Ritabrata Banerjee, a rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and newly named Leader of Opposition, accused Abhishek Banerjee of fostering a toxic leadership style.

This public rift signals deepening instability within the ruling party of West Bengal. The accusations target the party's internal hierarchy and the influence of the TMC general secretary over party workers.

In an exclusive interview, Ritabrata Banerjee said the primary conflict within the party is a fight against "bossing culture." He said that all discontent within the TMC leads back to Abhishek Banerjee [1, 2]. This internal friction, according to the MLA, creates an environment of anger among the party's rank and file [1, 2].

The political tension comes as the party maintains a significant presence in the state legislature. Ritabrata Banerjee said the TMC holds a two-thirds majority of MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly [3]. Despite this numerical strength, the rebel MLA suggests that the leadership approach of Abhishek Banerjee undermines party cohesion.

Parallel to these internal disputes, the TMC general secretary is facing scrutiny from local authorities. A Kolkata civic body has sent notices to 17 properties allegedly linked to Abhishek Banerjee [4]. These notices add a layer of legal and administrative pressure to the existing political turmoil.

Throughout the interview, Ritabrata Banerjee focused on the disparity between the party's public image and its internal management. He said the current atmosphere is defined by a top-down approach that alienates members who disagree with the general secretary's methods [1, 2].

“"Our fight is against bossing culture."”

The public break between Ritabrata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee highlights a struggle for power and identity within the Trinamool Congress. By framing his opposition as a fight against 'bossing culture,' the rebel MLA is attempting to mobilize party workers who feel marginalized by the general secretary's centralized control. When combined with the civic notices regarding property links, these developments suggest a multi-pronged challenge to Abhishek Banerjee's authority both within the party and in the public sphere.