Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Apr 8: A major internal feud has erupted within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya on Monday released purported WhatsApp chat screenshots and a video suggesting infighting between TMC MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Kirti Azad, following an earlier public spat between two party MPs at the Election Commission (EC) office.
The video posted by Malviya showed a heated verbal exchange between the MPs, while the screenshots revealed a bitter back-and-forth on the party’s official WhatsApp group for parliamentarians. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the chats circulating on social media, which included sharp remarks allegedly made by Banerjee towards a fellow woman MP, referred to as the “versatile international lady.”
In the screenshots, Banerjee reportedly wrote: “Today I congratulate the gentleman who opened the beautiful activities of versatile international lady. That day not a single boyfriend of her stood behind her... Let me see your power to get me arrested for your friend.” He further said, “Send your BSF and Delhi Police to arrest me. Your Home Ministry's connection is very strong, international great lady.”
Azad, in response, attempted to calm tensions, writing: “Take it easy Kalyan. You have had one too many. Don’t act like a juvenile delinquent… Stop your childish and erratic behaviour. Act like an adult. Don’t instigate anybody.”
Banerjee shot back, saying, “Don’t advise me Kirti. You were thrown out from BJP for doing internal politics... Your popularity is so much that you lost election in cricket.”
The incident reportedly began at the EC headquarters where Banerjee and the woman MP were part of a TMC delegation to submit a party memorandum. The situation escalated into a confrontation, with the woman MP allegedly asking security to arrest Banerjee for misbehaving.
Speaking to reporters, Kalyan Banerjee acknowledged the spat and placed blame on the woman MP. “This woman MP was asking the security personnel outside the EC office to arrest me. Who are they to send me to jail? She hurled abuses towards me,” he said. “Just because she speaks fluent English doesn’t mean she can insult anybody.”
Banerjee, who is the TMC’s chief whip in Lok Sabha, further alleged that Kirti Azad provoked him and leaked the chats. “It was Kirti Azad who provoked me and was lecturing me on what to do. He has leaked the WhatsApp chats,” he claimed.
The woman MP reportedly left the WhatsApp group and sent letters to party chief Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Both MPs are said to have verbally complained to Mamata Banerjee, escalating the issue to the top leadership.
Senior TMC MP Sougata Roy condemned Banerjee’s conduct and called for action. “What he has done has maligned the party. It should immediately remove Kalyan Banerjee from the post of chief whip. He misbehaves and insults everyone in the party,” Roy told reporters.
Initially, Roy claimed ignorance about the incident but later admitted that the controversy had brought disrepute to the party. A senior TMC leader, requesting anonymity, said the dispute began over who would sign the EC memorandum, with the situation quickly spiraling out of control.
Meanwhile, Amit Malviya continued to attack the TMC on social media, posting: “Soon after the public spat between two TMC MPs in the precincts of the Election Commission of India on April 4, the irate MP continued slandering the ‘Versatile International Lady (VIL)’… This is the stuff legends are made of!”
In another post, he added, “It is obvious that the chat screenshots and videos of TMC MPs squabbling have been leaked from within… Help Mamata Banerjee figure out who leaked them.”
The controversy, coming at a time when political temperatures are rising in West Bengal, has triggered a wave of embarrassment for the ruling party. Party leadership is now expected to take a final call on disciplinary action.