Kalyan Banerjee launches explosive attack on IPAC & TMC
A major internal rift has emerged within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after senior party leader Kalyan Banerjee openly criticised Abhishek Banerjee and several other leaders following the party’s poor performance in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Kalyan Banerjee accused the party leadership of moving away from grassroots workers and becoming increasingly dependent on outside consultants and strategists. He blamed these advisers for the party’s electoral setback and questioned their growing influence within the organisation.
During a press conference, Banerjee also targeted leaders including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, alleging that poor management, controversies over ticket distribution and excessive centralisation of power had weakened the party structure.
The criticism comes at a difficult time for the TMC, which lost power in West Bengal after ruling the state for 15 years. In the aftermath of the defeat, several party leaders have raised concerns over the role of I-PAC, the political consultancy firm accused by some leaders of having excessive influence over candidate selection and campaign strategy.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is reportedly trying to contain the growing unrest within the party as factionalism and infighting continue to intensify. Some leaders have also begun openly questioning the party’s internal functioning and leadership decisions.
Political observers see Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks as one of the sharpest public attacks yet on Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership style. Analysts believe the controversy reflects a broader power struggle within the TMC as the party attempts to regroup after its electoral defeat.
