Rebel Trinamul Congress MLA and chief whip in the West Bengal Assembly Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay described Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as “very intelligent” and reposed his faith in her leadership. “I have complete faith in her. Only she can lead the state to the path of development,” he said.
Clarifying his stand in the wake of the assault on him at the Calcutta University two weeks ago, Mr Chattopadhyay said, “I was with Mamata Banerjee, I am with her and will be in the future too but with respect, when a leader is attacked, the party must deal it with iron hands.” But Mr Chattopadhyay also reiterated that if the party thinks that he is not required, he would accept the party’s decision.
In an oblique reference to the new faces — Humayun Kabir and Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury — who joined the Trinamul Congress from the Congress recently and have been inducted as ministers in the Mamata Banerjee Cabinet, Mr Chattopadhyay said, “Those who are newcomers in the party have no sentiment and feeling attached with this party. They have joined the party without any love and affection but with a goal to earn only.”
“But I am happy that the chief minister has made it clear to them: Say ‘no’ to syndicate, cut money, money in exchange of water supply and sewerage lines and hooliganism. This has come out in the media today,” he added.