Kolkata
Rebel Camp’s Latest Move Adds to TMC Leadership Troubles
Dr Baidyanath Ghosh, son of rebel Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has announced that he will return gifts received from former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing “personal conscience” and recent political developments. He also said legal notices would be issued over alleged derogatory remarks made against him by senior TMC leaders.
The political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified on Sunday after Dr Baidyanath Ghosh, the son of rebel party MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, announced that he would return gifts presented to him and his wife by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Explaining his decision, Dr Ghosh said it stemmed from the “recent events” surrounding the ongoing confrontation within the party and his own “personal conscience.”
The development comes amid an escalating power struggle between the TMC leadership and a dissident faction of Members of Parliament led by his mother.
Decision Rooted in ‘Personal Conscience’
Dr Ghosh indicated that returning the gifts was a symbolic gesture reflecting his discomfort with the current circumstances.
Although he did not elaborate on the specific gifts involved, his statement underscored the widening gulf between the rebel camp and the party’s central leadership.
The move is likely to be viewed as a significant personal and political rebuke at a time when tensions within the party are already running high.
Legal Action Planned
In another sharp escalation, Dr Ghosh announced that he intended to initiate legal proceedings against Mamata Banerjee and several TMC MPs who have remained aligned with the party leadership.
According to him, legal notices would be served over certain “unsavoury comments” allegedly made against him.
He did not publicly disclose the exact nature of the remarks but maintained that they were objectionable enough to warrant legal recourse.
Growing Dissidence in TMC
The latest developments come against the backdrop of a widening rebellion within the Trinamool Congress.
A section of party MPs has openly questioned the current leadership structure and organisational direction, leading to one of the most serious internal crises faced by the party in recent years.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has emerged as one of the prominent figures associated with the dissident camp, which has reportedly sought greater autonomy and recognition within parliamentary proceedings.
Political Implications
Dr Baidyanath Ghosh’s announcement is expected to further intensify the already strained relationship between the rebel faction and the party leadership.
Political observers note that symbolic acts such as returning gifts often carry strong emotional and political messages, particularly in parties where personal loyalty and long-standing relationships play a significant role.
Neither Mamata Banerjee nor the Trinamool Congress leadership had issued an official response to Dr Ghosh’s remarks at the time of reporting.
As the confrontation within the ruling party deepens, attention remains focused on whether reconciliation remains possible or if the divisions will lead to a more formal split in the organisation.
The coming days are likely to prove crucial in determining the future course of the rebellion and its impact on West Bengal’s political landscape.