Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee speaks to the media during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on August 10, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee reaches the CID headquarters for a second round of questioning in connection with the alleged forgery of the signatures of MLAs for the appointment of the leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, in Kolkata, on June 14, 2026.
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Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee arrives for the INDIA bloc meeting at Constitution Club of India, in New Delhi on June 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Trinamool Congress general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee did not turn up for interrogation despite summons from the CID.
| Photo Credit: ANI

TMC chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leaves after meeting Abhishek Banerjee at a private hospital following his brief admission, in Kolkata, West Bengal, Saturday, May 30, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI

TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee speaks to the media on May 30, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Kolkata:

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday criticised the BJP-led central government for allegedly remaining silent on atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, questioning the Centre’s “inadequate” diplomatic response to the crisis and accused the BSF of aiding infiltrators to destabilise West Bengal.

The TMC national general secretary urged the Centre to give a befitting reply to the anti-India narrative in such a manner that Bangladesh understands.

Raising concerns over the Centre’s response to the crisis, Mr Banerjee alleged, “Why are the prime minister, foreign minister, defence minister, and the union home minister silent on the situation in Bangladesh? The BJP government talks about valour and ‘Parakram’ but has not responded adequately to the atrocities on minorities in the neighbouring country.” He also claimed that state BJP leaders, who “constantly criticise the TMC government”, should instead ask their central leadership to be vocal about the issue.

“Why has there been no strong diplomatic response from the Modi government regarding the atrocities on Hindus and other communities in Bangladesh?”, the Diamond Harbour MP wondered.

“Have you ever heard of a country like Bangladesh daring to intimidate India before 2014? Is this how you are brightening India’s name?” “We are all aware of the kind of atrocities and anarchy going on across Bangladesh and the silence of our central government is adding to the speculations.

The prime minister always speaks of a powerful government, a ’56-inch chest government’. Now we want to see the Centre giving a befitting reply to Bangladesh in the language they understand,” he said.

Mr Banerjee also made allegations against the BSF, claiming that the force was aiding the infiltration of extremists from Bangladesh.

“To destabilise the state, the BSF is allowing infiltrators to cross into West Bengal. It is the state police who are actively arresting these terrorists,” Mr Banerjee said.

Several suspected extremists have been arrested in various parts of the state recently, particularly following the unrest in Bangladesh after August 5, he claimed.

“Instead of appreciating the state police’s efforts, the opposition criticises them. It is the state police which has arrested those terrorists. The BJP should first answer why the BSF, which is responsible for border security, is failing in its duty,” he said.

Speaking about the arrest of Bangladeshis in the northeastern states, he said, “What is the Border Security Force doing? So many people have been caught in Tripura and Assam. Is a Trinamool government there? Isn’t it a double-engine government?” Hitting out at BJP leaders, the TMC MP criticised their rhetoric on infiltrators, questioning their claims about “hanging people upside down and punishing them one by one”.

Mr Banerjee further accused the prime minister and the government of “remaining silent” on those being targeted in the name of religion.

Drawing attention to the plight of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, he said, “The central government had promised shelter to Hindus through the CAA, but what is it doing now? Is their silence because there is no election at this moment?” Mr Banerjee reiterated that the TMC and the West Bengal government would align with the Centre’s diplomatic decisions regarding the Bangladesh situation.

However, he stressed the need for a stronger response.

“The chaos in Bangladesh since August 5 has caused immense suffering to minorities. The Centre must act decisively instead of sitting idle,” Banerjee claimed while launching the “Sebaashray” health programme in his constituency.

The TMC leader, reacting to the rejection of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das’ bail plea in Bangladesh, stated that such “outcomes are inevitable when a country’s judiciary is biased”.

“If the judiciary of a country becomes weak, the downfall of that nation is inevitable, and no one can prevent it. We have seen on various occasions that if the judiciary is not impartial or becomes biased, the decline of that country or society becomes unstoppable,” he claimed.

A court in the southeastern port city of Chattogram in Bangladesh denied bail to Hindu monk and former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case on Thursday.

Mr Banerjee called upon people to keep calm and maintain harmony in the state and not to pay heed to those who are trying to indulge in violence and disrupt law and order by citing the Bangladesh situation.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Amidst the ongoing internal struggle within the TMC between veteran leaders and the younger faction, West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday said any decision regarding her successor would be made collectively by the party leadership rather than by her personally.

In an exclusive interview with a Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla, Ms Banerjee dismissed notions of individual dominance, asserting, “I am not the party; we are the party. It is a collective family, and decisions will be made collectively.”

Asked about her potential successor, Ms Banerjee deflected the question with a counter-query, “Who is your successor?” She went on to clarify that TMC is a disciplined party where no individual will dictate terms. “The party will decide what is best for the people. We have MLAs, MPs, booth workers, this is a joint effort,” she said.

On the ongoing debate about prioritising the younger generation or experienced leaders, Ms Banerjee maintained a balanced approach, stating, “Everyone is important. Today’s newcomer will be tomorrow’s veteran.”

While TMC has not officially declared any succession plans, Ms Banerjee’s remark comes amidst an ongoing debate over the old guards, considered loyal to Mamata Banerjee, versus the next-generation leaders, considered close to Abhishek Banerjee.

Abhishek Banerjee is TMC’s national general secretary and nephew of Mamata Banerjee.

Ms Banerjee did not mince words when addressing the role of political consultants, taking an indirect jibe at I-PAC, which has been working as TMC’s political consultant since 2019.

“Some strategists make surveys sitting at home and change them later. They can arrange things but not bring voters. It’s the booth workers who know the villages and people who actually win elections,” she remarked, adding, “They are like artisans who do their work in exchange for money. But elections aren’t won by them.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

The arrest of a Hindu priest in Bangladesh, has led to a row between the Opposition BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. India has expressed concern and issued a strong statement on the arrest. There has been condemnation across party lines over the arrest. The BJP, though, has alleged that Trinamool is silent on the issue.

Chinmoy Krishna Das – who was demanding safety and security of Hindus – was arrested as attacks on minorities, mainly Hindus, continue in Bangladesh. He has been jailed and denied bail. 

What has led to even more outrage is the Bangladeshi government calling the renowned International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) a “fundamentalist organisation”.

The Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said his party condemns what is happening in Bangladesh and will support steps the Union government takes.

“The issue of Bangladesh is not a state issue, it’s a national issue. It’s an international matter and in the domain of the central government,” Mr Banerjee said.

“The people have given the Central government the mandate and we have cleared our stance many times. Whatever position the Central government takes on an international issue, the Trinamool will support it as a party in the nation’s interest. What has happened there cannot be supported at all and it is unfortunate and should be criticised,” he added. 

The Bengal BJP has been demanding punitive measures to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition, the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, led a protest march to the Bangladesh High Commission today, calling for an end to atrocities against Hindus. 

“Our demand is that this goondagardi, killing of Hindus should stop. Chinmoy Krishna Das should be released immediately. Bangladesh-India relations should improve immediately. These are demands or else we should stop giving them visas and export-import permits. A member of the caretaker government is openly making anti-India statements. He holds a post equivalent to a cabinet minister of the Union in Bangladesh,” Mr Adhikari said.

After New Delhi’s sharp response against the arrest, Bangladesh said India was misrepresenting facts. 

Chief Advisor to the interim government Md Yunus said Bangladesh is committed to upholding communal harmony but the ground reality shows Islamic radicals are continuing to target Hindus. 

Kolkata:

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday formed several disciplinary committees at different levels, consisting of veteran loyalists, and gave additional responsibilities to national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as the spokesperson for national affairs, underscoring the party’s reliance on seasoned members to shape its strategic direction.

In a significant move, the party also elevated five veteran leaders including assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, state minister Manas Bhunia and party MP Kalyan Banerjee, to the party’s all-powerful working committee.

Notably, party MP and Ms Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek, considered the party’s de facto number two and who has been a key figure in the party’s growth, will also serve as the official spokesperson for national affairs.

His appointment highlights the party’s focus on enhancing its national presence and making him the face of the party at the national level.

Speaking to the media after the national executive committee meeting, senior party leader and state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said that to ensure better discipline and effective leadership, the party has constituted three disciplinary committees at different levels.

The Parliamentary Disciplinary Committee includes Sudip Bandopadhyay, Derek O’Brien, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Kalyan Banerjee, and Nadimul Haque.

The State Assembly Disciplinary Committee comprises Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Nirmal Ghosh, Aroop Biswas, Debashish Kumar, and Firhad Hakim.

At the state level, the committee consists of Subrata Bakshi, Aroop Biswas, Sujit Bose, Firhad Hakim, and Chandrima Bhattacharya.

“If someone is issued a show-cause notice by any of these committees, he or she has to answer it. If a person gets three such show-cause notices, steps will be taken to suspend him or her,” Bhattacharya said.

According to party sources, this strategic reshuffle is seen as a move to bring experienced leaders to the forefront, reflecting the party’s recognition of their contributions over the years.

“The new appointments underline the party’s commitment to bringing long-serving members into leadership roles. The prominence of veteran leaders such as Kalyan Banerjee and Manas Bhunia reflects TMC’s effort to retain a balance between experience and youth in its leadership. Additionally, Abhishek Banerjee’s expanded role as the national spokesperson will help the party navigate the complex political landscape at the national level, as it aims to grow its influence across India,” a senior TMC leader said.

The TMC has strengthened regional representation by making strategic appointments to amplify local voices.

Gautam Deb, Udayan Guha, and Prakash Chik Baraik have been tasked with addressing issues in northern West Bengal.

Malay Ghatak will focus on matters related to tea garden workers, while Birbaha Hansda will handle concerns specific to the tribal region of Jhargram.

Senior TMC leader and state minister Aroop Biswas has been appointed as the coordinator for party spokespersons.

The TMC announced a series of initiatives to strengthen its grassroots network and deepen its connection with the public.

A new campaign will be launched to educate people about the party’s history and its contributions to the state’s political landscape, with party workers actively spreading this message across districts.

“There are several youths who are not aware of the party’s history and struggle. So, we have decided to take up an initiative to teach the people about the party’s history and its contributions,” she said.

The party has also decided to launch a campaign christened ‘With the People, For the People’, aimed at building stronger engagement with the masses.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)