• Source:JND

TMC Crisis: TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, who has been under fire since his party's debacle in the assembly elections, broke his silence over the allegation made by his senior party colleague, MP Kalyan Banerjee. On Friday, Abhishek attempted to strike a conciliatory note, describing the Serampore MP as a political mentor who had "brought him up" and therefore had every right to criticise him.

"Kalyan Banerjee has seen me grow up. He is a senior leader of the party. He has every right to say a few harsh words to me. There is no reason to create unnecessary controversy over it,," he asserted, following a massive row triggered by Kalyan.

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The olive branch came less than 24 hours after Kalyan publicly questioned Abhishek's leadership style, accusing him of being arrogant and bossy. He issued an ultimatum to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee to choose between her nephew and veterans like him.

'Pick Me Or Nephew': Kalyan's Surprise Revolt Against Abhishek

Earlier on Thursday, Kalyan, who was fighting for Mamata's camp till Wednesday night, issued an ultimatum to Mamata to choose between her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, deepening the ongoing crisis in the party. The veteran leader accused the party's national general secretary, Abhishek, of "arrogance" and "fluctuating mindset".

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What Was The Bone Of Contention?

Kalyan, also a senior advocate, declared he would remove himself from all legal matters and court petitions concerning Abhishek, although the MP said he would continue contesting cases related to the party. The development comes amid Mamata facing a serious existential crisis following fractures at both the Bengal assembly and in Parliament, alongside multiple resignations, with an overwhelming majority of rebel MLAs and MPs challenging Abhishek's leadership after the party's assembly poll debacle.

Kalyan, who resigned as the TMC chief whip in Lok Sabha in August last year and was recently reappointed to the post in the wake of the rebellion of 20 party MPs in the Lower House, has so far remained among the few still standing in support of the Mamata-led party structure and has strongly criticised the rebel camp.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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