from Asansol, from where he was elected to Parliament.

Sinha said he considered it his duty to support Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress at a time when the party was facing challenges. He acknowledged that several of his friends were among those who had joined the rebel camp but maintained that he would remain with the party leadership. He also said that he had received invitations from different quarters, including the BJP, but had decided to stay with the Trinamool Congress.

The clarification came amid reports suggesting that Sinha was among a group of Trinamool MPs who had allegedly signed a letter associated with the dissident faction. According to information cited in the reports, Sinha denied any involvement and reiterated his loyalty to the party. The statement is being viewed as a significant development at a time when several leaders and lawmakers have distanced themselves from the party leadership.

The Trinamool Congress is currently facing internal dissent in both Parliament and the West Bengal Assembly. Several MPs have either resigned or expressed support for the rebel camp, while expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed the backing of a substantial number of legislators in the Assembly. The developments have intensified political activity within the party as efforts continue to consolidate support among its elected representatives.