Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh Takes Swipe At Trinamool Amid Battle Over Party Symbol

(MENAFN- IANS) Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh on Saturday took a sharp swipe at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as rival factions of the party battled over ownership of its election symbol before the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Speaking to reporters, the senior BJP leader said the Trinamool Congress should cease to exist as it caused damage to the people of West Bengal when it was in power.

"It appears that no one has secured the party symbol. We do not want this party to have a foothold either in West Bengal or anywhere else. It should cease to exist. The party has brought immense destruction to Bengal and has corrupted politics in the state," Ghosh said.

The former West Bengal BJP president also questioned the current standing of the Trinamool Congress, claiming that the party was in a state of confusion and disarray.

Referring to remarks made by Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh, he said that for many within the party, Trinamool Congress remained synonymous with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"As long as Mamata Banerjee remains around, people may feel that a party called the Trinamool Congress still exists. However, the rebel faction now enjoys the backing of a majority of the party's leaders and MLAs. The organisation is clearly in disarray," he added.

"In their party leader Kunal Ghosh's words, Trinamool means Mamata Banerjee. So, as long as she is around, if you look at her, it will seem that there was a party called the Trinamool Congress. But there is also the rebel faction, which has the support of the majority of its MLAs. Therefore, the party is in disarray," Ghosh said.

The remarks came on a day when the ECI held discussions in New Delhi with the two rival TMC factions over their competing claims to the party symbol. The rebel faction, led by Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee, was heard first, followed by the original faction headed by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The party split after the change of government in West Bengal, with a majority of TMC legislators joining the camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee, while a smaller group of MLAs and leaders continued to remain loyal to Mamata Banerjee.

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