Bengal Political Storm: ED Targets TMC Leaders, Rebels Claim Growing Support

West Bengal's political landscape witnessed fresh turbulence on Friday as central and state agencies stepped up investigations involving senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, rebel lawmakers claimed expanding support within the party, and opposition parties sharpened their attacks. The developments have added to the uncertainty surrounding the state's ruling party at a politically sensitive time.

ED searches, FIR controversy deepen pressure on TMC

BJP State General Secretary Locket Chatterjee alleged that law enforcement agencies were conducting searches at the Kolkata residence of TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee. At the same time, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was carrying out searches at seven premises linked to TMC MLA Madan Mitra in connection with the municipality recruitment scam case.

The developments come amid reports that an FIR has been lodged against former Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee over alleged communal remarks made during a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. According to the allegations, Banerjee told members of a minority community that their safety depended on her leadership and urged them not to be influenced by what she described as the BJP's "misleading" statements.

Abhishek Banerjee vows legal battle, dismisses internal rift concerns

Amid the escalating political confrontation, Abhishek Banerjee confirmed that he had received a notice from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a speech-related case and would appear before the agency again on June 14.

"You know I have been summoned by the CID. I remained there for 5.30 hours. I am summoned again on 14th June. I will attend that. I always cooperate with this kind of investigation," Banerjee said.

He accused authorities of pursuing multiple cases against him following a change in government and questioned the lack of action against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Many people are running source-based stories fed by CID in connection with my appearance. We will move the High Court against this matter in connection with the leaks being made when I am not sharing any information in this sub-judice matter. We will not leave an inch in this battle. You cannot bend us; we are not afraid of agencies," Banerjee said.

Responding to recent criticism from senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who reportedly described him as "arrogant" over a legal dispute involving a signature forgery case, Abhishek Banerjee sought to downplay tensions within the party.

"I will not speak against him. Our differences are personal. There are no grudges, and I believe internal party matters should not be discussed publicly," he said.

Rebel camp claims strength as opposition sharpens attacks

Political uncertainty deepened after expelled TMC leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Sandipan Saha, claimed that support for a dissident faction within the party had increased.

"The number is 64. When we started, the number was 58. We did not think that so many MLAs would join us. It has increased from 58 to 64," Saha told reporters.

Adding to the challenge for the ruling party, rebel TMC MP Jagadish Barma Basunia claimed that nearly 20 dissident Trinamool MPs would meet the Lok Sabha Speaker on Monday and extend support to the NDA.

"We have been given a date for Monday. All rebel MPs will go to meet the Speaker. They are arriving in Delhi tomorrow. A meeting of all MPs with CM Suvendu Adhikari will be held on Sunday, and then we will meet the Speaker on Monday. Nineteen MPs will be there," Basunia said.

The developments also attracted national political attention after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly told INDIA bloc leaders that elections were being "stolen" and urged opposition parties not to fall for BJP propaganda. He is also reported to have expressed concern that some alliance partners, including the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), continued to rely on conventional political strategies despite changing electoral realities.

With corruption investigations, agency action, claims of rebellion within the TMC and mounting opposition pressure unfolding simultaneously, West Bengal is likely to witness an increasingly charged political atmosphere in the days ahead.

(With inputs from ANI)