The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing one of the biggest internal crises in its history, with a growing number of leaders, MPs and MLAs openly questioning the leadership style of party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The latest flashpoint emerged after senior TMC leader and four-time MP Kalyan Banerjee publicly criticised Abhishek Banerjee, accusing him of arrogance and disrespect. The dispute centred around a legal case involving allegations of signature forgery by rebel legislators.
Kalyan Banerjee's Outburst
Kalyan Banerjee, a senior lawyer and one of the party's most vocal leaders, announced that he would no longer represent Abhishek Banerjee in court. He alleged that Abhishek interfered in the handling of a case related to the legislators' signature mismatch controversy and appointed another legal team without informing him.
Speaking to reporters, Kalyan Banerjee said he had spent decades in the legal profession and could not tolerate what he described as humiliation and disrespect. He went so far as to issue an ultimatum to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, saying she would have to choose between him and Abhishek Banerjee.
"He has destroyed our party," Kalyan Banerjee said, blaming Abhishek for the current crisis.
Son Joins Attack on Abhishek
The criticism intensified when Kalyan Banerjee's son, Sirsanya Bandopadhyay, also targeted Abhishek Banerjee.
Bandopadhyay claimed that his father's legal team had been working diligently on the case but was abruptly informed that their services were no longer required.
"We are not Abhishek Banerjee's employees," he said, accusing the TMC leader of trying to dictate legal strategy and displaying an overbearing attitude.
According to him, the core issue was Abhishek's inability to trust people around him and his tendency to create parallel teams rather than relying on experienced leaders.
Why Leaders Are Rebelling
The anger against Abhishek Banerjee extends beyond the legal dispute.
Several rebel leaders accuse him of centralising decision-making within the party, sidelining senior leaders and relying heavily on political consultancy firm I-PAC for organisational and electoral decisions.
Veteran leaders claim they are increasingly excluded from key decisions, while younger leaders and consultants exercise greater influence over candidate selection and party strategy.
Many within the party continue to express loyalty to Mamata Banerjee but are openly critical of Abhishek's growing control over the organisation.
MPs and MLAs Leaving the Party
The tensions have coincided with a wave of resignations and defections.
This week alone, Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the party.
Several leaders cited corruption, organisational decay and dissatisfaction with the party's leadership structure as reasons for their departure.
Ray, while announcing his resignation, alleged that party leaders had become disconnected from grassroots workers and that power had been concentrated among a small group of influential figures.
Signature Forgery Controversy
The rebellion gained momentum after allegations surfaced that signatures of several TMC MLAs had been forged on a resolution submitted to the Assembly Speaker regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition.
Rebel legislators, led by Ritabrata Chakraborty, claimed that signatures were used without consent. The matter prompted a police investigation and deepened divisions within the party.
Abhishek Banerjee came under scrutiny because the disputed resolution had reportedly been forwarded by him to the Assembly Speaker.
The controversy ultimately resulted in 58 rebel legislators being recognised as the principal opposition group in the West Bengal Assembly, marking a significant setback for the ruling party.
The Larger Challenge for Mamata Banerjee
The unfolding crisis presents one of the toughest political challenges for Mamata Banerjee since founding the TMC.
While she continues to command loyalty across large sections of the party, the growing resentment against her nephew and political heir has exposed fault lines between the party's old guard and a newer leadership structure centred around Abhishek Banerjee.
With resignations mounting, internal rebellion spreading and senior leaders openly questioning the party's direction, the TMC faces a crucial test ahead of future electoral battles in West Bengal.
