“Will not speak about individuals”: Ritabrata avoids comment on Firhad Hakim's political position

Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee on Friday declined to comment directly on speculation surrounding Firhad Hakim's political position amid ongoing discussions about the "New Trinamool Bloc." Speaking to reporters after the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MLAs Debangshu Panda and Swati Khandokar in the Assembly, Ritabrata said he would not discuss individuals and would instead speak in terms of numbers. He added that the political situation would become clearer once the Assembly session begins.

Responding to questions about whether the number of MLAs associated with the bloc could increase, Ritabrata said he would be able to provide a clearer answer on Monday or Tuesday. He stated that if the numbers increased, the media would be informed. On being asked whether Swati Khandokar was aligned with the bloc, Ritabrata said she was "our MLA" and that he and Sandipan Saha attended the oath-taking ceremony because of their responsibility toward members of the Assembly. He also claimed that the group enjoyed the support of more than two-thirds of the MLAs.

When asked specifically whether Firhad Hakim had joined or was planning to join the bloc, Ritabrata reiterated that he would not comment on individuals beyond those already publicly mentioned. He said that developments in the Assembly would provide answers to such questions. Speculation regarding Firhad intensified after he visited the Assembly on June 8 and spent nearly an hour in the office of Opposition Leader Ritabrata Banerjee following a meeting facilitated by Sandipan Saha. Although Firhad was expected to visit the Assembly again on Thursday, he did not attend.

Ritabrata was also asked about Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee's recent remarks regarding Abhishek Banerjee. In response, he said that he and Sandipan Saha represented a collective rather than individual viewpoints. According to Ritabrata, Kalyan Banerjee's comments were made in a personal capacity in relation to a personal incident. Meanwhile, Swati Khandokar completed her oath-taking ceremony on Friday after earlier postponements caused by a leg fracture that required hospitalization during the initial swearing-in sessions held on May 13 and 14.