TMC Rebels: Kirti Azad alleges BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to poach Mamata's soldiers failed
Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing its biggest crisis after losing the West Bengal Assembly elections and its ongoing inner turmoil has come out in the open. TMC MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad on Friday leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling it a failed 'Operation Lotus'.
The TMC MP claimed that through 'Operation Lotus', the BJP is trying to break the TMC and woo away the party's MPs, but so far they have failed in their conspiracy.
Rebel MPs seen at the houses of BJP leaders
Speaking on a specific set of events that have unfolded on the social media, TMC MP Kirti Azad called it a planned conspiracy to weaken the party. The rebel leader claimed that the 'Operation Lotus' is being supervised by Home Minister Amit Shah and evidence of it was the visit of the Rajya Sabha MP, who had resigned from TMC Prakash Chikbaraik, to the house of the BJP leader Nishikant Dubey in Delhi. Further, he stated that a section of rebellious TMC MPs have also been holding meetings at the home of Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav and the BJP leader Shuvendu Adhikari was seen visiting the residence of TMC MP Shatabdi Roy.
Kirti Azad on his security being withdrawn: 'Not going to be scared'
Also stating that his security has been withdrawn to create pressure on TMC leaders, Kirti Azad firmly stated, "Do you think we are people who will be cowed down? If we have come to politics to fight, then we will fight. I have also been an international cricketer and I have my own identity. Kirti Azad is not a person who will be cowed down."
How the signature of 19 TMC MPs spread tremors
Amidst the ongoing crisis, a list with the names and signatures of 19 TMC Lok Sabha MPs is also doing the rounds. Although the list of the original letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is not out yet, the rebel leaders claim that they have the support of over 20 Lok Sabha MPs and the names in this list include Yusuf Pathan, Rachna Banerjee, Shatabdi Roy, Sayani Ghosh and Deepak Adhikari (Dev).
Three senior most leader resigned this week
However, another blow for the TMC came on Thursday as a Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from his position both as an MP as well as from the party. With Baraik, this is the third leader this week who has stepped down from the party posts after Sukhendu Shekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev.
Direct revolt against Abhishek Banerjee
The inner conflict within the party has also become evident, with senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee spearheading a movement against party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee (nephew of Mamata Banerjee). Kalyan Banerjee has already made it clear that he will remain with the party if Abhishek Banerjee is removed from all positions in the party.
Intervening in the issue, Kirti Azad stated that Kalyan Banerjee might be getting emotional but he has been loyal to Mamata Banerjee throughout and has supported 'Didi' in all tough times, and would therefore never backstab her.
Many old time leaders stood by Mamata
However, it is to be seen whether the rebels will succeed in their plan or will Mamata Banerjee manage to pacify her party with the help of her loyalists; many veteran MPs like Saugata Roy, Shatrughan Sinha, Pratima Mandal and Babul Supriyo have already made their stance clear that they are nowhere a part of any rebellious group and are with Mamata Banerjee.
