Mamata Banerjee snaps ties with brother Babun Banerjee after revolt from within family over Lok Sabha poll candidature

Speaking to ABP Ananda, Babun claimed several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders were more deserving than sitting MP Prasun Banerjee, a former footballer, who has been given a ticket from Howrah again.

Babun said, "I am not happy with Prasun Banerjee. He can't work for people and there were more deserving leaders for the candidature."

Babun also went on to announce he would contest from Howrah as an independent candidate but denied any possible entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Mamata Banerjee may get offended but I will fight as an independent candidate," he told the Bengali news channel.

Responding to it, Mamata, who was in Siliguri for administrative and political works on Wednesday, announced she has severed her relationship with Babun, who is the chairman of TMC Sports Cell.

"From today, I have severed my relationship with him. Please do not link me with him anymore. This is the prime example that I am against dynastic politics. Prasun Banerjee is the most deserving candidate for Howrah," said the TMC chief.

"Sometimes people become too greedy. I don't like that. People of West Bengal are my family," she added.

On whether BJP has a role in Babun's statement, the TMC supremo said, "BJP always does this. They always try to break families."

Following Mamata's strong words, Babun posted a Facebook video and called the rumour of him switching to the BJP "fake".

"The news claiming I am joining the BJP is fake. I believe in staying with Mamata Banerjee as long as she is there in West Bengal," said Babun.