Mamata tells TMC defectors go ahead while she vows to rebuild the party from shattered election defeat

She told leaving leaders they can walk out freely

After TMC’s sharp defeat in West Bengal’s assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee met contesting candidates at her Kalighat residence and urged them to rebuild the party. She said anyone who wants to quit for other parties should leave, pledging she will revive TMC “afresh.” The message came as speculation of defections grew and the party shifted to opposition. TMC won 80 seats out of 294 total, with 211 candidates losing, and Banerjee herself defeated in Bhabanipur.