Two Key TMC Leaders Quit Posts, Party

Kolkata: In a fresh jolt to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, 10 rebel TMC MLAs lodged a complaint with the cyber crime cell of the Bidhannagar City Police on Thursday, seeking a probe into the deposit of ill-gotten money in the party's bank account.

Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said, "We want to know if any proceeds of cut-money or theft and dacoity or any illegal or criminal activity were sent to party's bank account."

On Friday, former ministers Jyotipriyo Mullick and Goutam Deb, who were appointed national executive members just two weeks ago, resigned from their posts. They had lost the recent Assembly elections. While Mullick stepped down from all party posts citing ill-health, Deb resigned as Siliguri Mayor. They also announced their exit from politics.

Mullick, in his letter to Banerjee, said he was suffering from high sugar levels and his kidney had stopped functioning. “According to the doctor's advice, I need a complete rest. It is also not possible for me to undertake any mental and physical stress,” he said.

Deb stepped down as Siliguri Municipal Corporation Mayor in the afternoon, saying: “I was in politics for 52 years during which I saw many ups and downs. I thank the people of Siliguri for allowing me to serve them. Many welfare projects are underway for them. I tried to give them my best.”