Internal Strife Deepens in Trinamool Congress
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament, Kalyan Banerjee, has publicly challenged the party's general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, delivering a stark ultimatum to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On June 11, 2026, Banerjee demanded that Mamata choose between him and her nephew, citing Abhishek's "arrogant attitude" and accusing him of undermining the party.
Kalyan Banerjee, a veteran advocate with 45 years of experience, expressed profound humiliation after being reportedly dropped as counsel at the last moment in a significant signature forgery case involving Abhishek Banerjee. "I will not appear for Abhishek Banerjee in any case because I do not like his arrogant attitude... How can he humiliate me? I am senior to him in politics as well. He cannot do this," Banerjee stated, emphasizing his political and professional seniority.
Allegations of Humiliation and Disrespect
The outburst followed the Calcutta High Court granting interim protection from arrest to Abhishek Banerjee in the forgery case, directing him to appear before the West Bengal CID. Kalyan Banerjee alleged he was informed late on Wednesday night that he was no longer required to represent Abhishek in the forgery case, and a different lawyer, Kishore Datta, would handle a related CID search operation case.
"I am with Mamata Di, but she needs to choose now. It is too humiliating. At midnight, I was told the lawyer had been changed... For him, the party has been destroyed," Banerjee told reporters. He conveyed his unequivocal stance to Mamata Banerjee: "either keep Abhishek and let us go, or keep us and remove Abhishek."
Broader Party Rebellion
Kalyan Banerjee also attributed the TMC's recent electoral setbacks and current internal turmoil directly to Abhishek. "He needs to understand that it is because of him that we lost. He also needs to understand that the party is facing this crisis because of him," he asserted, vowing not to tolerate such disrespect.
This internal rift comes amid broader instability within the Trinamool Congress. Reports indicate that approximately 20 TMC MPs are contemplating forming a rebel faction to potentially align with the NDA. Adding to the pressure, Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned on Thursday, marking the third TMC MP to quit the Upper House within the week, following the resignations of Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev.