More than meets the eye? Abhishek Banerjee MIA as TMC faces fire from Opposition and within

Trinamool Congress MP and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. (File Photo: PTI)

The Trinamool Congress appears to be in a state of indecisiveness over articulating its stand on the administration’s actions following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 and the subsequent vandalism on August 14.

While it  continues to face criticism from the Opposition as well as its national allies over the horrific incident, Abhishek Banerjee, Lok Sabha MP and its second-in-command after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has limited himself to social media.

What’s complicating things further for the Trinamool leadership are remarks by some of its own leaders questioning the decisions of the administration.

Rift in Trinamool Congress?

In his first remarks after the vandalism at the hospital on the eve of Independence Day, Banerjee demanded the arrest of all those behind it. In a post on X, he wrote: “The hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar tonight have exceeded all acceptable limits. As a public representative, I just spoke with @CPKolkata, urging him to ensure that every individual responsible for today’s violence is identified, held accountable, and made to face the law within the next 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations. The demands of the protesting doctors are fair and justified. This is the minimum they should expect from the government. Their safety and security must be prioritised.”

While the remarks were justified, his absence at Mamata’s rally demanding capital punishment for the culprits was telling. “The Left and Congress are doing conspiracy. We will fight it under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. We need to correct certain mistakes…We will fight, but we need Abhishek Banerjee to be active,” TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said in a post on X on Sunday.

While Abhishek may have made the right noises on social media, his absence on the ground and silence within the party has sparked rumours of a possible rift within the party.

Abhishek’s silence: More than meets the eye?

A Lok Sabha MP from the Diamond Harbour seat, Abhishek is largely credited for successfully managing the party’s campaign during the 2014 general elections. Appointed as the party’s national general secretary, Abhishek serves as the second-in-command in the party after CM Mamata Banerjee.

In June this year, Abhishek announced that he was proceeding on a short sabbatical from the TMC due to some pressing medical reasons. He said that he would use this time off to explore and understand the needs of our people and community.

Several leaders of the Trinamool Congress, however, believe that Abhishek’s silence at a time when the party faces one of its biggest crises has more than meets the eye. Trinamool Congress sources told CNN-News18 that Abhishek wanted some key changes following the party’s below par performance in urban pockets in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Abhishek, as per the sources, wanted some non-performers in the party sacked, leading to the rift between the senior and junior rungs in the TMC widening further. Those close to Abhishek add that administrative issues may hamper the party’s prospects in the Assembly elections due in 2026.

Some party insiders also point out that Abhishek’s silence may be on account of some “wrong steps” by the administration and the behaviour of some senior party leaders.

TMC speaking in two voices?

Some key leaders of the Trinamool Congress have sought to question their own government in the RG Kar Hospital incident while others have countered them only to raise fresh doubts. The incidents reveal that Mamata may losing hold over the narrative in West Bengal, and its own leaders may have to take some blame for it.

Senior TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, for instance, raised doubts over the efficacy of the probe by Kolkata Police in the matter and demanded the interrogation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal in the case.

I also demand justice in RGKar case.
But strongly oppose this demand regarding CP. After got information He has tried his best. Personally CP was doing his job and investigation was in a positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader. https://t.co/quLVsUEXCd

— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) August 18, 2024

“CBI must act fairly. Custodial interrogation of Ex Principal and Police Commissioner is a must to know who and why floated suicide story. Why wall of hall demolished, who patronised Roy to be so powerful, Why sniffer dog used after 3 days.100s of such questions. Make them speak (sic),” he said in a post on X.

He was, however, countered by party colleague Kumal Ghosh who agreed with the demand for a fair probe into the RG Kar Hospital case but differed on Sukhendu’s take on the Commissioner of police.

“I also demand justice in RGKar case. But strongly oppose this demand regarding CP. After got information He has tried his best. Personally, CP was doing his job and investigation was in a positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader,” Ghosh said.

Notably, Sukendu sat on a dharna alone at the RG Kar Hospital on August 14 and also wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah about the incident. Kunal Ghosh too had questioned the government’s decision to reinstate Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Hospital and also red-flagged the improper communication with the trainee doctor’s parents and undertaking infrastructure work near the scene of crime.

Meanwhile, the BJP has taken a swipe on the bickering between leaders of the Trinamool Congress to claim that the state machinery has sunk to new lows.

“TMC, even your own members admit that Sandip Ghosh and CP Vinit are involved in more than just the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor. This state machinery has sunk to new lows, with party members now questioning the extent of this government's downfall,” he said, referring to the difference of opinion between Sukhendu and Kunal Ghosh.