A day after state minister Rajib Banerjee lashed out on the party management in TMC, claiming that leaders with talents had been being sidelined, with the party leaders dismissing reviews of rifts, the party insists that he is still in TMC. Cabinet Minister of Urban development, Firhad Hakim stated, “There is no controversy with Rajib. He is very much in our party and will stay with us.”

The new problem in TMC fold, Rajib Banerjee, the state forest minister, mentioned, “Whenever I tried to prove my competence and skill, I was relegated to the backseat. I do not know what happened. Corrupt leaders, liars, and those who do not enjoy the confidence of people are being brought to the forefront just because they are sycophants.” The recent rebel, former state transport minister, Suvendu Adhikari was the last TMC leader who had broken away from TMC.

Few days back, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had specifically said that those in contact with the Opposition and other parties like BJP were free to go away from the party. “Mamata Banerjee has sent a loud and clear message to all rebels within the party. If they need to stay within the party they will have to work for the party. Those speaking against the party will not be tolerated. She, however, did not name any leader,” said a senior TMC leader who attended the virtual meeting held by Banerjee with TMC leaders from across the state.

Rajib Banerjee had recently lashed out, “It hurts me when I see that those who have the competence and dexterity and are working on ground standing amidst people are not given any importance. Instead, those sitting in AC chambers and thinking that they would be able to fool the people are occupying the front seats.”

This is, however, not the first time that Rajib Banerjee has spoken out against corruption. Earlier this year, he had said the party’s drive against in-house corruption should be aimed at not only ‘’small fries’’ but also against ‘’big fish’’. A senior minister, however, hit out at Banerjee, accusing him of echoing BJP’s stance. Rajib had at one point of time in his criticism compared the TMC with a paradise of fools.

Even as the TMC is desperately trying to fix the chinks in its armour, more gaps are appearing with one after another leader speaking out against the party.

Dilip Ghosh, president of the BJP’s Bengal unit said, “Those who have minimum self-respect left within them, will not be able to work in the TMC. It is because in the TMC party, only those who hail from a particular house in Kalighat are allowed to become leaders. The rest who gave their sweat and blood will always remain as employees.”

Earlier while Mihir Goswami, a TMC MLA had switched over to the BJP, Silbhadra Dutta another TMC MLA from Barrackpore lashed out against poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s team without naming it. Kishor was roped in by the TMC leadership after the BJP made some impressive gains in the 2019 elections.

BJP leaders have already named at least seven MPs and MLAs, claiming that it is just a matter of time before the lawmakers from the ruling TMC in West Bengal resign from the party and join the BJP.