Mamata Camp Working as BJP’s ‘B-Team’, Alleges Rebel TMC Leader

Rebel Trinamool Congress leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the party may have reached an understanding with the ruling BJP in West Bengal, accusing it of functioning as the BJP’s “B-team”.

Banerjee said such an arrangement, if it existed, would be “very unfortunate and saddening”, citing what he described as the freedom enjoyed by several senior TMC leaders facing serious allegations.

“We are not saying this. The solicitor general is saying it, Enforcement Directorate lawyers are saying it, the CBI is saying it. Thousands of crores of rupees are involved. Despite all this, they are moving around with their heads held high,” he told reporters.

His remarks came amid an intensifying organisational battle within the TMC following its defeat in the May Assembly elections. Banerjee claimed there was scope for a “setting” between the Mamata camp and the BJP, alleging that the former was “playing into the BJP’s hands”.

Rebel TMC MLA Madan Mitra, a former close aide of Mamata Banerjee, echoed the allegation, claiming that the BJP would not act against the West Bengal Chief Minister because she was its “biggest asset and friend”.

The latest comments followed the questioning of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee by Kolkata Police for nearly six hours in connection with an August 27 altercation outside his Camac Street office over the removal of a billboard. Police have registered a case against Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and others under several provisions, including non-bailable charges.

The TMC remains divided between the Mamata-led faction and the dissident group led by Ritabrata Banerjee, with both camps accusing the other of political collusion with the BJP.

Banerjee also raised questions over the TMC’s earlier position on the abrogation of Article 370, asking why its MPs had abstained from voting on the 2019 legislation. He further demanded accountability over an alleged medical negligence case linked to the party’s ‘Sebaashray’ healthcare outreach initiative.