More TMC leaders may resign after Rukmini Koel Mallick: WB LoP Ritabrata Banerjee

Reacting to Mallick's resignation, Banerjee told ANI, "The kind of dictatorship, fascism, and authoritarianism that was established was harmful to democracy."

Referring to earlier exits from the party, he said, "Before this, my three former colleagues--Buluda, Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, my friend Sushmita, and my younger brother Prakash--resigned. They went to the BJP; that is their political choice. Today, Koel Mallick also resigned."

Banerjee claimed that more resignations could follow, alleging that the party functioned through "monologue" instead of dialogue.

"I feel many more people will follow because fascism and dictatorship believe in monologues, whereas dialogue is essential for democracy... Now, dialogue against this is becoming powerful, and this is the lesson of history--dialogue advances against monologue. What is happening is a logical corollary, and I think many others will join this rebellion," he said.

Earlier today, as per sources, Koel Mallick met Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan and submitted her resignation.

Earlier in the Upper House, three prominent former MPs, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik, had jumped ships and defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

They also received the Rajya Sabha bypoll tickets from the BJP as the seats fell vacant.

On Wednesday, former CM Mamata Banerjee's close aide Madan Mitra joined the rebel faction led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.

Meanwhile, the former CM asked the rebels who want to quit the TMC to do so before the July 21 Shaheed Diwas rally.

In a video posted on X, Mamata Banerjee said that actor-turned-politician Rukmini Mallick, aka Koel Mallick, had informed the party leadership before resigning from the Rajya Sabha just months into her tenure.

The TMC supremo said, "I saw one MP. I respect her. She had informed earlier through email. Today she met a BJP leader. Those who are under pressure, please take whatsoever decision and go wherever you want to before July 21, Shaheed Diwas. Our constitution gives us the right to do what we want."

She added, "Those who are leaving us are also in touch with us."

Further, Mamata urged the administration to be "neutral" as the TMC gears up to hold a rally on 'Shaheed Diwas' to commemorate the 13 Youth Congress workers who were killed in police firing during a protest under the Left Front regime in 1993. She is expected to flag the alleged murder of TMC workers in post-poll violence in the state.

"Our workers have been killed. They can't protest. We will peacefully conduct the July 21 program as per the Court's direction. I will ask the administration to stay neutral. Remember, if there are tremors in Delhi, then Bengal will also be impacted," she said.

Amid setbacks, Mamata has maintained that she can "restart" the party if needed, as she did in 2006. (ANI)