HDFC Bank freezes Trinamool Congress account after dispute over party control

The HDFC Bank has reportedly placed a debit freeze on the main account of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, which holds approximately Rs 535 crore. The move follows a request from Aroop Biswas, a former West Bengal sports minister, who claimed he is the rightful party treasurer.

Biswas, who was removed as TMC treasurer by party chief Mamata Banerjee in July 2024, wrote to the bank asserting his authority over the account. He cited a dispute over party leadership and control of finances. The bank, after reviewing the request, imposed a debit freeze, meaning no withdrawals can be made from the account until the matter is resolved.

The TMC faction led by Mamata Banerjee has denied that any freeze was imposed. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that the account is operational and that Biswas no longer holds any official position in the party. “The party’s accounts are under the control of the authorised signatories appointed by the chairperson,” Ghosh said.

Legal experts say the freeze could complicate the party’s financial operations, including election spending and daily expenses. The TMC is one of India’s major regional parties and is in power in West Bengal.

The dispute highlights internal tensions within the TMC after several members, including Biswas, have been sidelined in recent months. Biswas’s removal as treasurer was part of a larger reshuffle by Banerjee ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

Neither the party nor the bank has issued an official statement confirming the freeze. The matter is expected to be resolved through legal channels or party consensus.