TMC Legislator Accuses Party of Corruption Amid Internal Revolt
Ritabrata Banerjee, a recently expelled TMC legislator, has leveled serious accusations of corruption within the party, suggesting that more leaders may soon join his dissenting faction. In an exclusive interview, he attributed the current unrest to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and described a troubling meeting where legislators were pressured to applaud him despite the party's electoral losses. Ritabrata also raised concerns about attendance manipulation during this meeting, indicating a deeper crisis within the TMC. As tensions rise, the political landscape in West Bengal could be on the brink of significant change.
Jun 6, 2026, 18:49 IST
Allegations of Corruption Within TMC
Ritabrata Banerjee, a legislator expelled from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), made serious allegations of widespread corruption within the party on Saturday. He hinted that more leaders might join the rebellious faction in the coming days and held TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee responsible for the recent wave of discontent. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, he stated that they currently have 61 legislators on their side, suggesting that the number of dissenting leaders will certainly increase before the assembly session begins on June 18. His remarks came as nearly 60 out of the party's 80 legislators expressed support for Ritabrata as the opposition leader in the West Bengal assembly, marking one of the most significant internal challenges for Mamata Banerjee's party.
Criticism of Abhishek Banerjee
While Ritabrata refrained from directly criticizing Mamata Banerjee, he pointed to Abhishek as the main cause of the internal rebellion within TMC. He recounted a meeting held at Mamata's residence in Kalighat on May 6, following the party's recent electoral defeat, where a proposal was passed to applaud Abhishek. He noted that attendees were told that TMC had not lost the elections and were asked to stand and clap in honor of Abhishek Banerjee. Ritabrata admitted that while he may have questioned Abhishek's whereabouts, he lacked the courage to oppose the motion, so he too stood up, albeit without clapping wholeheartedly.
Concerns Over Attendance Manipulation
Ritabrata further alleged that TMC legislators were asked to sign a letter to mark their attendance at the May 6 meeting, claiming that several names of absent MPs were included in the attendance records.