TMC – Abhishek Banerjee Seeks to Ease Tensions Amid Party Dispute
TMC – Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress and a Member of Parliament, sought to downplay recent disagreements within the party on Saturday. Responding to remarks made by senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee, Abhishek maintained a respectful tone and stressed their long-standing personal relationship.
Abhishek Responds With Restraint
Speaking to reporters, Abhishek Banerjee said Kalyan Banerjee is senior to him and has every right to express his opinions. He noted that Kalyan has known him since childhood and made it clear that he would not make any negative comments about the veteran leader.
His response came shortly after Kalyan Banerjee publicly criticized him over developments related to a signature forgery case. The dispute centers on legal representation and the handling of court proceedings connected to the matter.
Disagreement Over Legal Strategy
Kalyan Banerjee, who had been representing Abhishek in the case, alleged that another lawyer was appointed without prior discussion or consultation. According to him, the move left him sidelined despite his active involvement in the proceedings.
Explaining his concerns, Kalyan said he had spent several hours in court while waiting for the matter to be heard. He stated that after making submissions before the vacation bench, he was informed that the case would be taken up on a later date. He also questioned why a separate legal petition was filed after a search operation without discussing the strategy with him first.
The senior leader argued that the issue had already been raised through an existing criminal revision petition and therefore did not require an additional filing. His remarks reflected frustration over what he described as a lack of communication regarding legal decisions.
Ultimatum to Party Leadership
The disagreement escalated when Kalyan Banerjee reportedly issued a strong message to party chief Mamata Banerjee. He suggested that the leadership would need to decide whether to stand with him or with Abhishek Banerjee in the ongoing dispute.
Kalyan also described Abhishek as being responsible for the current tensions within sections of the party. The comments marked one of the sharpest public criticisms directed at the TMC MP by a senior member of the organization.
Communication With Senior Leaders
Kalyan Banerjee revealed that he had spoken with senior TMC leader Derek O’Brien regarding the matter. However, he said that Mamata Banerjee had not personally contacted him at the time of his remarks.
He further indicated that he would continue handling legal matters related to the Trinamool Congress and other clients. At the same time, he drew a distinction between party-related responsibilities and his professional engagement with Abhishek Banerjee.
Internal Challenges for the Trinamool Congress
The latest exchange comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing increasing discussions about internal divisions and factional differences. The party has also witnessed the departure of several Rajya Sabha members in recent months, adding to speculation about organizational challenges.
While senior leaders have attempted to contain the fallout, the public nature of the disagreement has drawn significant political attention. Observers will now be watching closely to see whether the party leadership takes steps to resolve the differences and restore unity within the organization.