TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee struck a conciliatory tone towards Abhishek Banerjee, ruled out any merger with the Congress and accused the BJP of targeting opposition leaders in West Bengal.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said Abhishek Banerjee was "like my son" and rejected speculation of a merger between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress. | ANI
A fresh political message emerged from within the Trinamool Congress on Saturday as senior MP Kalyan Banerjee described party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as “like my son” and said it was a father’s duty to forgive a son’s mistakes.
The remarks come at a time when the once-dominant Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal is facing internal strains, allegations of political targeting by the BJP, and speculation over possible political realignments.
Advertisement
Speaking in Kolkata, Kalyan Banerjee sought to downplay suggestions of a rift with Abhishek Banerjee.
Advertisement
“He is like my son. It is the work of the father to forgive all faults made by a son. Democracy is under threat in the country. West Bengal never faced a situation where the opposition was wiped out. This CM is vindictive. This is a danger for democracy,” he said.
The statement marks a softer tone from the veteran TMC leader after his recent public criticism of Abhishek Banerjee had fuelled discussion about divisions within the party.
Kalyan Banerjee also dismissed speculation that the Trinamool Congress could merge with the Congress.
“We are not merging with the Congress,” he said.
The clarification comes amid heightened political activity in the state and continuing debate over opposition unity ahead of future electoral battles.
The TMC MP also took aim at a group of party MPs reportedly planning to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
“Let them do what they want. They will have to live under the shelter of the BJP. All this is a ploy. They cite the reason as development of their constituencies, but those who cannot even visit their constituencies, so what work will they do?” Banerjee said.
He further alleged that opposition parties in West Bengal were facing unprecedented pressure.
“BJP is harassing us, the police are harassing us. No Opposition in West Bengal has ever faced such a thing as what we are facing. The 19 MPs who are going to the BJP will not be accepted by the BJP,” he added.
The developments follow a search operation conducted by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat area.
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose alleged that officials reached the residence in the early hours of Saturday and that a search was conducted after disaster management personnel were called in to open locked sections of the property.
According to Ghose, the search yielded no evidence and was politically motivated.
The latest episode comes amid escalating political tensions in West Bengal. It follows reports of an FIR being lodged against former chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over remarks made during a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Advertisement
