Didi’s axe falls on spokesman

Her efforts, however, have already invited criticism. Senior Trinamool leader Sougata Roy called the move ‘‘cosmetic’’. Others believe the party spokesman alone was targeted in the reshuffle.

Banerjee attended a Parliamentary Association workshop at Kuala Lumpur from May 25 to 30. The offer, Banerjee said, to attend the meet comprising 53 Commonwealth countries, was given to him by the Speaker who is the chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for this region. ‘‘The Speaker selected me to attend the meet,’’ said Banerjee.

Asked if his visit to Kuala Lumpur cost him the job, Banerjee said: ‘‘I would not like to believe that. Reshuffle in a political party is part of a natural process.’’ Trinamool sources, however, said Banerjee has, in private, expressed anguish over the move and has decided to withdraw from politics.

Meanwhile, the state Pradesh Congress Committee has taken serious exception to Mamata’s description of the party as ‘‘Marxist Congress’’. Largescale desertion from the Trinamool Congress is just a matter of time, PCC spokesman Manash Bhuniya said. She should get back to the Congress if she wants to take on the Marxists, he added.