Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged party leaders planning to leave the organisation to do so before the July 21 Martyrs’ Day programme, saying the party would begin a “new journey” after the annual event despite a series of defections following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Mamata urges rebels leave before July
Addressing supporters through a Facebook Live session, Banerjee said those facing pressure from the BJP or central investigative agencies should decide before July 21. She said,
Those who want to leave because of pressure from the BJP, the police, ED, CBI, CID, STF or pending cases, I fold my hands and request them to leave before July 21. Please do not tarnish the party we have built. You are free to leave, but it will not weaken us.
Martyrs’ families facing threats, claims Mamata
She added that the party would begin afresh after July 21, saying, “It does not matter who comes or who leaves. Those who remain are our real strength. We will start a new journey.”
Banerjee also alleged that the families of those killed in the July 21, 1993, police firing were being intimidated into joining the BJP. Banerjee added,
I have heard that even the martyrs’ families are being threatened and taken to the BJP. They may go, but I know their hearts will remain with us
Koel Mallick formally resigns Rajya Sabha
The Trinamool Congress has witnessed a string of resignations since its poor performance in the 2026 Assembly elections. In June, Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House.
Mamata thanks Koel despite resignation decision
On Thursday, actor-turned-MP Koel Mallick also formally resigned from the Rajya Sabha after personally meeting Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan, who had earlier declined to accept her resignation sent via email and asked her to appear in person. She later met Union Minister and senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav, fuelling speculation over her possible entry into the BJP.
Referring to Koel’s resignation, Banerjee thanked her despite her decision to step down from the Rajya Sabha.
