Kalyan Banerjee & Kirti Azad (Image source: ANI)

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad on Thursday described Kalyan Banerjee as a loyal and long-standing supporter of party chief Mamata Banerjee adding there was no question of him leaving the party.His remarks came amid recent tensions within the TMC, involving senior MP Kalyan’s publicly expressing dissatisfaction with the party leadership and questioning the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee.“Kalyan Banerjee is a fighter. He has stood by Didi from the very beginning until today. He is an emotional man and his sentiments should be respected,” Azad said.He added that the dispute stemmed from Kalyan Banerjee not being informed in advance that another lawyer would represent Abhishek Banerjee in a legal matter.According to Azad, Mamata Banerjee’s intervention would help resolve the issue and restore harmony within the party. “Didi will set things right”, he said.What did Kalyan Banerjee say?Trinamool Congress MP and Mamata Banerjee loyalist Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday gave an ultimatum to the party supremo saying that she “will have to choose if she is with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee or a senior party worker like me.”“I am with Mamata Banerjee, but Didi will have to decide if she is with Abhishek or the TMC. Mamata di has to decide first. If she cannot run the party without Abhishek, then I will not be there,” the four-time Lok Sabha MP and senior advocate told IANS.These remarks come amid growing tensions within the TMC following its recent electoral setback in the West Bengal assembly elections and signs of unrest within the party.Azad dismissed merger speculationTMC’s Azad also dismissed speculation about a merger between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress, asserting that reports suggesting such a move were incorrect.Speaking to ANI in Delhi, Azad said the two parties would continue to work together as part of an electoral alliance.“There will be no merger; that is all incorrect news. The election will be contested as an alliance, and the alliance will remain intact,” Azad said.His remarks come amid political discussions over opposition unity ahead of upcoming elections and reports of closer coordination between the two parties.