Mamata Banerjee's Close Aide Warns West Bengal Police Amid Discontent In TMC Ranks

Kolkata: Kalyan Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Whip and Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, has issued a stern warning to the West Bengal Police, urging them to discharge their duties with absolute integrity rather than acting under the influence of any political leader of the curent BJP administration including West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Kalyan Banerjee is a Lok Sabha MP and is counted among the leaders closest to Mamata Banerjee. Recently, following the party's electoral setback in Bengal, Mamata entrusted Kalyan Banerjee with a significant responsibility by appointing him as the Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha.

What statement did Kalyan Banerjee put out?

Writing on the social media platform 'X', Kalyan Banerjee stated: "I hold our police personnel in high esteem, particularly because I am, myself, the son of a police officer. However, I would like to remind them that their duty is to uphold and enforce the law with complete honesty and impartiality, rather than acting under the influence of any political leader—Suvendu Adhikari included. The police must serve the public without any bias, discrimination, or political coloration, remaining dedicated solely to the cause of justice and the Constitution."

Meanwhile, just a few days prior, Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee had removed Kakoli Ghosh from the post of the party's Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, reassigning the responsibility to Kalyan Banerjee. Upset by this decision, Ghosh had vented her frustration on social media. Ghosh had assumed this position in August of last year following Kalyan Banerjee's resignation; however, the responsibility was withdrawn from her within a span of just nine months.

Revolt inside the Trinamool Congress? 

Subsequently, in a social media post, she wrote: "An acquaintance dating back to 1976; a shared journey since 1984. Today, I have received the reward for four decades of unwavering loyalty." This post sparked a considerable uproar both within and outside the party, leading to the widespread belief that she was deeply aggrieved by the decision.

In the wake of these events, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has upgraded the security cover of Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar to the 'Y-Plus' category. This move comes at a time when reports are emerging regarding the reduction of security cover for several prominent Trinamool leaders—including Abhishek Banerjee—following recent political shifts in West Bengal.

Did Mamata Banerjee Raise Questions About the Police?

The Trinamool Congress suffered a crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The BJP formed the government in the state for the first time, following which Suvendu Adhikari became the Chief Minister. Last week, TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee told the Calcutta High Court that the police remained inactive during the violence that erupted in West Bengal following the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Amidst the ongoing demolition drive against illegal structures in West Bengal, she remarked that this (Bengal) is not a "bulldozer state." Mamata had appeared in court to present arguments in a case concerning alleged violence against Trinamool workers and attacks on party offices following the announcement of the Assembly election results.