With the Lok Sabha election due next year, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee sent out a stern message to her party workers today, asking them to desist from infighting and complacency and work unitedly.
She also accused a section of the party workers in the tribal Junglemahal area of remaining inactive during last month's panchayat polls, which she said had led to the TMC's defeat in some of the seats.
"We had formed the party (TMC) after years of struggle. We have come to power with the people's support. If some (party cadre) think they are bigger than the party, the doors are open for them to leave. Only Mamata Banerjee will work and others will enjoy the fruits of being in power -- that cannot be the way," Banerjee told a meeting of the party's extended core committee.
Stating that some in the party did not work "properly", she said, "Nobody should think that they are above the party. You should remember that two ministers have recently resigned for the party's poor performance in the panchayat polls."
Continuing with her diatribe, the chief minister said, "Those who are making money in the name of the party should stop such things. This will not be tolerated. There are leaders who are only busy to get new posts. I ask them to reach out to the masses and if they are unwilling to do so, they are free to leave the TMC."
Referring to reports of clashes between the members of the TMC and its youth wing, she said, "This too will not be tolerated. The Trinamool Youth Congress should keep it in mind that the TMC is the mother party and it is one of its arms."