The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing an unprecedented internal revolt after its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, with party leaders openly questioning the leadership of former chief ministerMamata Banerjeeand her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. The growing unrest within the party has already triggered disciplinary action, with the TMC suspending three spokespersons for six years over alleged anti-party remarks made in the aftermath of the poll loss.
One of them, suspended spokesperson Riju Dutta, intensified the attack on Sunday, alleging that corruption had become institutionalised within the party and claiming that people in Bengal now feel “free to express themselves without fear” after the BJP’s victory.
"Why have things come to such a stage? Why are people celebrating? We did not introspect," he told reporters, according to PTI.
The suspended leader alleged that money was demanded for almost every civic-related work. "From installing commodes in homes to getting building plans approved, money had to be paid everywhere. There was hardly any work for which people did not have to pay the TMC," Dutta alleged.
He also referred to the school jobs scam and said the allegations of "job theft" should have been given serious attention. "If someone says jobs were not stolen, that would be a grave sin," he said, adding that whenever he tried to raise such issues within the party forum, he was ignored.
Earlier, in a video message after the BJP's victory in the state, Dutta had thanked BJP leaders for what he described as their "courtesy" and "protection".
"The BJP's central and Bengal leadership openly told me to continue doing politics fearlessly according to my ideology and beliefs and assured me that my family would not be harmed," he had said.
He also mentioned BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari for extending support and claimed that many Trinamool Congress leaders were keen to join the saffron party.
Dutta also apologised for his past personal attacks on BJP leaders during political campaigns.
Also Read:From Rivals to Allies? Mamata Banerjee Urges Left Forces to Unite; 'Our First Enemy Is BJP'
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
