All Is Not Well In TMC? Kalyan Banerjee Steps Down As Party's Lok Sabha Chief Whip

Veteran Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee has quit his post as the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, lashing out at party colleagues and claiming he was being unfairly blamed for the dysfunction within TMC's parliamentary team.

A four-time MP and a prominent face of the party in the national capital, Banerjee's resignation came shortly after a tense virtual meeting chaired by party chief Mamata Banerjee, in which she reportedly expressed her frustration over the lack of coordination among MPs.

"I'm Being Held Responsible for Everyone's Failures"

For Banerjee, the resignation was more than a political move-it was an emotional one.

"Didi said there's no coordination. So the blame falls on me. That's why I've stepped down," he told reporters on Monday, visibly upset.

He didn't hold back in his criticism of fellow parliamentarians. "Those who were handpicked as MPs don't even show up in Parliament. From South Kolkata to Barrackpore to Bankura-many just don't attend. How is that my fault?" he asked, clearly stung by what he called a "targeted blame game."

A Seasoned MP Feeling Sidelined

Kalyan Banerjee has been with Mamata Banerjee since the inception of the TMC, and his seniority in the party is uncontested. But his recent experience seems to have left him disillusioned.

"I've always informed the party when there were issues-when people insulted me, when MPs fought among themselves-but no one acted. Now I'm the one being blamed. Should I tolerate abuse silently?" he said, in a veiled reference to his ongoing tensions with Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra.

Old Wounds, Fresh Clashes

Banerjee's fallout with Moitra is not new. Their frequent confrontations, along with a previous public spat with TMC MP Kirti Azad, have repeatedly made headlines and caused discomfort for the leadership. Sources say the latest episode with Moitra may have prompted Mamata Banerjee to consider a reshuffle in her Parliament team-a move that pushed Kalyan to exit before he could be removed.

"Let Her Run the Party Her Way"

Banerjee's final remarks were tinged with resignation and hurt.

"Let Mamata Banerjee run the party the way she wants. I've done my bit. But if discipline means tolerating humiliation, I'd rather walk away," he said.

As a leader known for his sharp legal mind and combative oratory, Kalyan Banerjee's departure from a key parliamentary role marks more than just a leadership change. It exposes the growing unease within the TMC's ranks and raises uncomfortable questions about internal accountability and leadership direction.