With the resignation of West Bengal forest minister Rajib Banerjee on Friday, a total of three ministers quit the Mamata Banerjee-led Cabinet.
Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari and Lakshmi Ratan Shukla quit the Trinamool Congress government in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Banerjee submitted his resignation letter to West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Raj Bhavan on Friday.
After his resignation, Banerjee alleged, “unfair treatment” by Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee, says a media report.
In his resignation letter, Banerjee stated: “I regret to inform you that I hereby tender my resignation from my office as Cabinet Minister being in charge of forest department today, i.e. on 22nd of January, 2021. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of West Bengal. I heartily convey my gratitude for getting this opportunity.”
After the resignation by Banerjee, the TMC expelled his loyalist and the daughter of former ICC chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, Baishali Dalmiya, from the party, alleging her involvement on “anti-party activities” after she supported him and slammed the party leadership.
Rajib Banerjee and Jagmohan Dalmiya are MLAs from Howrah district.
Banerjee having a clean image was elected to the state Assembly for two terms from Domjur constituency.
He tendered his resignation after his visit to the Trinamool Congress chief’s residence at Kalighat.