The TMC national general secretary, however, batted indirectly for having an upper age limit in the party.
Addressing party workers and supporters during a programme in the Diamond Harbour constituency, Banerjee said, “In the last few days, there have been reports of differences between the old and new members of the party. But I want to clarify that the party remains united under the leadership of our supremo Mamata Banerjee. She is running the party in a very organised manner. I will stand by her with my limited ability and organisational capabilities. There is no difference of opinions regarding this.”
Banerjee’s remarks come amid a war of words between veterans and youth leaders of the party over the future leadership. The controversy erupted after Mamata Banerjee late last year advocated giving due respect to senior members of the party.
Abhishek, who is the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, said there was no infighting, debate or disagreement in the TMC over the old guard and new generation of the party. However, the TMC MP indirectly reiterated that there should be an upper age limit within the party.
“Yes, I had said that a person loses his ability to work once he gets old. I was 36 when I was on the streets for two-and-a-half months holding Trinamoole Nabo Jowar (outreach) campaign. But will I be able to hold the same campaign for two-and-a-half months once I am 70 years old? I won’t be able to do it. It is a fact and you have to accept it. My ability to work as a 36-year-old will not remain the same when I turn 56. In the next twenty years, I will lose my ability to work a little. This will continue in the next 30 or 40 years. This is a universal truth. What can’t we accept this?” Banerjee asked.
Dismissing claims that he was planning to step back from party activities, he said, “There were reports which suggested that I have decided to become inactive in the party. These are baseless and inaccurate. Yes, with the Lok Sabha elections approaching, I have responsibilities to campaign in my constituency, but that doesn’t mean I won’t contribute to the party if assigned any task. Whenever the party requires my service and in whatever capacity, I will give my all. If my party supremo gives me a responsibility, I will work towards it. There is no confusion over this.”
Meanwhile, Banerjee distributed old-age pensions among the elderly who were present at the event. He said a total of 76,120 eligible people in his parliamentary constituency would get “hassle-free” old-age pension credited to their bank accounts by January 10.
“These people will get their pension every month. This has been done with the help of over 13,000 volunteers who came forward to be a part of this cause. We are hopeful that the same thing will be taken forward by the state government soon,” said Banerjee.