In a significant internal rift within the Trinamool Congress, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, appear to be at odds over the recent transfer of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. The transfer, which followed the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital, has sparked widespread protests and drawn intense scrutiny from various quarters.
Sources indicate that Abhishek Banerjee, who holds the influential position of General Secretary within the party, has chosen to distance himself from the controversy. Notably, he has refrained from participating in the Chief Minister’s rallies and padyatras, which have called for swift action from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), currently handling the case. According to insiders, Abhishek Banerjee is dissatisfied with Mamata Banerjee’s response to the crisis, particularly her perceived reluctance to take strong action against alleged corrupt practices at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
A faction of doctors close to the Chief Minister is believed to have supported Dr. Ghosh, and this group has come under fire on social media for alleged corruption. Abhishek Banerjee, concerned about the party’s image, reportedly feels that a more decisive approach was necessary to address the situation. Following an attack on the hospital by miscreants on August 14, Abhishek Banerjee acted swiftly, contacting the Police Commissioner to emphasize the urgency of the matter. This move stood in contrast to the Chief Minister’s more measured response.
In an apparent escalation of the internal conflict, Mamata Banerjee has pointed fingers at Santanu Sen, a former Rajya Sabha MP closely aligned with Abhishek Banerjee. She has removed Sen from his roles within the NRS Hospital’s patients’ committee and as the party’s spokesperson. The Chief Minister has also expressed frustration over her nephew’s lack of active involvement in managing the crisis, urging him to take more responsibility and participate in the ongoing rallies.
Amid these tensions, Mamata Banerjee has taken direct control of media relations, sidelining Abhishek Banerjee’s media team. This move signals her determination to steer the party’s narrative during this challenging period. Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee is set to leave for New York in mid-September for eye surgery, a development that adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught situation.
The differences between Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee echo past conflicts within the Left Front government, particularly the well-known rift between leaders Jyoti Basu and Promod Dasgupta. Those clashes were often seen as a struggle between the state government’s Writers’ Building headquarters and the party’s Alimuddin Street headquarters. In the current scenario, a similar division seems to be emerging between the state government’s Nabanna headquarters and Abhishek Banerjee’s office at Camac Street.
The controversy surrounding the trainee doctor’s rape and murder, which occurred on August 9, has led to nationwide protests. Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, has been arrested in connection with the case, which is now under CBI investigation. Demonstrations, led by resident doctors and concerned citizens, continue to demand accountability and improved safety measures for medical professionals.
Adding to the government’s woes, the Supreme Court has criticized the West Bengal administration for its handling of the case, particularly the delay in filing an FIR. As the legal proceedings unfold, the political and familial tensions within the Trinamool Congress are likely to remain a focal point, with potential implications for the party’s future leadership and public image.
