'Abhishek Not My Leader': TMC's Shatrughan Sinha Vows Loyalty Towards Mamata Amid Rebel Crisis

Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 16:16 IST

The Trinamool Congress continues to grapple with an internal crisis in the aftermath of a bruising defeat in the West Bengal Assembly Election

A day after his name reportedly appeared on the list of 19 rebel MPs, seeking to form a separate faction in Parliament, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha affirmed his loyalty to party chief Mamata Banerjee, asserting he would not abandon her in adverse times.

Sinha said “neither Abhishek Banerjee nor anyone else" was his leader as he vowed to continue working under Mamata Banerjee.

The Trinamool Congress continues to grapple with an internal crisis in the aftermath of a bruising defeat in the West Bengal Assembly Election.

In a video message posted by news agency ANI, Sinha said: “I was with Mamata Didi, I am with Mamata Didi and I will always be with Mamata Didi… Neither Abhishek Banerjee nor anyone else is my leader. My leader is only Mamata Banerjee…"

‘If My Friends In BJP Said Something…’

Sinha, a prominent TMC MP from West Bengal’s Asansol, said it was time to demonstrate unity and stand with Mamata Banerjee. “This is not the time to leave her… Mamata Banerjee is a mature, tried and tested leader…"

Without specifying names, the TMC leader acknowledged that he had friends in the BJP, adding if they offered something to him, it must have been with good intent.

… I will not take anyone’s name. I have been in the BJP with almost 30 years. I have been trained by very senior leaders of the party. If they said something for me, it must have been with a good intention… but for me the best if to be with Mamata Banerjee…"

Shatrughan Sinha stressed he had no plans to switch parties during the ongoing crisis in the TMC. “I will always be with Mamata Banerjee. Even if I am alone, I will just say “Ekla Chalo" and stay with her… I have no plans to go anywhere as of now…"

Poll Rout And Internal Battle

An internal rift within the TMC came into the open following the party’s significant setback in the West Bengal elections. The defeat triggered growing dissent among several MLAs and MPs, many of whom openly challenged the party leadership, particularly its general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.

Widely regarded as the political heir to Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek became the focal point of criticism from disgruntled leaders questioning the party’s leadership structure.

In a latest jolt to Mamata, a group of 19 dissident TMC MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, reportedly submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla last month claiming Dastidar remains the party’s Chief Whip in the House and informing him of their decision to back the BJP-led National Democratic Party (BJP).

The TMC had earlier faced a rebellion by its legislators in the state, with expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee leading the faction and stating that 58 MLAs had been given recognition in the Assembly as the principal opposition group.

News india 'Abhishek Not My Leader': TMC's Shatrughan Sinha Vows Loyalty Towards Mamata Amid Rebel Crisis

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