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. Published - June 11, 2026 04:57 pm IST
