Kalyan-Abhishek truce offers lifeline to TMC amid internal turmoil

Amid a mounting rebellion within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Mamata Banerjee-led official faction appeared to get some respite after senior leader Kalyan Banerjee softened his stance following a public spat with party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

Kalyan Banerjee, a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, had earlier launched a sharp attack on Abhishek Banerjee, accusing him of “destroying the party” and fuelling speculation that he might align with the rebel camp. However, Abhishek attempted to ease tensions on Friday, describing Kalyan as an elder who had “brought him up” politically and therefore had the right to criticise him.

Following the conciliatory remarks, Kalyan responded positively, saying: “I welcome his statement. He is just like my son. It is good that he has understood his mistake. All of us have to work and fight together against the BJP.”

Kalyan, a senior lawyer and key TMC troubleshooter, had earlier questioned Abhishek’s leadership style and declared that he would no longer appear in court cases linked to the Diamond Harbour MP. He had also alleged that Abhishek’s “arrogance had crossed all limits” and hinted that he would reconsider his future in the party if tensions continued.

A day after his outburst, Kalyan was conspicuous by his absence at a high-level meeting convened by Mamata Banerjee at her residence to review the party’s internal situation. The absence fuelled speculation that Kalyan could join the growing rebel camp within the party’s parliamentary and organisational ranks.

On Saturday, however, Kalyan told CNN-News18 that he would remain with the TMC despite the ongoing crisis, stressing that the party’s primary focus should be on taking on the BJP-led NDA.

“I have seen Abhishek grow up. He has said that I can tell him things, so it’s okay. Now we have to fight against the NDA,” he said.

The TMC is currently facing its most serious internal crisis since its formation, following its poor electoral performance, with several MPs and MLAs openly challenging the party leadership.

Earlier this week, a group of 20 Lok Sabha MPs led by chief whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar reportedly wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate bloc supporting the BJP-led NDA.

In the West Bengal Assembly as well, 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs allegedly broke ranks and backed expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition instead of the party’s official nominee, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay.