Patna, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha has reaffirmed his unwavering support for party supremo Mamata Banerjee, describing her as his “only leader”, while acknowledging that Abhishek Banerjee has made a significant contribution to strengthening the party and is among Parliament’s finest speakers.
In an interview, the actor-turned-politician said his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee stemmed from her support during a difficult phase in his political career.
Recalling his defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Patna as a Congress candidate, Sinha said Mamata Banerjee was the only senior leader who reached out to him. He said she later announced his candidature for the Asansol Lok Sabha bypoll without even consulting him, following Babul Supriyo’s resignation from the BJP.
“I had never even visited Asansol before, but I contested and won by a record margin. That reflected the faith Mamata Banerjee had in me,” he said, adding that he admired her as a grassroots leader, a street fighter and a strong political personality.
Referring to the political developments in West Bengal, Sinha said many leaders deserted the Trinamool Congress after the Assembly election setback. He maintained that he chose to stand by Mamata Banerjee because he believed in loyalty and principles.
“I neither fall for greed nor act out of fear. Once I consider someone a friend, I stand by that person,” he said.
On criticism directed at Trinamool National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Sinha clarified that while Mamata Banerjee remained his only leader, Abhishek had played an important role in the organisation.
“I don’t consider Abhishek Banerjee my leader, but he is a capable person, a good human being and a strong politician. Along with leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Sanjay Singh, he is one of the best orators in Parliament, presenting his arguments with facts and logic,” he said.
Sinha alleged that criticism against Abhishek began only after the party’s electoral setback and was driven largely by frustration among defeated leaders. He also rejected allegations directed at election strategist Prashant Kishor and the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), saying Kishor had already distanced himself from the organisation by then.
Commenting on Prashant Kishor’s victory in the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, Sinha described the Jan Suraaj founder as an educated, capable and mature leader.
He criticised attempts to label Kishor an “outsider”, noting that several prominent national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had contested elections from constituencies outside their home states.
“The people have spoken. A party that failed to win a single seat earlier has now defeated the BJP in Bankipur. That reflects the strength of democracy,” he remarked.
On the ongoing protests by students over alleged examination paper leaks, including demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and in Jharkhand, Sinha said the students’ demands were justified.
He said repeated incidents of examination paper leaks had eroded public confidence and criticised the government for failing to prevent such irregularities despite repeated assurances.
“If the government does not act, people will naturally raise their voices. Their concerns deserve to be addressed,” he said.
Asked about his expectations from the BJP government in West Bengal, Sinha said the state’s leadership should focus on maintaining law and order, communal harmony and development.
He said Bengal, particularly Asansol, had long been known for peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and expressed hope that the state’s leadership would preserve that tradition.
FOLLOW NOW
