Mamata warns dissident TMC leaders: 'Stay with party or join BJP'

Kolkata, Jul 8 (PTI) Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday attacked the dissident Trinamool Congress leaders, asking them to either remain with the TMC or openly join the BJP instead of "staying in the middle of the river". In a video message, Banerjee accused the rebel TMC MLAs and MPs of acting at the behest of the BJP and alleged that their "betrayal" had emboldened the saffron party to intensify attacks on Trinamool Congress workers. Her comments came on a day when workers of the BJP and the TMC youth wing clashed in Kolkata during a protest march by the Mamata Banerjee-led party over the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, prompting police personnel to baton charge to control the situation. The rally, which was organised by youth workers of the Mamata Banerjee-aligned TMC after securing a green signal from the Calcutta High Court, was repeatedly obstructed by BJP workers who raised “thief” slogans and even tried to set up human barricades along the protest march route along the Hazra Road. "Those who are playing games should make up their minds. Either stay with the Trinamool Congress and work with us, or directly join the BJP. Don't remain in the middle of the river; otherwise, you will lose both ends," she said. Banerjee also alleged that the "traitors" have become associates of the BJP. Without naming anyone, Banerjee referred to leaders opposed to her leadership and said they should stop misleading party workers. "If you want to go, go directly to the BJP. Don't pretend to be in the Trinamool Congress while working for them," she said. Banerjee urged party workers not to be influenced by "traitors" and reminded them of the sacrifices made by grassroots activists who had faced violence while working for the party. "It was with their support and sacrifice that you won," she said. The TMC supremo also claimed that despite court permission for the party's programmes, the police had cancelled permissions multiple times, raising questions over adherence to judicial orders. She alleged that people were being denied justice and accused the BJP of trying to disturb peace in the state. Banerjee has been facing the biggest crisis in the party's 28-year history after losing power in West Bengal and witnessing a mass exodus of MPs, MLAs and senior leaders to the rebel camp led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. A group of dissident MLAs also met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari this evening. PTI BSM NN