Behind TMC shake-up, Abhishek's elevation: Mamata Banerjee tasks nephew with keeping party MPs in check

Indian Express

18 hours ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appointed her nephew and second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) parliamentary party on Monday, even as she said, without naming anyone, that two to three MPs were 'bringing the party into disrepute' and 'no individual is bigger than the organisation'. The TMC chief's comments came as a feud between MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra erupted once again, months after they were involved in an altercation on the premises of the Election Commission's (EC) office in Delhi.
Abhishek replaces veteran MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who has been unwell, as the TMC's parliamentary party leader. Sources said while the CM praised the performance of the Rajya Sabha MPs, she said there were some 'loose ends' in the Lok Sabha and insinuated that Kalyan had failed to properly coordinate in the absence of Bandyopadhyay and Saugata Roy, another veteran MP. 'Sudip da said he was doing better and if Didi wanted, he would go to Delhi on Tuesday. But, Didi told him, 'No need, Abhishek will take charge as the Lok Sabha leader and choose the party's speakers on different issues.' She told Sudip da he should rest,' said a senior MP.
Shortly after the meeting, Kalyan announced his resignation as the Chief Whip, but Abhishek asked him to reconsider the decision, according to an insider. The Serampore MP later told a Bangla news channel, 'Didi made the point that proper coordination is not happening in the Lok Sabha. If I am guilty of that … that's why I resigned. Abhishek Banerjee spoke to me for 10 minutes. He advised me not to step down and that he would discuss the matter on August 7 when he comes here … What can I do if most of the MPs remain absent regularly? A South Kolkata MP remains absent, so does a Bankura MP. There are so many. Sudip da never comes. Last session, he came but was silent. If Sudip da is unwell, how am I to be blamed? (Deputy Leader) Kakoli (Ghosh Dastidar) comes sometimes. Is the entire responsibility mine? Does Mamata Banerjee know how the work in Parliament is going on? I did the work I was assigned, but I am not a scholar from Oxford or Cambridge and do not wear expensive sarees. Those who criticise Mamata Banerjee are being rewarded (by her).'
Kalyan also took to X to hit out at Mahua, the Krishnanagar MP, following her recent comments about him in an 'India Today' podcast. 'You don't wrestle with a pig. Because the pig likes it and you get dirty. There are deeply misogynistic, sexually frustrated, depraved men in India and they have their representation in Parliament across all parties,' Mahua said when asked about him.
Kalyan said the comments were 'unfortunate' and 'reflect a deep disregard for basic norms of civil discourse'.
I have taken note of the recent personal remarks made by Ms. Mahua Moitra in a public podcast. Her choice of words, including the use of dehumanising language such as comparing a fellow MP to a 'pig', is not only unfortunate but reflects a deep disregard for basic norms of civil…
— Kalyan Banerjee (@KBanerjee_AITC) August 4, 2025
'Labelling a male colleague as 'sexually frustrated' isn't boldness, it's outright abuse,' he wrote on X. 'If such language were directed at a woman, there would be nationwide outrage, and rightly so. But when a man is the target, it's dismissed or even applauded. Let's be clear: abuse is abuse — regardless of gender. Such remarks are not just indecent, they reinforce a toxic double standard where men are expected to silently endure what would never be tolerated if roles were reversed.'
He told the news channel that instead of taking action against Mahua, the party was 'targeting' him. 'I have ethics and culture. Mamata di knows everything. She runs the party. That is why I resigned. Didi said she was not consulted while choosing speakers. She was consulted. I can't accept injustice … I have a good relationship with Abhishek, he is competent.'
In April, the two had clashed after a TMC delegation went to the EC office to submit a memorandum on the duplication of electoral ID numbers. At the time, TMC insiders said the spat took place after Mahua found her name missing from the list of parliamentarians to have signed the memorandum. She alleged Kalyan had abused her and urged the security officials to arrest him.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee took to X to announce Abhishek's appointment. 'Given that our Lok Sabha leader, Sudip Banerjee, is unwell and undergoing medical treatment, the MPs have unanimously decided to entrust Abhishek Banerjee with the responsibility of leading the party in the Lok Sabha as the leader of the party until Sudip da returns to good health. We pray for Sudip da's swift recovery and look forward to his continued guidance, enriched by his experience and deep knowledge of parliamentary proceedings.'
Thanking her, Abhishek pledged to work closely with all the party's MPs to 'ensure that Trinamool's voice remains strong and unwavering in Parliament'.
'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,' he wrote on X.
— With ENS Delhi inputs