The internal turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) took a dramatic turn on Thursday, 11th June, when senior party MP and advocate Kalyan Banerjee publicly attacked party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and even asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to choose between him and her nephew.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Kalyan Banerjee expressed anger over being replaced as legal counsel in the case related to alleged signature forgery and searches involving Abhishek Banerjee. The veteran TMC leader accused Abhishek of showing arrogance and disrespect, claiming that the ongoing troubles within the party were largely because of his behaviour.
Row over legal representation
Explaining what led to the fallout, Kalyan Banerjee said he had been handling a criminal revision petition on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee and had spent several hours in court pursuing the matter. He said he was surprised to learn that another lawyer had been sent by Abhishek without consulting him.
“One criminal revision petition was filed, which was listed on Friday before the vacation bench. Six hours I sat for that matter. The matter was not called on; in the end I mentioned it before the Honourable judge,” Kalyan Banerjee said.
Kolkata, West Bengal: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, "I am with the Mamata Banerjee. But Mamata Di has to decide whether Mamata Di will keep Abhishek or keep myself…Mamata Di has to decide first. Mamata Di has to first decide that she cannot move the party without Abhishek… pic.twitter.com/HIq0zDoy06
— IANS (@ians_india) June 11, 2026
He further stated that he had already raised the matter before the court when he discovered that a separate writ petition had been filed. “Yesterday, a lawyer came saying Abhishek Banerjee had sent him. Then said that another writ petition has been filed regarding the search. I had already mentioned the matter in the criminal revision; why did you file the petition without consulting me?” he asked.
Clearly upset, he announced that he would no longer represent Abhishek Banerjee in any legal matter. “It is better that one person handles the matter. If you think that I cannot handle it, you take the matter and don’t treat me as a dustbin. Inform me within an hour. Today, I was informed by my son that I will not appear. Henceforth, I will not be appearing in any matter on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee,” he said.
‘Party is facing problems because of him’
Kalyan Banerjee did not stop there. He directly accused Abhishek Banerjee of creating problems for the party through what he described as an arrogant attitude. “I don’t like this arrogant attitude. One must respect the seniors. How can he humiliate me? He should understand that the party is facing problems because of him. But he goes and disrespects everyone. This is not tolerable,” he said.
In perhaps his strongest statement, the TMC MP appealed directly to Mamata Banerjee. “I will urge Didi: if you will remain dependent on Abhishek Banerjee, then stick with him-leave me. But if you part ways with Abhishek Banerjee, then I am with you,” he added.
Kalyan Banerjee also revealed that senior TMC leader Derek O’Brien had contacted him regarding the issue, but Mamata Banerjee herself had not spoken to him. “Derek called me. Didi has not called me. I will be taking up other persons’ and Trinamool Congress matters. He (Abhishek Banerjee) is not Trinamool Congress,” he said.
TMC faces a growing rebellion
The public confrontation comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing one of its biggest internal crises in recent years. Several leaders have either resigned or openly rebelled against the party leadership.
On Wednesday, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House, becoming the third party MP to step down within a week. Earlier, Sushmita Dev resigned on 10th June, while Sukhendu Sekhar Ray had resigned on 8th June. After submitting his resignation, Baraik told reporters, “Accepting the opinion given by the people of West Bengal, I have also submitted my resignation today.”
Meanwhile, speculation continues over reports that some rebel TMC leaders could move closer to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Baraik was also seen visiting BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s residence.
Adding to the uncertainty, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed that the dissident camp enjoys the support of 64 TMC MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly. Another rebel MP, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, confirmed that a group of 20 MPs has formally requested separate seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha, indicating a deepening split within the party.
The developments come even as Abhishek Banerjee met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath in New Delhi, while the Congress has denied rumours of any merger with the Trinamool Congress.
