More trouble brewing for Mamata's TMC? Expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee makes fresh claim

NEW DELHI: West Bengal leader of opposition and expelled Trinamool Congress leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Friday exuded confidence that support for the rebel-TMC faction he is leading will "continue to increase".

Ritabrata's remarks came amid turmoil within Mamata Banerjee's party.

The expelled TMC leader claimed to have the backing of a sizeable section of MLAs from the party's strength in the West Bengal assembly. He said the number of supporting MLAs would only increase. However, he clarified that he has not been in touch with any TMC MPs.

Bengal leader of opposition and rebel TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee said, "I will say only one thing - our numbers will keep on increasing. Absolutely confident. There is no question of (the numbers) dropping. Let's wait and watch. As far as the number of MLAs is concerned, the numbers will keep increasing...In the last week, I have not spoken to any MP."

He also appealed to chief minister Suvendu Adhikari to take action against BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal, who allegedly protested outside the residence of fellow rebel TMC leader Sandipan Saha.

West Bengal assembly's leader of opposition and expelled Trinamool Congress leader Ritabrata said, "Priyanka Tibrewal, BJP candidate who was defeated from Entally AC, protested in front of Sandipan Saha's house. This is shameful. We filed a case against this incident in New Market PS. We appeal to CM Suvendu Adhikari to never support this kind of act and take action against it."

He further said, "If there was public outrage, was she also a part of the public? What was she doing there? Sandipan Saha's house does not come under the Entally constituency, but the Chowringhee constituency. By gathering people from outside, they (BJP) did this."

Ritabrata's claim to the post of leader of the opposition in Bengal has added to the chaos in TMC as party supremo Mamata Banerjee herself conceded defeat from her own Bhabanipur constituency.

The setback compounded the TMC's troubles as the party lost power after 15 years, with the BJP storming to victory in the state for the first time.