The internal feud within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has burst into public view, following leaked videos and WhatsApp chats involving party MPs, creating an embarrassing situation ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. At the center of the controversy is senior MP Kalyan Banerjee, who publicly lashed out—without naming her—at a female party MP, strongly believed to be Mahua Moitra, given the context and subsequent reactions.
What Happened:
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The incident reportedly took place at the Election Commission of India headquarters on April 4, where a Trinamool delegation was present to submit a representation.
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Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT Cell head, posted videos and screenshots showing a heated altercation between TMC leaders.
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In the footage, Kalyan Banerjee is heard fuming, calling the MP "uncivilised" and accusing her of trying to get him arrested by the BSF.
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Another voice—allegedly that of senior Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien—is heard trying to calm Banerjee, saying, “We are in a public space brother, I’m pleading with you.”
Kalyan Banerjee’s Allegations:
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At a press conference, Banerjee went on record calling the female MP “rude” and said she tried to pressure him into giving her more time in Parliament.
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He also accused her of having no political narrative apart from attacking Modi and Adani, implying that her politics lacked substance.
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Banerjee declared that he would resign from his MP post if party supremo Mamata Banerjee found him at fault.
Mahua Moitra’s Name Surfaces:
While Banerjee did not name anyone directly, the clues point to Mahua Moitra, known for her fierce criticisms of Modi and Adani. Supporting this speculation:
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Senior TMC MP Saugata Roy confirmed that Mahua was in tears in Parliament after the incident.
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He stated that Kalyan Banerjee’s behavior was inappropriate and that several MPs believed it warranted Mamata Banerjee’s attention.
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Roy added that Mahua was about to lodge a complaint over Banerjee’s conduct.
Mamata Banerjee’s Reaction:
According to India Today sources:
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Mamata Banerjee is unhappy with the feud going public, particularly the leaking of internal WhatsApp messages.
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She has reportedly directed her party members not to give any further interviews and warned them against escalating the situation.
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The message is clear: damage control is now the priority, with elections on the horizon.
Political Fallout:
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The BJP has seized the opportunity to highlight internal chaos within TMC, with Amit Malviya amplifying the feud via social media.
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The public spat, especially involving senior leaders like Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, could impact the party’s image of unity and discipline.
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For Mahua Moitra, already in the spotlight due to her expulsion over the “cash-for-query” row, this adds another layer of controversy.
As the party scrambles to contain the situation, all eyes are now on whether Mamata Banerjee will take disciplinary action or find a way to smooth tensions before the general election campaign intensifies.
