August 6, 2025

In a dramatic turn of events, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faced intense internal conflict on Monday, leading to the resignation of Kalyan Banerjee as the party's Lok Sabha chief whip. This turmoil coincided with the significant appointment of Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as the new leader of the TMC in the Lok Sabha. The leadership change comes in light of Sudip Bandyopadhyay's health issues, prompting a quick decision during a brief 15-minute meeting attended by Mamata and all 41 party parliamentarians. During this meeting, sources revealed that Mamata admonished a few MPs for their actions that she believed tarnished the party's reputation, asserting that the party's interest surpasses individual disputes. Kalyan's resignation stems from a heated exchange with fellow MP Mahua Moitra. The friction reached a boiling point when Mahua, in a television interview, referenced Kalyan as "a pig" regarding campaign tactics against a female Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate, Dipsita Dhar, in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Facing criticism over his alleged misogynistic remarks, Mahua defended her position by stating, "You do not wrestle with a pig because the pig likes it and you get dirty," highlighting her perspective on dealing with problematic political behavior. In response, Kalyan attributed Mahua's outburst to her own "insecurity," condemning her name-calling as a reflection of weakness rather than strength. He declared, "Labelling a male colleague 'sexually frustrated' is not boldness, it is abuse." His comments raised eyebrows about the double standards of political discourse, where such labels might incite outrage if directed toward a woman instead. The public feud cast a shadow over Abhishek Banerjee's ascension as the new Lok Sabha leader. His leadership comes at a critical time for the party, already dealing with internal strife. During the virtual meeting attended by Kalyan from Delhi, Mamata highlighted a concerning lack of coordination among Lok Sabha MPs, indicating deeper issues within party dynamics. Kalyan expressed his regret for not managing the situation better, noting, "It reflects my failure," before officially announcing his resignation. Despite the turmoil caused by the spat and subsequent resignation, Kalyan stated he received a call from Abhishek shortly after stepping down, suggesting that discussions about the situation may continue. The internal conflicts among TMC MPs raise questions about the party's unity and strategy as they prepare for the forthcoming elections. The events of Monday underscore the significant challenges faced by TMC amidst growing political competition in Bengal, putting their cohesion and public image to the test. As the party navigates through these disruptions, Abhishek Banerjee now holds the pivotal role of steering TMC's direction in the Lok Sabha. The coming weeks will be crucial for TMC to manage internal conflicts while simultaneously addressing the concerns of voters ahead of the election. With the recent upheaval, how the party re-establishes its strategic focus will be keenly observed, especially by rivals looking to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses within TMC ranks.

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Tags: Trinamool congress, Abhishek banerjee, Kalyan banerjee, Mahua moitra, Political rivalry,