Mamata stood by me; now my duty to stand by her: Shatrughan

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective.

First Day First Show News and reviews from the world of cinema and streaming.

Today's Cache Your download of the top 5 technology stories of the day.

Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers

Health Matters Ramya Kannan writes to you on getting to good health, and staying there

The Hindu On Books Books of the week, reviews, excerpts, new titles and features.

TMC leader and Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Two Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MPs: Shatrughan Sinha and Pratima Mondol have publicly reaffirmed their loyalty to party founder and national President Mamata Banerjee, putting to rest talk of defection.

Actor-turned-politician Mr. Sinha who represents Asansol joined the TMC in 2022, after quitting the BJP and a short stint in the Congress. He said that Ms. Banerjee stood by him during a difficult time. “Today in her difficult phase, I cannot abandon her,” he said.

Mr. Sinha, who is a multi-term MP from Bihar, contested the bypoll from Asansol Lok Sabha constituency in 2022. “⁠I first came to Asansol at Didi’s invitation. In my very first election there, I won by a record-margin . I also won a second time by a significant margin,” he said.

Also read | Trinamool Congress MP Prakash Chik Barik resigns from Rajya Sabha

“After I lost the Patna election in 2019, I was in a difficult situation and very few people came to my aid. Mamata Banerjee was among the few who supported and encouraged me,” he said.

He rejected speculation that he had joined the rebels. “⁠I was elected on the Trinamool Congress symbol — the ‘Jora Phool’ — not once but twice, with the blessings of God. My principle is very clear: Mamata ji stood by me, it is now my duty to stand by her in this moment as well,” he added.

Ms. Mondol, a three-time MP from Jaynagar Lok Sabha seat, a reserved constituency, also distanced herself from the rebel group. “I have not signed any papers. I am not part of that group. I do not know why they are using my name,” she said.

parliament / politics (general) / national politics / All India Trinamool Congress