Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: The crisis facing the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC in West Bengal continues unabated. On Wednesday, Madan Mitra, a close leader of Mamata Banerjee, also switched sides. He resigned from Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and joined Ritabrata Banerjee. Mitra later attacked Abhishek Banerjee while sitting next to Ritabrata Banerjee. Mamata Banerjee, already grappling with the West Bengal election defeat, has suffered a major blow. Mamata Banerjee had bet on Madan Mitra after Ritabrata Banerjee staked claim to the TMC and Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned. Mamata Banerjee had appointed him General Secretary, but on Wednesday, just 11 days later, Madan Mitra rebelled. After announcing his resignation from all posts, he directly approached the rebel faction's leader, Ritabrata Banerjee. He then, in a rather amusing manner, blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the rebellion and split within the TMC. Mahua Moitra has retorted to Madan Mitra's betrayal of Mamata Banerjee. Mamata Banerjee has also responded to this issue. Mitra said, "I made an offer to Abhishek."
After leaving the TMC, Madan Mitra spoke to the media sitting next to Ritabrata Banerjee. Even Ritabrata Banerjee couldn't help but laugh at Madan Mitra's tone. Mitra said, "I suggested to Abhishek Banerjee that he step down for six months or a year. I told him, 'Let's 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 sunk. People are dying.'" Yet, the party decided, or rather, was forced to accept, that everyone else must die, but Abhishek must be saved. Mitra said, "The party belongs to everyone."
Madan Mitra said, "This is very sad. The party belongs to everyone, yet it seems to be limited to serving Abhishek. I request Mamata ji to treat this as a marathon. We will definitely meet each other along the way. Let's see which horse comes out ahead. I have resigned from all posts. However, I am still an MLA. I have given up everything associated with Trinamool. This means that, in terms of work, I am no longer a Trinamool MLA."