‘Abhishek just an excuse, Madan Mitra left because of ED summons,’ says Mamata Banerjee

Hours after her long-time aide Madan Mitra joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebels, former Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that “those who want to go can go.”

In a Facebook Live, Mamata slammed the TMC rebels, saying, “I apologise to the people on behalf of the traitors. I have not sold my ‘bibek’ (conscience) for political survival.”

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The TMC supremo said that she had been facing “so much torture” because she didn’t compromise.

“Had I compromised, we would not have faced so much torture. Those who have compromised have many bags and luggage of their own,” she said.

After quitting the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, Mitra had blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the party’s crisis.

“I had suggested that Abhishek Banerjee step aside for six months or a year. I told him, ‘Let us build the party, and then you can come back and take your seat,’ but he refused. He said, ‘I won’t leave the party.’ The party is sinking; the boat has gone under. People are dying. Yet, the party decided, or rather it was forced to accept, that everyone else could die, but Abhishek had to be saved. It is deeply saddening,” he said.

However, Banerjee defended her nephew and TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, saying that Mitra left because of ED summons to his family members.

“Abhishek Banerjee has been turned into an excuse. His family members were summoned. Had he wanted, he could have got relief. But he did not run away from the battlefield. The way he has continued to fight, all his flaws have been forgiven,” said the TMC chief.

According to the TMC, Mitra’s daughters-in-law and sons were summoned by the ED a day before he joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction.

The former Bengal CM also launched a scathing attack on the BJP, alleging that the saffron party wished for her to get a heart attack.

“BJP wished for me to get a heart attack, but I will live till I see your end,” she added.