Intense conflicts within the Trinamool Congress became public on Tuesday when the BJP released a leaked video and screenshots showcasing a heated discussion among key legislators of the party led by Mamata Banerjee.
Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT cell, shared a video on X asserting it depicts the events following a heated exchange between senior Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee and another unidentified party legislator. Malviya additionally shared screenshots that he alleged were from a party WhatsApp group, depicting TMC leaders disputing the issue.
As per Malviya, the event occurred on April 4 at the Election Commission of India office, where the Trinamool team visited to present a proposal.
In the video, Kalyan Banerjee is seen vocally attacking the other legislator, while a different voice — allegedly that of Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien — attempts to ease the tension. Kalyan Banerjee says, “They are so unruly,” and, “Saying will get me arrested…” The voice believed to be O’Brien’s is heard saying, “We are in a public space brother, I’m pleading with you.”
Another person is heard warning Kalyan Banerjee: “This will get leaked in the media,” to which he responds, “Let it be, I want it to be out in the media.” Kalyan Banerjee also asserts, “But I will not allow to do any illegal work.”
As the video shared by the BJP started doing the rounds, Trinamool MP Saugata Roy tacitly admitted that the other party in the spat was the party’s firebrand leader Mahua Moitra. He slammed Kalyan’s Banerjee’s “intemperate behaviour” and called it unacceptable.
Reacting to the video, Kalyan Banerjee said that when he reached the poll panel’s office, “a female MP” charged at him.
“She was shouting at the top of her voice and I responded accordingly. In the meantime, she ran to the BSF and asked them to arrest me,” Banerjee alleged. Without naming any MP, Kalyan Banerjee said, “This lady has no other issue in her politics except Modi and Adani. She never challenges any other BJP leader. How dare she ask for my arrest? Who is she?”
Although Saugata Roy wasn’t present when the argument took place, he stated, “I saw Mahua was crying in Parliament… She was going to complain about Kalyan’s behaviour.”
Amit Malviya claimed the alleged shouting match prompted West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee to intervene, instructing both MPs to stand down.
He also shared screenshots allegedly from a WhatsApp group titled ‘AITC MP 2024,’ which he said show the argument spilling over into messages between Trinamool MPs. In the purported leaked chats, Kalyan Banerjee takes a dig at a “versatile international lady” before hitting out at Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad.
“Today I congratulate the gentleman who opened the beautiful activities of versatile international lady. That day not a single boyfriend of her stood behind her. This foolish man whom she wanted to arrested by BSF, stood behind her. Today of course 30 years famous player stood behind her to get me arrested,” Banerjee wrote in a pointed message.
Ex-cricketer Kirti Azad replied, “Take it easy Kalyan. You have had one too many. Don’t act like a juvenile delinquent. You have been entrusted with a very serious responsibility by Didi to everyone along with you. So relax, have a nice sleep Act like an adult. Don’t instigate anybody.”
