TMC Postpones Legislative Meeting Amid Controversy Over Signature Forgery

TMC Legislative Meeting Delayed

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has decided to postpone its legislative party meeting, which was scheduled to take place at the residence of President Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. This decision comes after only 19 out of 80 legislators attended, amidst an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding alleged forgery of signatures on a letter designating Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition. Party officials confirmed this information.

Related News: Political Turmoil in West Bengal! TMC Meeting Canceled After Attack on Abhishek Banerjee, Only 20 Out of 80 Attended, Mamata Banerjee to Protest

According to TMC's state general secretary and Belghoria MLA Kunal Ghosh, at least 30 signatures are required from the party's 80 legislators to validate the letter appointing the opposition leader. He stated that many legislators were protesting on the streets against the mistreatment of the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, which prevented them from attending the meeting. Ghosh mentioned that following the incident, several legislators contacted the leadership to express their intention to protest, leading to the decision to postpone the meeting. Some legislators reached out again today, and discussions were held with those who could attend. The date for the next meeting will be announced soon.

Ghosh further noted that demonstrations will be held across sub-divisions and community blocks in West Bengal in response to the attacks on Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday and MP Kalyan Banerjee on Sunday. Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a one-day protest on June 2 on Rani Rashmoni Road. The collective absence of legislators comes just weeks after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 207 out of 294 seats in Bengal, raising questions within the party, especially as Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to appear at the CID office for questioning regarding the forgery case on Monday.

Earlier on Saturday, he was summoned just hours after reportedly being assaulted by some TMC workers in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas. A legislator, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed concerns over the significant absence of so many legislators. It remains puzzling why Kolkata's Javed Ahmed Khan and Sandipan Saha did not attend, especially when Malda's Abdur Rahim Bokshi and Nadia's Rukbanur Rahman were present.