Minister Rajib Banerjee resigns from Mamata cabinet
KOLKATA: In yet another jolt for the TMC dispensation, West Bengal forest minister Rajib Banerjee quit the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, joining the growing list of dissenters who have put the ruling camp in a tight spot ahead of the assembly elections.
The TMC, however, asserted that Banerjee’s move would have no impact on the party. Banerjee, while talking to reporters, said he was forced to take this decision after being publicly humiliated by a section of the party’s leaders for airing his grievances over their style of functioning.
He, however, declined to comment when asked if he plans to quit the party in the days to come. “I had grievances against some of the party’s senior members and informed the leadership about it. I also had a word with party supremo, but nothing happened. Instead, I was personally attacked by a section of leaders. “I was hurt by the personal attacks. Hence, I resigned from the state cabinet,” he said.
In his letter to the chief minister, however, the TMC MLA did not cite any reason for quitting the cabinet. “It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of West Bengal. I heartily convey my gratitude for getting this opportunity,” he said in the letter. The Domjur MLA also met Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation, and held a meeting with him for an hour.
“Shri Rajib Banerjee, Minister for Forest Affairs @MamataOfficial called on me and handed over a letter of resignation from the Council of Ministers. He was indicated that steps by the constitution would be taken,” Dhankhar tweeted. Incidentally, Banerjee had skipped the last five cabinet meetings, amid murmurs that he was trying to distance himself from the party leadership. Sharing his resignation letter on Facebook, Banerjee said that he hopes that he will be able to continue to work for the people of the state in the days to come.