File photo of Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Trinamool Congress MP and senior leader Kalyan Banerjee (June 11) lashed out at party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday, calling him “arrogant”. He also gave an ultimatum to Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, asking her to choose between him and Mr. Abhishek. His remarks came amid the escalating crisis in the party.
A senior advocate, Mr. Kalyan also said he would remove himself from all legal matters involving Mr. Abhishek. Mr. Kalyan was representing the Diamond Harbour MP at the Calcutta High Court in the signature forgery case.
“Henceforth, I will not be appearing in any matter for Abhishek Banerjee. I do not like this arrogant attitude. One must respect their seniors, I have 45 years of experience in this profession… How can he insult me?,” Mr. Kalyan said after giving up Mr. Abhishek’s case.
He also claimed that another legal counsel of Mr. Abhishek had filed a separate writ petition in the same issue and that he was taken aback by the development. He said had he known about the new case, he would not have brought it before the judge, as two Benches cannot hear the same matter. He also alleged that the new case was filed after instructions “from the top”.
“He [Mr. Abhishek] must understand that because of him we have lost the elections. The party is facing these problems because of him. But he will go around disrespecting everyone,” Mr. Kalyan said. The senior leader, also the current Lok Sabha Chief Whip of the party, said that he has also been called a “chor” because of Mr. Abhishek’s actions and that is not tolerable to him.
However, Mr. Kalyan added that he will continue to appear for cases and legal matters related to the party.
The Sreerampur MP said that he will no longer tolerate the attitude and arrogance of Mr. Abhishek and said if Ms. Mamata chooses to side with her nephew, then she will have to let him go.
“If you let go of Abhishek Banerjee, then I am there. He destroyed the party,” Mr. Kalyan said, He adding he will not tolerate being treated like a “dustbin” and an “employee” of Mr. Abhishek’s Camac Street office.
Over the past several days, at least 20 Lok Sabha members, three Rajya Sabha members, and around 58 MLAs have broken away from the Trinamool. The party’s MPs have expressed support for the Bharatiya Janata Party while the breakaway group of MLAs have been recognised as the main Opposition in the Assembly. Amid the crisis, Mr. Kalyan has been a staunch loyalist of Ms. Mamata.
There had been rising discontent against the party supremo for favouring her nephew. Many leaders have publicly voiced their disapproval of Mr. Abhishek and have blamed him for the humiliating loss in the Assembly election, which ended the 15-year rule of Trinamool in Bengal.
Published – June 11, 2026 04:47 pm IST
