Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 31: Amid the controversy surrounding protests by a section of UK-based Indians during West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s speech at Oxford University’s Kellogg College, a prominent Trinamool Congress (TMC) youth leader has criticized the party for its silence on the issue.

On Monday, Debangshu Bhattacharya, the in-charge of TMC’s Information Technology cell in West Bengal, accused several party leaders and elected representatives of failing to defend their supremo.

“I urge all elected representatives and party leaders to speak up against this insult to our supreme leader. Remember, the positions you hold today—whether as elected officials or key party figures—are because of her trust in you. You gained recognition and political stature because of the supreme leader and her party,” Bhattacharya stated.

He went on to argue that remaining silent during such moments of crisis amounts to betrayal. He also questioned why only a handful of party members always speak up while others remain passive.

“Why is it that only a few of us take a stand and then face trolling? Even we have families, yet we do not back down. If we can fight, why are you choosing to stay silent? If you wanted to avoid speaking up, why did you contest elections for panchayats, municipalities, the Assembly, and Parliament?” he challenged.

Bhattacharya emphasized that he has never displayed an “escapist attitude” in any crisis, recalling his vocal stance on issues like the harassment of Abhishek Banerjee by central agencies and the R.G. Kar tragedy.

Political analysts believe that Bhattacharya, a key figure in the “fresh blood” faction of the party, may be targeting the “old guard”, reigniting the long-standing internal debate within TMC over generational leadership.

However, opposition parties have dismissed his statements as part of TMC’s pre-election strategy, suggesting that such public displays of loyalty towards Mamata Banerjee often surface before major electoral contests.