'Mamata Banerjee is my leader, not Abhishek or anyone else': Shatrughan Sinha vows to stand by Didi amid TMC rift

AMid reports of fractures within the Trinamool u.s. Congress (TMC), MP Shatrughan Sinha uttered his unrequited back up for company leader Mamata Banerjee on fri (June 12). He categorically rejected all claims of him shifting out of the party anytime soon as well as launching a scathing attack on those who have chosen to exit.Sinha expressed his unwavering support for his “only leader” Mamata Banerjee and reasserted his desire to stand with her during this “moment of trouble". "I am a strong supporter of people's happiness and sorrows, and I am with Mamta ji in this moment,” Sinha remarked. Also Read I Letter would be out if they had 20: Mahua Moitra challenges claim by TMC rebels“I was with her, and I will continue to be with her. For now, I have no intention of going in any other direction or forming any other alliance.” In addition, he referred to Mamata Banerjee as a “mature, tried, tested and successful leader” and stated that holding “41% of the vote” was no easy feat, an achievement that most political parties have been deprived of in today's landscape.Leaders exit the partyWhen asked about party colleagues who have to decided to exit, Sinha reaffirmed the need to stand by Mamata in the troubling times and even questioned why such leaders had chosen to exit at a particularly vulnerable moment in the party's legacy.Without naming TMC leader Saayoni Ghosh, Sinha accused several colleagues of copying “Didi” and then leaving her in desolation at a moment of internal crisis. He further labelled “greed, fear or the pressure of agencies” as possible reasons for leaders' exit.Also Read I 'Can't treat me like a dustbin': Kalyan Banerjee's outburst on Abhishek worsens TMC crisis"None of them are my leaders," Sinha reasserted. "I have only one leader, and that is Mamata Banerjee. Mamata Banerjee and only Mamata Banerjee."He then addressed senior colleague Kalyan Banerjee's concerns regarding the authoritative structure adopted by Abhishek Banerjee in handling and governing the party. Describing him an as “intellectual par excellence”, Sinha stated that Kalyan should address any grievances or statements via internal party channels instead.Also Read I ‘Arrogance', ‘nepotism’: Why is Abhishek Banerjee, not Mamata, the main problem of TMC rebelsWhen asked if he had any plans to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sinha acknowledged his “30-year-long association” with his former party but reaffirmed his support for those who stood by him in tough times."I cannot name anyone, but... Those who have supported me in my good and bad times, and especially in my bad times, Mamata ji came forward and she gave me the opportunity," he recognised. “Now my leader is Mamata Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee will remain. For now, I have no intention to go anywhere else.”(With ANI inputs)