TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Leaves Martyrs’ Day Rally After Alleged Dispute With Mamata

Kalyan Banerjee Abruptly Leaves the July 21 Martyrs’ Day Rally

Tensions on the Martyrs’ Day Stage

The July 21 rally saw an unexpected departure this year when Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee left the stage while the event was still in progress. According to reports, the exit occurred specifically while party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee was delivering his address. The event was held on a stage constructed in front of the Birla Planetarium.

Mamata Banerjee Confronts the Serampore MP Over Speech Length

The circumstances surrounding his exit have drawn attention due to conflicting accounts regarding the interaction between the MP and party leadership. Sources cited suggest that the MP had spoken for approximately 22 minutes, exceeding an instruction to keep speeches brief. Reports indicate that Mamata Banerjee entered the stage while the Serampore MP was speaking. A source present on the stage claimed that the leader gestured for Banerjee to conclude his address, but the MP continued. According to one account, MLA Kunal Ghosh intervened in the matter. Following his speech, reports suggest that Mamata Banerjee spoke to Kalyan Banerjee in a stern tone, leading to an argument. Shortly after, the MP left the stage and traveled to his home in Kalighat, located three houses away from Mamata Banerjee’s residence.

Conflicting Explanations for the Departure

Kalyan Banerjee has publicly addressed the speculation surrounding his absence, explicitly denying that any altercation took place. When questioned by journalists, he stated that his departure was due to personal reasons and indicated he might return to the event later. Conversely, some Kalighat-based TMC sources suggested he left to attend to court-related matters.

For more on this story, see Kalyan Banerjee Exits TMC Rally After Confrontation With Mamata Banerjee.

Mahua Moitra and Other Speakers Omitted From the Event Schedule

The situation remains subject to interpretation, with different narratives circulating among party insiders. Because of the extended length of Kalyan Banerjee’s speech, the event schedule was disrupted. According to reports, several speakers who were on the list were unable to deliver their addresses, including Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, Kirti Azad, Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, Sagarika Ghose, and Rajib Kumar. After Banerjee’s departure, the event continued with speeches from Saugata Roy, Priyanka Adhikari, Upasana Chowdhury, and Abhishek Banerjee.

Political Context of the July 21 Event

Despite the internal tension, the rally proceeded with a focus on party messaging. In his remarks before leaving, Kalyan Banerjee stated, Without Mamata, there is no Trinamool, no opposition party, and no public. He further criticized the BJP, claiming that those supporting the party have an expiry date of 2029.

The event also served as a platform for Mamata Banerjee to address the party’s direction. The party leader stated, Forgive me, you are not needed, while urging those associated with the BJP to join the party rather than acting as a “cushion.” She further remarked, There are a few lakh people standing behind me. There is no end in sight in front. See to it that an incident like a stampede does not happen. According to reports, she noted that she, along with Abhishek, Derek, Mahua, Kalyan, Upasana, Dola, and countless workers, had fought throughout the previous night.

Sources: Anandabazar Patrika, News18 Bengali.