W Bengal: Fresh Crisis for TMC and Mamata Banerjee: Kalyan Banerjee Targets Abhishek; Another Rajya Sabha MP Quits Party
Kolkata: West Bengal former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s troubles show no signs of abating. Internal strife within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is mounting, with leaders and MPs leaving the party. On Thursday, senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee openly expressed his displeasure and targeted Abhishek Banerjee, one of the party's top leaders.
Kalyan Banerjee stated that Mamata Banerjee must decide whether she wants to stand with him or with Abhishek Banerjee. He accused Abhishek of arrogance and disrespecting senior leaders, adding that this attitude has harmed the party.
Kalyan said, "If Mamata Didi wants to rely solely on Abhishek Banerjee, she should stick with him and let me go. But if she chooses a different path, I will stand by Mamata Didi."
His grievance reportedly stems from the way the party handled an alleged forged signature case. Kalyan claimed he was informed late at night that the lawyers handling the case—himself included—had been replaced. He described this move as insulting and shameful.
Third Rajya Sabha MP Resigns in Four Days
Adding to the party's woes, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from both the Rajya Sabha and the party on Thursday. He is the third TMC Rajya Sabha MP to leave the party in four days.
Earlier, Sushmita Dev had resigned on June 10, while Sukhendu Sekhar Roy had resigned from both the Rajya Sabha and the party on June 8.
After submitting his resignation, Prakash Chik Baraik stated that the TMC's poor performance in West Bengal influenced his decision. He noted that the party failed to win in his own constituency and performed poorly in North Bengal.
"I am not old yet. Time will tell what I do next," he said, hinting that he might soon clarify his future political plans.
Rebel faction claims support of 20 MPs
The crisis deepened when rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh claimed that 20 Lok Sabha MPs had formed a separate faction within the party. She also alleged that 58 out of the 80 TMC MLAs in West Bengal had joined this faction. According to Kakoli, the rebel MPs have decided to support the NDA and have submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Later, she met Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Delhi, alongside other rebel leaders.
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However, the names of all the rebel MPs have not been officially confirmed. A list containing 19 names had surfaced earlier this week, but some of the leaders included in it have denied being part of any separate faction.
Shatrughan Sinha dismissed speculation about leaving the party
TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha dismissed speculation about him leaving the party and reiterated his support for Mamata Banerjee.
He said, "Mamata Banerjee is a street fighter. Despite the current crisis, the party still enjoys strong public support."
Another TMC MP, Pratima Mondal, also clarified that she remains with the party.
Meanwhile, senior TMC leader Saugata Roy stated that cooperation between the Congress and the TMC is essential, though he did not comment on whether this cooperation would take the form of an alliance or a merger.
Rebels continue to target Abhishek
Former TMC leader Riju Dutta launched a scathing attack on Abhishek Banerjee, accusing him of sidelining and humiliating party leaders for years. He claimed that under Abhishek's leadership, MPs, MLAs, and even party spokespersons were treated poorly.
Kalyan Banerjee's son, Shirsanya Bandyopadhyay, also criticized Abhishek, stating that he does not trust those around him and is attempting to build a new leadership team within the party. With the daily escalation of resignations, rebellion, and public infighting, Mamata Banerjee is facing one of the toughest internal challenges of recent years. The political future of the alleged dissident faction and its impact on the TMC remain uncertain.