PTI, KOLKATA, AUG 11, 2025 :  Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee initiated an important round of meetings with district leaders today, as part of the party’s ongoing organizational strategy ahead of crucial political developments. The meeting, which took place on Camac Street in Kolkata, saw Abhishek engage with the organizational heads of Uttar Dinajpur, Berhampur, and Murshidabad districts. In attendance were ten MLAs from these three districts, including the controversial Humayun Kabir, a so-called ‘rebel’ MLA from Debra who has been at the center of much speculation over the past few weeks.

Humayun, who had earlier threatened to form a new political party, was meeting Abhishek for the first time after his warning to leave TMC if his grievances weren’t addressed. While there is no certainty on whether Humayun will follow through on his threat to form a party focused on Murshidabad and the surrounding regions, sources indicate that Abhishek received a call from him well before the deadline of August 15, which Humayun had set for the party leadership to act.

Humayun, when questioned about his earlier remarks regarding a possible new political venture, stated that the meeting had been scheduled by the All India General Secretary ten days ago, implying that he was mentally prepared to meet Abhishek. Despite his reluctance to accept the ‘rebel’ label, Humayun was circumspect when asked about his potential move to form a new party. He hinted that all would be revealed in due time but emphasized that he expected the leadership to offer solutions that would preserve his dignity. “I think the leadership will give all the instructions keeping my honor in mind,” he said, underlining the delicate nature of the situation.

The focus of today’s organizational meeting, according to informed sources, was not just on Humayun but also on addressing the ongoing factionalism in Uttar Dinajpur. This issue, which has surfaced multiple times in recent months, was expected to be a key topic of discussion. Abhishek may likely assign organizational leaders a ‘home task’ regarding the situation in Adhir-Garh Berhampur, a potential flashpoint for party instability in the region.

Abhishek’s meeting with district leaders began earlier this month and has already seen two rounds of consultations with leaders from the four northern districts: Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Malda. These meetings have been part of his efforts to consolidate the party’s position and address internal strife, especially with rising dissent in various districts. Notably, on August 7, Abhishek held another meeting with leaders from Dakshin Dinajpur and Jangipur.

The political scenario within TMC is undoubtedly tense, as growing factionalism continues to undermine the party’s unity in certain districts. As the August 15 deadline looms, all eyes are now on whether Humayun Kabir will make a decisive move or if he will choose to return to the fold of the TMC. Meanwhile, the party’s second-in-command, Abhishek Banerjee, seems determined to quell internal discord and keep the party intact in the face of mounting opposition.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Aug 7, 2025, Kolkata : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her stance on Bengali language issues and migrant workers’ rights, accusing the BJP government of waging a form of ‘terrorism’ against the Bengali language and labeling Bengal’s migrant workers as Bangladeshis. Speaking in Jhargram on Thursday, Banerjee once again raised her voice against the growing atrocities and injustices faced by migrant workers from Bengal in BJP-ruled states, drawing attention to what she calls an orchestrated effort to tarnish the identity of the Bengali-speaking population.

At a rally in Jhargram, Banerjee launched a fresh call for a “new language movement,” following earlier protests in Kolkata and Bolpur, where she voiced similar concerns. These protests, aimed at addressing the alleged victimization of Bengali-speaking migrant workers, culminated in a speech by the Chief Minister at the end of the Jhargram procession. During her address, Banerjee raised a series of allegations, accusing the BJP government of subjecting Bengali-speaking workers to physical abuse and detention under the false pretext that they were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Banerjee went on to claim that her administration had repatriated over 2,000 migrant workers, but many others still remain trapped in detention camps in BJP-ruled states such as Assam, Gurugram, and Rajasthan. She highlighted a particularly disturbing case of a tribal girl from Malda, West Bengal, who was allegedly detained in Madhya Pradesh and subsequently deported to Bangladesh. The Chief Minister denounced such incidents as violations of human rights, asserting that Dalits, in particular, were being disproportionately targeted and mistreated.

In her remarks, Banerjee also lashed out at the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its recent suspension of four state government officials. The suspended officers, including two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), were accused of tampering with the voter registration list. In response, Banerjee raised critical questions about the legitimacy of the suspensions, demanding to know the authority under which these officials were penalized. She firmly declared that no officer would be suspended from her government, further accusing the Election Commission of being a “slave of the BJP.”

The ongoing controversy revolves around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal, a process that Banerjee fears could lead to the exclusion of genuine voters. She warned that the BJP was attempting to manipulate the voter list to serve its own political agenda. “Behind the SIR, there is a conspiracy to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Bengal,” Banerjee asserted, reiterating her firm stance that no one’s name should be removed from the voter list. “The BJP is trying to create a voter list for its own convenience through the SIR,” she said.

Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), also joined in the attack against the ECI, accusing the poll body of exceeding its jurisdiction and functioning as a tool of the central government. He criticized the timing of the Election Commission’s intervention, pointing out that its actions seemed to undermine the authority of an elected state government, especially when the Model Code of Conduct had not yet come into effect.

Mamata Banerjee’s comments in Jhargram are part of an escalating campaign against both the BJP-led central government and the Election Commission. She had previously declared that she would take the issue to international forums and expose the alleged wrongdoings of the BJP if any legitimate voters were excluded from the electoral rolls in West Bengal. Banerjee’s statements reflect the growing tensions in the state over issues of identity, migration, and electoral integrity, with the Chief Minister pledging to protect the rights of the Bengali-speaking population at all costs.

The situation in West Bengal is now under intense scrutiny as both the local government and the opposition parties, led by the BJP, engage in a high-stakes political and legal battle that could have significant implications for the state’s electoral future.

The Trinamool Congress currently holds 29 seats in the Lok Sabha. Sudip Bandopadhyay, a senior leader and long-time Lok Sabha face of the party, has been absent from parliamentary proceedings in recent months due to persistent health issues. His absence during the ongoing session of Parliament and his prior removal in May as the North Kolkata district unit president — amid rising local-level discontent — had already hinted at a possible shift.

During the virtual meeting, Mamata Banerjee cited Sudip’s medical condition as the key reason for the change. “Given that our Lok Sabha leader, Shri Sudip Bandyopadhyay, is unwell and undergoing medical treatment, the MPs have unanimously decided to entrust Shri Abhishek Banerjee with the responsibility of leading the party in the Lok Sabha as the leader of the party until Sudip da returns to good health,” she stated.

Abhishek Banerjee’s appointment marks a symbolic and strategic generational transition within the party. Often seen as Mamata Banerjee’s political heir, Abhishek will now wield significant influence over the party’s functioning in the lower house — including deciding who speaks on which subjects and when. The final list of speakers and topics will be shown to Mamata Banerjee, but Abhishek will serve as the operational head for all Lok Sabha proceedings going forward.

This change follows an evolving pattern of leadership transition within the party, where responsibilities are gradually being transferred to younger leaders. A similar process was initiated when Abhishek first raised the idea of “rotation” based on age and performance. Observers within the party suggest that the broader goal is to prepare the next generation of leadership while ensuring continuity of the party’s core vision and control under Mamata Banerjee.

The reshuffle also brings into focus the health of other senior Trinamool leaders. Veteran MP Saugata Roy, another influential figure, is currently hospitalised and has not attended the current Parliament session even once. This has led to mounting concerns within the party regarding the active roles of its ageing leadership.

According to the Trinamool’s organizational structure, the party maintains two separate parliamentary leaders — one for each house of Parliament. Derek O’Brien continues to lead the party in the Rajya Sabha, while Abhishek Banerjee now assumes leadership in the Lok Sabha. However, Mamata Banerjee remains the overall chairperson of the Trinamool’s parliamentary wing in both houses, retaining supreme authority over strategic decisions.

The reshuffle, though anticipated by many, comes at a politically crucial juncture — with Assembly elections due in early 2026 and opposition unity efforts under the INDIA alliance gaining momentum. Abhishek, who is also seen as the bridge between Trinamool and the broader opposition bloc, is now expected to amplify the party’s presence and assertiveness at the national level.

Political analysts note that while Abhishek’s ascendancy represents continuity with change, it may also hint at a shift in the balance of power within the party. Over recent years, Abhishek has occasionally appeared to chart an independent path, sometimes diverging from the party mainstream, leading to speculation over his growing clout. His formal elevation in the Lok Sabha is likely to reinforce that perception.

For now, Sudip Bandopadhyay is expected to return to parliamentary duties after regaining health, but there is growing sentiment that this may be the beginning of a wider reshuffle affecting other senior MPs and MLAs in the months ahead.

With Mamata Banerjee signaling support for this generational shift and entrusting greater responsibilities to her nephew, the Trinamool Congress appears to be moving towards a restructured leadership model — one that balances experience with youthful dynamism, in preparation for both state and national electoral battles.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, July 28, 2025, Kolkata : In a serious development that has created a political storm, actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty is facing allegations of financial misconduct and harassment following a complaint filed by the wife of his former secretary. The allegation, which has gained significant attention, involves Chakraborty’s failure to honor promises of remuneration and financial security made to his former secretary, a claim that has now led to an FIR being lodged at the Chitpur police station in Kolkata.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, July 28, 2025, Kolkata :  Abhishek Banerjee, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, has voiced strong opposition against the alleged harassment faced by Bengali migrant workers in other states. Speaking out against the mistreatment, Banerjee condemned the actions of the ruling governments in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Odisha, accusing them of targeting Bengali-speaking individuals in the name of migration.

During a media interaction, Banerjee highlighted the recent incidents where Bengali migrant workers were detained and harassed simply for speaking their native language, a situation that sparked widespread outrage. He emphasized that such discrimination was not isolated and had become a troubling trend. “Whenever we get a chance in Parliament, we will speak in Bengali. Today, during the discussion on Operation Siddur, we will speak in Bengali as well. Bengali migrant workers are being harassed in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Odisha under the BJP’s double-engine government,” he said.

The MP further criticized the Election Commission’s impartiality, alleging that it had been complicit in voter intimidation, particularly targeting the common people under the pretext of conducting the voter ID process. Banerjee remarked, “Voters are being intimidated in the name of SIR. The rights of the common man are being taken away. Meanwhile, voter ID cards are being issued in the name of dogs. All this is done to favor a particular party, and it’s shameful.”

Banerjee also referred to the disturbing incidents that occurred during the 2021 West Bengal election, when voters in Shitalkuchi were allegedly killed in broad daylight, and he expressed similar concerns over the handling of the 2024 elections. He accused the Election Commission of being subservient to political interests, leading to a compromised electoral process.

“Flattery and servitude are being practiced by the ruling party. The land that gave the world four Nobel laureates—Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa, Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee, and Amartya Sen—has now been reduced to a political battleground,” Banerjee remarked. He also criticized the BJP’s national leadership, specifically targeting BJP President Amit Shah, accusing him of ignorance regarding the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore and the party’s destructive actions, such as the alleged vandalization of Vidyasagar’s statue under Shah’s leadership.

Turning to the political landscape in Bengal, Banerjee warned that those who continued to oppress the people of Bengal would face consequences similar to those in the 2021 and 2024 elections. “The people of Bengal will not betray their own. They will give the BJP the same lesson they gave them in 2021 and 2024, come 2026,” he asserted.

In a passionate plea, Banerjee questioned why the BJP was engaging in politics of division, pointing out that if the ruling party had truly been concerned about such politics, they could have halted developmental work in the Jangalmahal region, where the BJP had performed well in the past. However, Banerjee proudly stated that the ruling party in Bengal had maintained an inclusive development agenda across the state, without discrimination.

“This is politics, and this should be the policy of the government of this country. It’s unfortunate that we have to fight against such divisions. We will speak out. If BJP believes that insulting the people of Bengal will teach them a lesson, they are gravely mistaken. They should be prepared for a much tougher lesson,” Banerjee concluded, sending a strong message of resilience and unity from Bengal.

The MP’s statement has added to the ongoing political discourse surrounding migrant workers’ rights, voter integrity, and the integrity of the electoral process, and has raised the stakes for upcoming political