Banerjee vs Banerjee: Rift in West Bengal’s first family as Mamata disowns brother
‘Maa Mati Manush’ is my family, declares CM as she severs ties with Babun
Blood is not thicker than water when it comes to politics. It’s quite common to see major rifts happen in political clans, especially before key elections. Think of the Thackerays. Now, cracks are developing in West Bengal’s most influential Banerjee family.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has publicly announced that she is severing all ties with her younger brother Swapan, popularly known as Babun. The cause of the discord was Babun’s expression of displeasure over the party renominating Prasun Banerjee, a former footballer, for the Howrah Lok Sabha seat, and his declaration that, if needed, he would himself contest as an Independent.
“I do not consider him to be a part of my family. I break all relations with him. From today, my family and I renounce all relationships with him,” a visibly angry Banerjee told reporters in Siliguri on Wednesday when asked about Babun’s remarks to the media.
‘NOT RIGHT CHOICE’
Earlier, Babun Banerjee, the youngest of the Trinamool Congress supremo’s five brothers, said, “I have been with the party for a long time. But I am not happy with the selection of the candidate for the Howrah Lok Sabha seat. Prasun Banerjee is not the right choice. Many capable candidates were overlooked.”
Prasun Banerjee, a former Indian football team captain, is a twotime Lok Sabha MP of the Trinamool Congress from the Howrah seat.
“I know Didi (Mamata) will not agree with me. But if needed, I will contest as an Independent candidate from Howrah,” Babun told reporters. He denied the speculation that he might switch to the BJP.
Talking to the media in Siliguri, the Chief Minister said, “I have been working with crores of people in my party. I have nothing called a family. ‘Maa Mati Manush’ is my family. In terms of blood relations, I have a family of 32 members. But no one is like him (Babun). Everyone is unhappy with him.”
Mamata Banerjee said she does not practice “dynasty politics” and stressed that “We will stand by our party candidate.”
Notably, the BJP has for long been criticising Mamata Banerjee for “promoting” dynasty politics. Her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, is Trinamool’s national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP from Diamond Harbour.