JOIN USCracks within TMC widen as Rajib Banerjee resigns as minister
West Bengal Forest Minister and senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Rajib Banerjee resigned from Cabinet on Friday. He had sent his resignation letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, Rajib indicated that one of the key reasons behind his decision was the lack of “courtesy” on the part of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she removed him from the post of Irrigation Minister.
“I was suddenly removed as Irrigation Department two and a half years ago. I expected minimum courtesy from a colleague (Mamata). I felt bad that I had to know through television that I have been removed from the Irrigation Department. At that time I was speaking to party workers. I was embarrassed,” said Rajib.
“There should have been minimum courtesy. Next day I told the Chief Minister that I wanted to resign as a minister. Then she dissuaded me,” said Rajib.
He also said that for the last two years he had repeatedly conveyed his grievances to the TMC supremo and other senior leaders.
“For the last one month comments of some party colleagues have hurt me a lot. Hence I have to take this tough decision,” said Rajib. He also said that he would “always be grateful” to the Chief Minister.
The two time MLA from Domjur Assembly constituency stated in his resignation letter that it was a “great honour and privilege” to serve the people of Bengal.
“I regret to inform you that I hereby tender my resignation from my office as Cabinet Minister in charge of Forest Department on today, i.e on 22nd January 2021. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of West Bengal. I hereby convey my gratitude for getting this opportunity,” Rajib stated in his resignation letter.
He also stated that he had sent a copy of the resignation letter to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. Later in the day, the Governor stated that Rajib’s resignation had been accepted and the Chief Minister would be in charge of the Forest Department.
Reacting to the development senior TMC MP Saugata Roy said that “we were expecting that he would resign. He was constantly speaking against the party and not doing his duties. It’s good that he had resigned otherwise we would have to take action against him.”
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh said that “Rajib Banerjee has resigned as Minister like several others in the TMC. He is still a TMC MLA. If he wants to join BJP he will be welcomed.” There had been speculations that he might join the BJP but Rajib never spoke on the matter.
Rajib is the third minister to resign ahead of the Assembly elections expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the TMC. Earlier, former TMC leader and Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Minister of State Laxmi Ratan Shukla had resigned.
For the last few months, Rajib had repeatedly expressed his grievances against the TMC alleging that “yes-men” were getting more prominence in the party than a dedicated worker. Rajib had skipped the last five Cabinet meetings.