West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee has alleged contradictions in the statements of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and demanded his resignation. He said that Abhishek should resign from the party leadership and make statements.
Kolkata (West Bengal) [भारत]July 19 (ANI): West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee on Saturday criticized Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee over his recent statements. He alleged contradictions in Abhishek’s statements and said that he should resign from the party leadership before making such comments.
Speaking to ANI, Ritabrata Banerjee questioned the consistency in the TMC leader’s stance. The Leader of Opposition also demanded that Abhishek Banerjee resign from party posts, citing TMC’s performance in the recent elections.
Abhishek should resign: Ritbrata
“He said this today. What did he say yesterday? He said ‘looters’ ran away fearing the ED and CBI, and the very next day he is asking the same looters to come back. This is a contradiction… He should have resigned on May 4 itself, taking responsibility for the election results,” he said.
He alleged that Abhishek Banerjee avoided appearing to give voice samples due to fear of public anger. Banerjee said, “He could not even go to give his voice sample due to the fear of getting eggs thrown at him. Such a big leader, yet his ego knows no bounds. He should resign from the party leadership and then make such statements.”
Hitting out at Abhishek Banerjee’s reference to 2031, Ritabrata Banerjee said the focus should be on 2029 elections first. He said, “2031 is still far away; first is 2029. He will have to contest the Lok Sabha elections then, and people have already seen the reality… Before talking about winning, he should first stand for the elections and be successful in saving his deposit.”
Commenting on the issue of demolition referred to by Abhishek Banerjee, Ritabrata Banerjee said that if there was any legal complaint, it should be settled through the courts. “If any authority is demolishing something of yours claiming that it is illegal when it is not, then go ahead and seek redress in court,” he said.
What did Abhishek Banerjee say?
Earlier on Saturday, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee challenged those who left the party to return to party supremo Mamata Banerjee’s camp, and promised that if they did so he would resign from his post within an hour.
Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack on those who left the party and challenged them to come back to the party fold, alleging that they have made a “deal” with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
‘Abuse Abhishek, only then you will be saved’
Speaking to reporters here, Banerjee hit back at critics trying to blame her for the party’s past electoral failures. He pointed to TMC’s spectacular success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party won 29 seats in West Bengal. Banerjee said, “This is BJP’s script. To save yourself from the police, you have to speak their language. If you do not abuse Abhishek Banerjee, the police will not spare you. You are safe only if you abuse me.”
Taking a dig at the leaders who changed sides after the elections, the TMC leader questioned their timing. “Those who are going after the 4th (counting day), why didn’t they go earlier? I was here. The party won the 2024 elections and got 29 seats. If Abhishek Banerjee is responsible for the defeat, then the credit for the victory in 2024 should also go to Abhishek Banerjee. Will you accept this?” He said.
“If anyone has any problem with me, I challenge them. About 60 MLAs and 20 MPs have left. I give you an open challenge – you return to Mamata Banerjee. Forget 24 hours, I will tender my resignation within an hour. You say if Abhishek Banerjee leaves, you all will come back. I say you come back by 3 o’clock, and I will resign by 4 o’clock,” Banerjee declared.
He further said, “I also want to say something to those who leave their party as soon as they get a notice from ED, CBI or any investigating agency. If you have done nothing wrong, face investigation. I have been called repeatedly by CID and other agencies. There are so many FIRs against me that I have even asked the High Court to direct the DGP to provide the entire list. I never ran away. For us, protection from ED or CBI is not important.” The only security that matters is the trust and support of the people. If I will ever bow before anyone, I will never bow before the powerful people sitting in Delhi. This is the principle on which I stand.” (ANI)
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