Sobhandeb backs down from rebellious stand, not to quit party

"I love the ideals of the party. I am with the party because of my leader (Mamata) Banerjee. And there is no question of leaving the party because of internal feud," Chattopadhyay said.

The comments by Chattopadhyay, who is the government chief whip in the Assembly, at a meeting of railway employees association affiliated to the TMC's labour wing, were made a day after Banerjee called on him at her chamber in the Assembly.

The leader had tried to meet her in the last few days following his angry rhetoric.

Chattopadhyay wanted the party leadership to act against members of his party's trade union wing who had allegedly assaulted him in the Calcutta University campus when he went to meet the pro vice-chancellor on November 27.

Raising a banner of open revolt, the leader last Sunday had said the chief minister was surrounded by 'opportunists'.

"I am not leaving the party immediately, but If I cannot remain in the party with respect and protection I have to think about my future course of action," he had said earlier.