Kolkata. It was not long ago that there was talk of handing over the command of the 'India' alliance to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. After the alliance's defeat in the Maharashtra assembly elections after Haryana, questions were being raised on the Congress. Be it Akhilesh Yadav or Sharad Pawar or Arvind Kejriwal… everyone was demanding change in one voice. But Mamata Banerjee, who is unable to manage her own house, how will she be able to keep the opposition alliance united. There is turmoil in her own party in Bengal. The reason behind this is none other than Mamata Banerjee's nephew and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

In fact, a new debate has arisen in West Bengal regarding the growing differences within the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party's second-largest leader, Abhishek Banerjee, recently disagreed with party leaders who were advocating the boycott of artists who criticized the TMC government in the case of the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital. Soon after this, Mamata Banerjee targeted ministers who are considered close to her nephew, making the issue even more sensitive. The wall standing between Mamata and her nephew in TMC also became clearly visible.

It all started on New Year's Eve, when a local TMC councillor in Kolkata cancelled singer Lagnajita Chakraborty's New Year's Eve concert. Following this, senior spokesperson Kunal Ghosh posted on X (formerly Twitter) on December 31, saying that people are free to protest and artists have the right to march. However, he also added that artists who deliberately make derogatory statements, attack the chief minister, the government and the party, talk about toppling the government, and insult TMC supporters should not come on stage at any event organised by the TMC. They should be boycotted. If any TMC leader has any doubts about this, they should consult the senior leadership. The sentiments of party workers and supporters should be respected.

Apart from Lagnajita, singer Deblina Dutta, who was also vocal during the RG tax protests, has also claimed that at least four of her programmes have been cancelled recently. The controversy has become another example of the ongoing differences within the TMC and the growing distance between Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. There is an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty in the party over the issue.

Amid the ongoing differences in the party, Diamond Harbour MP and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's response to party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh's statement further deepened the controversy. During an event in his constituency on January 2, he said, "Did anyone say this on behalf of the party? Have you seen any notice? Have Mamata Banerjee or I, as national general secretary, said anything?" Abhishek also said that he does not want to tell anyone where he will sing, with whom he will sing, or when he will sing. He said, "Everyone has their freedom."

Soon after, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh wrote on 'X' that there is a difference between protests and planned vandalism in the name of protest. He also said, "The conscience of TMC workers will decide this matter." Ghosh said, "And whatever the top leader of the party, chairperson Mamata Banerjee, who has faced the most attacks and conspiracies on this issue, says in this regard, will be the final word."

Ghosh's statement echoes what Mamata Banerjee said last month. Amid tensions over Abhishek Banerjee's bigger role in the TMC, Mamata had made it clear that she was the one to take the final decision on party matters. Senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who is considered a critic of Abhishek in the party, also supported Ghosh. He said, "All the emotions of TMC workers are centered around Mamata Banerjee. Why would we allow someone in our programs who insults and abuses them?" Kalyan also said that he had fought in court for the doctors in the RG Kar Hospital case and Kunal Ghosh had also supported junior doctors who were being expelled from medical colleges for being TMC supporters.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also targeted leaders close to Abhishek. On January 2, she criticised ministers Bratya Basu and Snehasish Chakraborty as well as the Birbhum district magistrate, which is being seen as a warning to the party's Birbhum chief and Abhishek's supporter Anubrata Mandal. Anubrata Mandal, who came out of jail last September, is again busy strengthening his position in the area. Thus, the dispute between Mamata and Abhishek in the TMC and the growing differences within the party have now become a serious issue.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed strong displeasure over some actions of the Education and Transport Department. During a meeting on January 2, Mamata questioned Education Minister Bratya Basu that according to media reports, the semester system is being implemented at the primary level, but how was this policy made without informing her and the Chief Secretary. Mamata strongly objected to this decision and called it a step taken without proper procedure. Apart from this, Mamata also strongly criticized the Transport Department. She asked, "Does the minister or secretary ever go out on the streets and try to see what situation the common people are facing?"

A senior TMC leader and cabinet minister said, "Didi was very angry with the performance of some departments, but it was also seen that she expressed more displeasure with the ministers close to Abhishek." Along with this, Mamata also scolded the District Magistrate (DM) of Birbhum, accusing him of giving more importance to a particular district leader. Everyone in Birbhum knows that Anuvrat Mandal is very close to Abhishek Banerjee. After coming out of jail on bail, Anuvrat Mandal is again trying to strengthen his hold in Birbhum and that is why the Chief Minister reprimanded the DM.

However, Snehasish Chakraborty tried to downplay the criticism made by Mamata. He told The Indian Express, "The Chief Minister expressed her concerns, but it is always in the interest of the public, and this was also clear in the meeting." At present, Mamata Banerjee's anger is increasing in TMC over the power struggle within the party and the functioning of the departments, which reflects the growing disagreement within the party regarding the leadership.