- By Chetna Shree
- Fri, 15 May 2026 10:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
West Bengal: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday sent a clear message to the party's defeated candidates, stating that anyone who wants to leave can do so. Rather than trying to hold onto those members, she expressed her intent to move forward and focus on rebuilding the party herself.
During a meeting with defeated candidates at her residence in Kalighat on Saturday, Banerjee said, "Those who are with us should fix the broken party office. Paint it and reopen it. If necessary, I will paint it myself," she said, adding that "the people's decision has been stolen."
Abhishek Banerjee, the party's general secretary, was also present during the meeting.
'Whoever Wants To Go, Let Them Go': Mamata
This follows her earlier remarks from May 5, where she said that some members have been compelled to o join other parties.
Speaking at a press conference, the TMC supremo said, "I know many people will leave for other parties. Perhaps they are compelled to do so. I have no say in this matter. Whoever wants to go, let them go. I am not in favour of forcibly stopping them."
Days after receiving defeat in the West Bengal Assembly election, former chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday. Her appearance in court was in connection with a PIL alleging post-poll violence in the state.
However, she was surrounded by a group of lawyers, and they opposed her by raising slogans, including "chor chor" (thief).
West Bengal Assembly Elections
The Trinamool Congress managed to secure only 80 seats in the recently concluded assembly elections. In a major personal and political setback, Mamata Banerjee lost her own seat in the Bhabanipur constituency to Suvendu Adhikari.