Senior Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday firmly rejected speculation that he was aligning with the rebel faction within the All India Trinamool Congress, reiterating his unwavering loyalty to Mamata Banerjee and declaring that he would continue to stand by her despite the political turmoil currently affecting the party.
Sinha's remarks came amid reports suggesting that his name had appeared among a group of Trinamool Congress MPs who had allegedly pledged support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Parliament. According to claims made by rebel leaders, as many as 19 Trinamool MPs had submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker expressing their allegiance to the NDA. However, Sinha categorically denied being part of any such initiative.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, the veteran politician stated that he had neither signed any letter supporting the rebel camp nor been contacted by any of its members regarding such a move. He stressed that his political position was clear and unchanged.
“I was with Mamata Banerjee, I am with Mamata Banerjee, and I will remain with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress,” Sinha said, describing this commitment as a “three-line whip” that he had imposed upon himself. His statement was intended to leave no room for ambiguity regarding his allegiance during a period of intense political uncertainty within the party.
Addressing reports linking him to the dissident group, Sinha remarked that while some individuals might view him as a rebel because of his habit of speaking candidly, that should not be interpreted as support for the current rebellion within the party. He maintained that speaking the truth should not automatically be equated with political defiance.
“Some people may consider me a rebel, but if speaking the truth is rebellion, then I am a rebel. However, my name should not be associated with this faction. I have not signed any document, nor has anyone approached me regarding such a move,” he said.
His comments come at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing one of the most serious internal challenges in its history. The party has reportedly witnessed a significant wave of defections involving both MPs and MLAs, creating speculation about a possible vertical split within the organisation and raising concerns about its political future.
Despite the growing unrest, Sinha made it clear that he would not abandon Mamata Banerjee during a difficult phase. Reflecting on his own political journey, he recalled how Banerjee had supported him when he faced setbacks following the 2019 general election.
According to Sinha, after losing the election and going through a politically challenging period, it was Mamata Banerjee who encouraged him and provided him with an opportunity to revive his political career. She nominated him to contest from the Asansol constituency, where he subsequently secured victory.
“When I lost the 2019 election and was passing through a difficult phase, Mamata Banerjee stood by me. She motivated me, trusted me, and gave me the chance to contest from Asansol. I won because of that opportunity. Therefore, when she is facing difficulties, I cannot leave her side,” he said.
Sinha was also asked about the role of Abhishek Banerjee, whose leadership has been questioned by several members of the rebel camp. In response, Sinha emphasised that Mamata Banerjee remained his sole leader within the party.
He stated that while he knew Abhishek Banerjee and had interacted with him, his political allegiance and chain of command had always been centred on Mamata Banerjee. According to him, all important instructions and communication throughout his tenure in the party had come directly from her.
“As far as Abhishek Banerjee is concerned, I know him and respect him, but my leader has always been Mamata Banerjee and only Mamata Banerjee. I have always received guidance and instructions from her. Even today, I will listen to Mamata ji. I do not recognise anyone else in that role,” Sinha said.
The veteran MP further praised Mamata Banerjee’s political resilience, describing her as a grassroots leader and a fighter who has consistently remained connected with ordinary people. He argued that despite the current political crisis, she continues to enjoy significant public support across West Bengal.
According to Sinha, Banerjee's popularity remains strong, and her political standing should not be underestimated. He pointed out that she still commands substantial voter support and possesses the ability to overcome political challenges, as she has done repeatedly throughout her career.
Commenting on the reported list of rebel MPs, which allegedly includes figures such as Yusuf Pathan and Saayoni Ghosh, Sinha said he was surprised by the names being circulated. Nevertheless, he suggested that different individuals may have acted for different reasons.
He observed that some politicians might have been influenced by pressure, fear, political calculations, temptations, or circumstances that led them to believe they could not continue functioning effectively within the current environment. However, he refrained from directly criticising those who had allegedly chosen a different path.
The discussion also touched upon the future of the Trinamool Congress and speculation about possible cooperation or even a merger between the party and the Indian National Congress. Sinha stated that he had no knowledge of any formal merger discussions taking place.
At the same time, he remarked that closer cooperation between Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi could prove beneficial for democratic politics, opposition unity, West Bengal, and the country as a whole.
Despite acknowledging the challenges confronting the party, Sinha sought to downplay suggestions that the Trinamool Congress was facing an existential threat. He argued that differences of opinion are common in all political organisations and should not automatically be interpreted as signs of an irreversible split.
He maintained that political parties often experience periods of internal disagreement and that such developments do not necessarily lead to organisational collapse. According to him, Mamata Banerjee's long history of overcoming adversity demonstrates that she possesses the political strength needed to navigate the current crisis.
The controversy arises against the backdrop of reports indicating a major revolt within the Trinamool Congress following the party's electoral setback in West Bengal. According to these reports, 58 of the party's 80 MLAs allegedly rebelled against the leadership and declared support for Ritabrata Banerjee, challenging the authority of the official leadership. The unrest reportedly extended to Parliament as well, with more than 15 of the party's 28 MPs said to have expressed support for the BJP-led NDA.
Amid these developments, Shatrughan Sinha's unequivocal declaration of loyalty represents a significant endorsement of Mamata Banerjee's leadership at a time when the party is grappling with one of the most turbulent periods in its political history. His message was clear: despite rumours, speculation, and political upheaval, he intends to remain firmly aligned with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress.
