- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mamata Banerjee, who ruled West Bengal politics for 15 years, now appears to be cornered within her own party as rebellion, fragmentation, and conflict have clouded the TMC.
The dissenting voices are echoing one after another since the day the election results for the West Bengal Assembly were declared on May 4.
With more than 60 MLAs rebelling, 19 Lok Sabha MPs forming a separate faction, and 4 Rajya Sabha MPs resigning, Kalyan Banerjee, considered Mamata's most trusted confidante, has now openly raised the banner of revolt. He launched a direct attack on Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee, issuing an ultimatum, "Either Abhishek, or me."
The entire matter is linked to the alleged forged signatures case, which led to revolt in the TMC legislative party soon after the polls. The matter was to be heard in the Calcutta High Court on Thursday. Late Wednesday night, before the hearing, Kalyan Banerjee's son received a call from Abhishek, who said that another lawyer, who is much junior to Kalyan in the legal profession, would represent him in the case.
In protest, Kalyan refused to represent him, calling the entire episode disrespectful and Abhishek 'arrogant'. He said, "I have been in the legal profession for the last 45 years. I will not tolerate Abhishek Banerjee's arrogance.
"I have decided to stay away from any legal matters involving Abhishek Banerjee. His ever-growing arrogance is unimaginable," he said. He also asked Mamata to choose either him or Abhishek.
Will Kalyan join rebel bloc?
Kalyan has not reacted to the possibilities of his joining the rebel Lok Sabha MP bloc, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. In fact, Kakoli's differences with the party reportedly started after she was removed from the post of party whip and Kalyan was appointed as her successor.
On the other hand, TMC leaders from Mamata's camp have also adopted a careful tone for Kalyan, calling him an emotional but firm soldier of Mamata Banerjee.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, while talking to the media, refused to contradict his remarks calling Abhishek arrogant. He said, "Kalyan Banerjee has the right to decide whose case he wants to take up. There can be no comment made on it."
When asked about his comments on Abhishek, Ghosh said, "He is our senior & experienced leader and a soldier of Mamata Banerjee. I am not giving any contradictions or comments on his assessment."
Kirti Azad, who has also rallied behind Mamata in times of crisis, acknowledged that the last-minute information about a change in legal representation wasn't right but added that 'Didi will set things right.'
While talking to news agency ANI, he said, "Kalyan Banerjee is a fighter; he has stood by Didi from the very beginning until today. Kalyan Banerjee isn't going anywhere. He is an emotional man; he has feelings, and we ought to value and respect those sentiments. Once Didi speaks to him, the matter will be resolved. There was one issue: he should have been informed earlier that someone else was going to contest the case. Being told at the very last minute wasn't right. So, I understand why he is angry; that anger is completely justified and valid. But Didi will set things right..."