Mamata Banerjee defends Abhishek Banerjee, accuses BJP of using agencies to break TMC

West Bengal's former chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday gave a strong public endorsement to her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, rejecting allegations that his leadership style had caused a rebellion in the Trinamool Congress (TMC). She accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using central agencies and police to engineer defections, and said she was willing to rebuild the party from scratch if necessary.

Speaking during a Facebook Live interaction, Banerjee apologised to the people "on behalf of the traitors" and asserted that neither she nor her family had ever compromised for political survival. "They wanted me to suffer a heart attack. But I will live till I see your end," she said.

The TMC supremo’s comments came hours after senior MLA Madan Mitra left the party to join a rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. Mitra had earlier demanded that Abhishek Banerjee "step aside for six months", and claimed his demand was rejected. Banerjee linked Mitra’s exit to an Enforcement Directorate summons issued to his wife and two sons on Tuesday, stating, "The person who left today had yesterday informed us that he and his family had received a summons. We understood then that he might switch camps. Abhishek has nothing to do with his decision."

Without naming the BJP directly, Banerjee alleged that central agencies had become instruments for dismantling the opposition. "The BJP is using police to break the TMC. They are using fear and threats to dismantle municipal boards," she said. She claimed that leaders facing investigations were choosing "political convenience over conviction" and entering the BJP's "washing machine".

Banerjee rejected allegations that Abhishek Banerjee's high-handedness had fuelled the rebellion, insisting instead that he had become a target because he refused to compromise. "Abhishek Banerjee has been turned into an excuse. His family members were summoned. Had he wanted, he could have got relief. But he did not run away from the battlefield. He is fighting like a tiger," she said.

Striking an emotional note, Banerjee said, "I apologise before the people on behalf of the traitors. I have not sold my conscience for political survival. Had I compromised, we would not have faced so much torture." She invoked the party's recovery after electoral setbacks in 2004, stating, "No one can stop me. If I could start afresh after 2004, then I can start again after 2026."

Banerjee also expressed solidarity with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying she had spoken to him during his ongoing fast.

Wednesday's remarks marked Banerjee's clearest attempt yet to politically insulate Abhishek Banerjee as rebels have sought to make his leadership style the central issue behind the split. The intervention underlined that the succession question inside the party is no longer ambiguous.