No intention of changing sides, stand firmly with Mamata ji: Shatrughan Sinha
Shatrughan Sinha dismissed speculation of joining the TMC rebel camp, declaring his unwavering support for Mamata Banerjee and saying he would stand by her during the party's crisis just as she had supported him during difficult phases.
Senior Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha, whose name was reportedly claimed by the rebel camp as one of its supporters, on Thursday dismissed the speculation and reaffirmed his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, saying she had stood by him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career. Sinha said Banerjee continued to enjoy strong public support, asserting that he had no intention of leaving the Trinamool.
Rebel leaders had claimed that Sinha was among the 19 Trinamool MPs who had submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, pledging allegiance to the BJP-led NDA in Parliament.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sinha rejected the claim, saying he had neither signed any such letter nor been approached by anyone from the rebel camp regarding it.
"I was with Mamata Banerjee, I am with Mamata Banerjee, and I will remain with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress," he said, describing it as a "three-line whip" he had imposed on himself.
He added, "Some people may consider me a rebel, but if speaking the truth is rebellion, then I am a rebel. However, my name should not be linked to this group. I have not signed anything, nor has anyone approached me".
His remarks come at a time when the Trinamool Congress is witnessing a wave of defections by MPs and MLAs, pushing the party into one of the most serious internal crises in its history and bringing it to the brink of a vertical split.
The veteran leader affirmed that he would not abandon Mamata Banerjee, who had stood by him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career.
"When I lost the 2019 election and was going through a difficult phase, Mamata Banerjee was the one who stood by me. She encouraged me, gave me an opportunity to contest from Asansol, and I won. In her difficult time, I cannot abandon her," he told India Today.
Specifically asked about Abhishek Banerjee and his leadership, a matter that several rebel leaders have raised objections to, Sinha said that "Mamata Banerjee is his only leader in the party" and that he recognises no one else in that role.
"As for Abhishek Banerjee, I know him well, but my leader has always been Mamata Banerjee and only Mamata Banerjee. My direct communication and instructions always came from her, and even today I will listen to Mamata ji. I do not know anyone else in that role, nor do I recognise anyone else in that capacity," Sinha added.
According to Sinha, Mamata Banerjee has established herself as a street fighter and a leader who remains connected with the people and "even today, Mamata ji has around 41 per cent vote share and continues to have tremendous public support."
On the alleged list of rebel MPs, which reportedly includes prominent names such as Yusuf Pathan and Saayoni Ghosh, Sinha said the list came as a surprise to him. However, he added, "Some people may have acted out of fear, pressure, temptation, or compulsion. Some may feel they will not be able to work effectively under the current circumstances."
When asked about the future of the Trinamool Congress and speculation surrounding a possible rapprochement or merger between the TMC and Congress, Sinha said he was unaware of any discussions on a merger. However, he said that cooperation between Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would be beneficial for democracy, the opposition, West Bengal, and the country.
Sinha, however, sought to downplay the turmoil within the Trinamool Congress, saying differences of opinion exist in every political party and should not automatically be construed as signs of a split. He also dismissed suggestions that the TMC was facing an existential crisis, describing Mamata Banerjee as a grassroots leader and a resilient fighter who has repeatedly overcome political challenges throughout her career.
Following the Trinamool Congress's crushing defeat in West Bengal, 58 of the Trinamool Congress's 80 MLAs revolted against the leadership and threw their weight behind Riabrata Banerjee, posing a direct challenge to the party's official leadership. The rebellion soon spilled over to Parliament, with more than 15 of the party's 28 MPs also breaking ranks and publicly backing the BJP-led NDA.
Senior Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha, whose name was reportedly claimed by the rebel camp as one of its supporters, on Thursday dismissed the speculation and reaffirmed his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, saying she had stood by him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career. Sinha said Banerjee continued to enjoy strong public support, asserting that he had no intention of leaving the Trinamool.
Rebel leaders had claimed that Sinha was among the 19 Trinamool MPs who had submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, pledging allegiance to the BJP-led NDA in Parliament.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sinha rejected the claim, saying he had neither signed any such letter nor been approached by anyone from the rebel camp regarding it.
"I was with Mamata Banerjee, I am with Mamata Banerjee, and I will remain with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress," he said, describing it as a "three-line whip" he had imposed on himself.
He added, "Some people may consider me a rebel, but if speaking the truth is rebellion, then I am a rebel. However, my name should not be linked to this group. I have not signed anything, nor has anyone approached me".
His remarks come at a time when the Trinamool Congress is witnessing a wave of defections by MPs and MLAs, pushing the party into one of the most serious internal crises in its history and bringing it to the brink of a vertical split.
The veteran leader affirmed that he would not abandon Mamata Banerjee, who had stood by him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career.
"When I lost the 2019 election and was going through a difficult phase, Mamata Banerjee was the one who stood by me. She encouraged me, gave me an opportunity to contest from Asansol, and I won. In her difficult time, I cannot abandon her," he told India Today.
Specifically asked about Abhishek Banerjee and his leadership, a matter that several rebel leaders have raised objections to, Sinha said that "Mamata Banerjee is his only leader in the party" and that he recognises no one else in that role.
"As for Abhishek Banerjee, I know him well, but my leader has always been Mamata Banerjee and only Mamata Banerjee. My direct communication and instructions always came from her, and even today I will listen to Mamata ji. I do not know anyone else in that role, nor do I recognise anyone else in that capacity," Sinha added.
According to Sinha, Mamata Banerjee has established herself as a street fighter and a leader who remains connected with the people and "even today, Mamata ji has around 41 per cent vote share and continues to have tremendous public support."
On the alleged list of rebel MPs, which reportedly includes prominent names such as Yusuf Pathan and Saayoni Ghosh, Sinha said the list came as a surprise to him. However, he added, "Some people may have acted out of fear, pressure, temptation, or compulsion. Some may feel they will not be able to work effectively under the current circumstances."
When asked about the future of the Trinamool Congress and speculation surrounding a possible rapprochement or merger between the TMC and Congress, Sinha said he was unaware of any discussions on a merger. However, he said that cooperation between Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would be beneficial for democracy, the opposition, West Bengal, and the country.
Sinha, however, sought to downplay the turmoil within the Trinamool Congress, saying differences of opinion exist in every political party and should not automatically be construed as signs of a split. He also dismissed suggestions that the TMC was facing an existential crisis, describing Mamata Banerjee as a grassroots leader and a resilient fighter who has repeatedly overcome political challenges throughout her career.
Following the Trinamool Congress's crushing defeat in West Bengal, 58 of the Trinamool Congress's 80 MLAs revolted against the leadership and threw their weight behind Riabrata Banerjee, posing a direct challenge to the party's official leadership. The rebellion soon spilled over to Parliament, with more than 15 of the party's 28 MPs also breaking ranks and publicly backing the BJP-led NDA.
