TMC Turmoil: MP Kalyan Banerjee’s Outburst Highlights Growing Rift Ahead of Bengal Polls

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee has openly criticized a fellow female MP, calling her “rude” and “uncivilised.”

His remarks reflect deepening cracks within the ruling TMC in Bengal, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can ill afford ahead of the upcoming Assembly election.

Banerjee’s comments were made during a press interaction, where he also lashed out at senior leader Saugata Roy for his reaction to leaked WhatsApp chats from the party’s MPs group, now in the hands of the BJP.

Clash Over Election Commission Visit

The tensions stem from a recent disagreement involving Banerjee and other party MPs, including Kirti Azad, during a scheduled visit to the Election Commission (EC).

Banerjee stated that he was told 27 MPs would sign and deliver a memorandum but was not informed who specifically would be involved.

As Banerjee arrived at the EC office, a female MP reportedly confronted him over her name being left off the list. “She shouted… that her name had been deliberately removed,” Banerjee said, clarifying he had no knowledge of the names involved.

“She shouted and I responded… Then she ran to the BSF and asked them to arrest me!” he continued.

Expressing his dismay, Banerjee said, “This lady has no issue except with Modi… she never challenges any other BJP leader, even from Bengal. How dare she ask for my arrest?”

Banerjee Threatens to Resign

Banerjee didn’t hold back. “If didi (Mamata Banerjee) says I am wrong, I shall quit politics forever,” he declared.

He expressed his unwillingness to tolerate pressure from the female MP regarding her speaking time in Parliament. “I can take pressure from anyone but I cannot take from that MP… for saying I have to allot her more minutes,” he said.

While the female MP has yet to respond, she appears to have support from Kirti Azad, another TMC MP who joined from the BJP in 2023. A video of the confrontation, apparently filmed secretly, has since surfaced online, shared by BJP’s Amit Malviya.

BJP’s Amit Malviya Shares Leaked Footage

Malviya posted a video of Banerjee’s angry comments, in which he appears to criticize colleagues who joined the party from rival outfits.

The clip includes a veiled reference to the woman MP and Kirti Azad. He also posted screenshots of WhatsApp chats between Banerjee and Azad, where both MPs exchange harsh words.

Azad allegedly accuses Banerjee of drinking too much, while Banerjee references “the beautiful activities of versatile international lady.”

Malviya suggested that the public clash erupted because the MP carrying the memorandum bypassed the Parliament office and went straight to the EC, ignoring instructions for MPs to gather at Parliament first. This reportedly triggered the female MP’s anger.

Sougata Roy Draws Fire from Banerjee

In response to Saugata Roy’s criticism of the leaked chats being a “shame,” Banerjee shot back harshly. “Does Sougata Roy have a character? His nature is to disturb all… he has not liked me since 2001… (he) was caught taking cash!” Banerjee said, referencing the 2014 Narada sting operation where Roy and others were filmed allegedly accepting bribes.

Banerjee also accused Azad of furthering personal agendas. “He was running a signature campaign for a sweet shop to open its outlet in Parliament… I protested against that. It was not the agenda of our party. It was his agenda.”

Incident Prompts Complaints to Mamata Banerjee

Following the altercation at the EC office, both MPs reportedly filed complaints with Mamata Banerjee. Sources told CNN-News18 that the dispute began a day earlier when a deputation letter signed by Banerjee excluded the woman MP’s name.

The next day, the confrontation escalated, with the female MP asking security personnel to intervene and demanding Banerjee’s arrest for alleged misconduct.

Roy Responds to the Fallout

Saugata Roy, speaking to CNN-News18, expressed disappointment over the incident. “I felt very bad about such internal conflict within the party,” he said.

Roy explained that he heard about the altercation while briefing media at Vijay Chowk. He stated the woman MP confronted a senior male MP over the missing signature, which allegedly led to near assault and her appeal to security personnel for help.