Internal tensions in the Trinamool Congress have become public after the party’s heavy loss in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. Several leaders raised concerns about national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee during a private session led by chief Mamata Banerjee.
The dispute began with the abrupt withdrawal of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan from the Falta seat just two days before the May 21 repoll. This move drew strong criticism of Banerjee and increased questions about his role. Banerjee represents the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat that includes Falta.
TMC sources said newly elected MLAs including Kunal Ghosh, Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay and Sandipan Saha asked why Khan faced no action despite causing major embarrassment. They also questioned how an influential candidate close to the leadership could exit at such a critical time.
Although the MLAs avoided naming Banerjee directly, their comments were seen as targeting his organisational grip in the area. Ghosh later told reporters that Khan’s decision hurt the party in a constituency where Banerjee won by over seven lakh votes. Bandyopadhyay called the episode a poor reflection on TMC and demanded Khan’s expulsion.
Mamata Banerjee urged leaders to consult before major decisions. Banerjee responded that the party had already distanced itself from Khan. The issue arose amid growing doubts about Banerjee’s electoral strategy after the defeat.
Separately, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation issued notices to 17 properties linked to Banerjee and his relatives. Senior TMC figures avoided comment, stating the matter was outside their remit.
