Trinamool Congress (TMC) is in a shaky condition. From MLAs to several MPs, one after another are resigning. In the last few days, all the TMC MPs and MLAs who have become “rebels” have blamed Abhishek Banerjee in one voice. From Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar to Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, from Ritabrata Banerjee to Sandipan Saha, all have targeted him. However, though colleagues were vocal, on paper, MP as well as lawyer Kalyan Banerjee had replied to the opponents on behalf of the leader. But this time, is there a different tune in his voice too? On Thursday, he stepped away from the case of the party’s all-India general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Raising serious allegations against Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee has also indicated leaving the party.
On this day, Kalyan told the media that on Thursday he was supposed to argue in the High Court on behalf of Abhishek in the signature case. But before that, he stepped away. Kalyan said, “On Tuesday, searches took place at Camac Street and Didi’s office. After returning from Delhi, I went there during the search. Yesterday morning, I mentioned before Justice Kaushik Chanda. I informed that the matter is urgent. Anything can happen at any time. The judge said he would hear it today. After this, another lawyer came and said that a separate writ petition has been filed regarding the search. I said, you filed and did not inform anything? They are saying, instruction has come from above.”
Why will Kalyan Banerjee no longer do Abhishek’s case? In answer to this question, he clearly said, “I cannot take so much arrogance. I have been in this profession for 45 years. I will not accept this attitude.” Explaining what exactly happened, Kalyan said, “The hearing of the case that Abhishek had filed in the High Court seeking protection in the signature forgery case was held on Thursday. On Wednesday, I had mentioned his case in court. For some reason, the court did not hear Abhishek’s case yesterday. It was to be heard today. But at night my son was informed that another lawyer would argue for the case.”
In Kalyan’s words, “At 12:30 at night, my son was called and told that Ayan Bhattacharya would fight the case. The person or persons being spoken of are of my knee’s age. Then if they do not trust me, why did they ask me to do the case? Of course, I already know that Abhishek does not trust me. But he cannot insult a senior lawyer like me in this way. Am I a dustbin or what!”
Kalyan added, “I will never fight his matter any day again. His arrogance, behaviour have become unbearable. At this time, I have stood beside Didi. Taking risks too, I am going everywhere. Even after that, his habit of disrespecting did not change. He thinks everyone is a Camac Street worker. It has been 45 years for me in this profession. Yet he has so much arrogance that he does not respect anyone. I too have told Derek in the morning, tell Didi that whether Abhishek Banerjee will remain or who will remain, now Didi herself should choose. A lot has happened in the party because of Abhishek. Now Didi should decide whether she will move ahead with Abhishek or with workers like me.”