Amid the simmering dispute between party leaders allied to him and his aunt and party supremo Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, the de facto second-in-command in the ruling TMC, on Wednesday compared the “internal rifts” in the party to those in a family.
“When the party starts to grow and becomes big, then internal rifts are bound to happen. Is there no internal rift in the BJP or CPI(M)? Internal conflicts exist within families as well. With thousands of party members, it is normal to have rifts. Do employees not have conflicts among them at the workplace? But this does not allow anyone to do anything they want. The party has always taken action against those who do not comply with the party’s discipline. The administration takes the required action as well. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has clarified her stance,” Abhishek told mediapersons when asked about the “factionalism” in the ruling TMC.
Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a health camp, Sebaashray, in Falta in his Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, the TMC MP told party workers to be “humble”. “I want to give this message to all Trinamool workers today — people elect us and hence, we need to be humble. The party’s doors will be closed to those who think highly of themselves and try to show power. We are a people’s party and there is a basic difference between Trinamool and Opposition parties,” he said.
Banerjee, who is the party’s Diamond Harbour MP, emphasised the party’s commitment to the values of “niti” (principles) over “Raj” (political control), a distinction that sets TMC apart from other parties such as the BJP and CPI(M).
“We believe in niti (principles) whereas BJP and CPI(M) believe in ‘raj’ (power) in rajniti (politics). This is the foundational difference that defines the TMC’s political identity,” he added.
He, however, stressed that the party would remain strict about its internal discipline. “The party’s disciplinary committee has always taken action against those who flout it, and no exception will be made in the coming days,” he added.
“Nobody is above the party’s discipline. A booth-level party member as well as me, the national general secretary, have to maintain the same party discipline,” he added.
On murder of two TMC workers in close succession in Malda district, allegedly the fallout of a factional fight in the party’s local unit, Abhishek said: “If any incident occurs, it is unfortunate. But with one or two incidents, no one can judge the safety and security. What is important is what action the state government takes. The TMC is in power in the state and if the police arrest someone from the TMC for murder, then it shows what the party’s standing is.”
On the death of a woman after childbirth at state-run Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, allegedly after administration of ‘expired’ intravenous fluid, said, “Any death is tragic and unfortunate. The state government has clarified its stance. A probe committee has been formed. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty. The administration has taken steps irrespective of political affiliations.”
“Nothing is more important than life. If any mistake led to the death of a mother during childbirth, the person responsible should face the harshest consequences. Such action should set an example for others. The state government has already instructed police to arrest those who are involved in this case, and strict action should be initiated against them,”
On protests over the RG Kar rape and murder incident, that had divided the party leaders, the TMC MP said: “In the RG Kar case, police arrested the accused within 24 hours… Bad people exist everywhere in society. Crimes and misdeeds happen everywhere. However, the number of good people is more than bad people. Can you forget the crimes by CPI(M) or BJP members? We always maintain a zero-tolerance policy. A booth-level party member, as well as me, have to maintain the party discipline.”