Kolkata, May 15 (IANS) Amid several party leaders turning rebellious after the Trinamool Congress’ defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, party supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday conveyed a clear message that those unwilling to stay with the party during the current crisis were free to leave immediately.

“A review meeting on the reasons for the defeat was conducted on Monday. There, the former Chief Minister gave a clear message that those leaders and workers who are thinking of quitting the Trinamool Congress could do so immediately and she would not make even the minimum effort to stop them. She also said that those who continue to remain with the party during this moment of crisis will emerge as pure gold assets and, with them, she would rebuild the Trinamool Congress,” said a party leader who attended the meeting and requested anonymity.

At the meeting, the leader added, Mamata Banerjee sought a report from the party leadership within the next seven days on restarting area-based public outreach programmes.

At the same time, she directed party leaders to begin block-level, town-level and area-level meetings wherever possible in the changed political scenario in the state.

She also asked district leaders to submit directly to her at her Kalighat residence-cum-office in south Kolkata a list of people allegedly displaced from their homes in the post-poll situation.

Mamata Banerjee also entrusted former West Bengal Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya, who is also a legal practitioner, with overseeing the process of extending legal assistance to people allegedly displaced because of post-poll violence.

“She also made it very clear that she continues to be the final authority in organisational matters in the Trinamool Congress. She also said that in case of any grievances, party leaders should express them within the party instead of making public statements or speaking to the media,” the party leader added.

–IANS

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