In Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee severed familial ties with her younger sibling, Babun Banerjee, following his discontent with the party’s decision to re-nominate ex-footballer and two-time Lok Sabha MP, Prasun Banerjee, for the Howrah Lok Sabha seat.
“I no longer regard him (Babun) as part of our kin. Henceforth, he shall not be introduced as my sibling. Prasun Banerjee, an Arjuna Award recipient, remains our party’s chosen candidate,” asserted Mamata.
Accusing the BJP of instigating discord, she added, “The BJP ought to focus on politics and refrain from involving my family in their machinations.” Babun Banerjee, though refuting rumors of BJP affiliation, hinted at the possibility of contesting the upcoming elections independently from Howrah.
“Prasun Bandopadhyay’s selection is questionable, given the overlooked deserving candidates during the finalization of Trinamool Congress’s candidate list. While I understand Didi’s stance, I cannot overlook the disrespect and taunts Prasun directed at me during the Mohun Bagan club’s annual general meeting,” Babun remarked.
He also noted his ties to sports and acquaintanceship with several BJP figures involved in the same sphere. Meanwhile, the Trinamool’s predicament with the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat persists, with sitting MP Arjun Singh reiterating his desire to contest from Barrackpore on March 13.
In conversation with Etv Bharat, Singh equated independent candidacy with traveling without a ticket and reaffirmed his commitment to contesting from Barrackpore, opposing Partha Bhowmick, the party’s chosen candidate.
In response, the CM emphasized Bhowmick’s stature as the state’s irrigation minister and underscored her adherence to meritocracy in candidate selection, rejecting claims of dynastic politics.
Internal dissent surfaced following the announcement of candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Sayantika Banerjee, aspiring for the Bankura seat, resigned from all party positions on March 11 citing personal reasons. Arup Chakraborty, MLA for Taldangra, emerged as the Trinamool’s candidate for the Bankura seat.