Mamata Banerjee appoints nephew Abhishek Banerjee as TMC Lok Sabha party chief, replaces Sudip Bandyopadhyay
'With full commitment and humility, I take on this responsibility and pledge to work closely with all my colleagues to ensure that Trinamool's voice remains strong and unwavering in Parliament. Together, we will continue to resist the authoritarianism of the Union Government and defend the core values of our Constitution - JUSTICE, LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND FRATERNITY,' he stated.
'Our mission remains clear: To protect the rights, respect and aspirations of the people of Bengal. I thank every dedicated worker and supporter of the @AITCofficial for their continued belief in me and our cause and I am also extremely grateful to our senior parliamentarians for their invaluable support, guidance and encouragement,' the post added.
The development marks a significant step in consolidating Abhishek's stature within the party, adding to his role as national general secretary — widely seen as the second-most important position in the TMC. Political observers called the decision 'inevitable', given Abhishek's growing influence over party affairs in recent years. He was also designated as the TMC's 'Delhi spokesperson' during the working committee meeting in November last year.
Sources said Mamata addressed Sudip Bandyopadhyay directly during the virtual meeting and asked him to rest and focus on recovery. 'Didi told him that Abhishek will look after the Lok Sabha responsibilities now, including preparing the list of speakers and obtaining her approval,' said an MP present in the meeting. When Bandyopadhyay offered to return to Delhi, Mamata reportedly told him it was not necessary.
Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who has been battling illness for months, has not attended a single sitting of the current Parliament session. Another TMC veteran, Saugata Roy, is also unwell and currently hospitalised.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
SC to hear plea on J&K statehood on August 8
NEW DELHI The Supreme Court will take up on Friday an application seeking restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir in a timebound manner. On Tuesday, the application was mentioned by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for the two applicants, academic Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and social activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The hearing in the top court came amid speculation of possible restoration of statehood to J&K after a tweet posted by chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday sharing his 'gut feeling' that he is 'optimistic' about 'something positive' for the Union territory during Parliament's ongoing monsoon session. On August 5, 2019 the state was bifurcated into two Union territories following the abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament. On Tuesday, the application was mentioned by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for the two applicants, academic Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and social activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, who had in October 2024 approached the top court to consider restoration of statehood within a specific time frame, preferably within two months. Appearing before a bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai, the senior advocate said that the matter is showing on the list of business for August 8 and requested that the same should not be deleted. The CJI allowed the request by passing a short order, 'Not to be deleted'. A five-judge Constitution bench of the top court had on December 11, 2023 unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370 and directed state elections to be conducted by September 2024. The application has been filed in the previously concluded 'In Re: Article 370 of the Constitution' case. Following elections held in three phases from September 18 to October 1 last year, a new government was formed by the National Conference-Congress alliance. National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah was sworn in as chief minister. The verdict by the Constitution bench called the abrogation the 'culmination of the process of integration' of the erstwhile state into the Union of India. It held the abrogation to be a perfectly valid exercise of power by the President, ruling that Article 370 was always meant to be a temporary provision. However, on the issue of restoration of statehood, the court chose not to give a ruling on whether the reorganisation of the state into two Union territories was constitutionally permissible. It pointed to the Centre's statement that statehood of J&K would be restored eventually. The judgment emphasised that the same should be done 'at the earliest'. The application filed through advocate Soyaib Qureshi said, 'The non-restoration of the status of statehood of Jammu & Kashmir in a timebound manner violates the idea of federalism which forms a part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India.' It further stated that the prolonged Union territory status is unwarranted and calls for prompt action in accordance with the assurance given by the Centre in earlier proceedings.
Deccan Herald
4 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Amendments proposed to Sports Bill to keep BCCI out of RTI ambit
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had on July 23 introduced the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha.
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
Former BJP Spokesperson Appointed Bombay HC Judge; Oppn Slams Move: 'Blow To Democracy'
Arati Sathe's appointment drew criticism from Opposition, who have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the need to preserve impartiality of the judiciary The appointment of Advocate Arati Sathe as a judge of the Bombay High Court stirred political controversy in Maharashtra, following revelations that she had previously served as the official spokesperson for the Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on July 28, approved the elevation of Ajit Bhagwantrao Kadehankar, Arati Arun Sathe, and Sushil Manohar Ghodeswar as judges of the Bombay High Court. Sathe's appointment drew criticism from Opposition leaders, who have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the need to preserve the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader and MLA Rohit Pawar voiced strong objections, sharing a screenshot of a letter issued on Maharashtra BJP letterhead naming Sathe as the party's spokesperson — a post she herself had acknowledged on social media. Pawar described the appointment as a serious threat to democratic principles. 'The appointment of a person who advocates for the ruling party from a public platform as a judge is the greatest blow to democracy," he said. 'Such appointments will have far-reaching consequences on the impartiality of the Indian judicial system." He further cited concerns about the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers. 'Doesn't the appointment of a political spokesperson as a judge undermine the principle of separation of powers and, by extension, constitute an attempt to subvert the Constitution?" he asked. Highlighting the broader implications, Pawar stated: 'When a person appointed as a judge in a High Court has a political background and has held a position in the ruling party, who can guarantee that the process of delivering justice will not be tainted by political bias? Doesn't the appointment of a single political figure raise questions about the entire process of justice delivery?" While clarifying that he had no objection to Sathe's legal qualifications, Pawar said the issue lies in public perception and trust in judicial impartiality. 'The appointment of such a person strikes at the sentiment of ordinary citizens that 'justice is delivered without any bias,'" he added, urging the government to reconsider the decision. 'The Honorable Chief Justice should also provide guidance on this matter." BJP Counters Responding to the controversy, Maharashtra BJP media cell in-charge Navnath Bang confirmed that Sathe had been a spokesperson for the party. However, he emphasised that she had resigned from the role prior to her judicial appointment. Further, Maharashtra BJP's chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye asked the Congress and Rohit Pawar to answer a few questions. 'Justice Baharul Islam was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 1962 as a Congress candidate. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1968. During this time, he also contested the Assam Legislative Assembly elections but was defeated." 'In 1972, he resigned from the Rajya Sabha and was appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court. In March 1980, he retired from the judiciary and re-entered politics," Upadhye said in a clear swipe at the Congress. 'After his retirement, Indira Gandhi's government appointed him as a judge of the Supreme Court in December 1980. In 1983, after he acquitted the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra, in a corruption case and faced criticism for it; he resigned from the post of judge. Subsequently, in the same year (1983), the Congress party appointed him again to the Rajya Sabha," he added. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : BJP Bombay HC maharashtra view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
