2 weeks ago
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh attends rival faction's I-Day event, sparks speculation
There is a big political party in India called the Trinamool Congress.
Right now, the party is split into two groups, and both groups held special Independence Day celebrations on the same day.
A leader named Kunal Ghosh went to both celebrations, which surprised many people.
Some people thought he might be planning to switch to the other group.
But Kunal Ghosh said he only stopped by the second celebration because it was in his area and he saw people raising the national flag.
He said he is still loyal to Mamata Banerjee, who started the party.
At the second celebration, he spoke against another political party called the BJP.
He also said a BJP leader should be arrested for bad remarks about a famous Indian leader named Netaji.
Another leader at the second celebration said anyone is welcome to pay their respects on Independence Day.
People are now watching to see what Kunal Ghosh does next.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh attended Independence Day programmes organised by both the Mamata Banerjee faction and the rival Ritabrata Banerjee faction in Kolkata on August 15.
After hoisting the national flag at the old TMC office in Kalighat, Ghosh stopped at the rival camp's event in Beleghata because it fell within his assembly constituency.
A spokesperson for the Ritabrata faction, Kohinur Majumdar, suggested Ghosh's visit could be a precursor to him joining their camp, a suggestion Ghosh dismissed.
Ghosh said he attended the rival event to criticise the BJP and asserted he remains loyal to Mamata Banerjee, the TMC's founder.
At the rival faction's programme, Ghosh demanded the expulsion and arrest of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj over alleged remarks concerning Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Senior TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya played down Ghosh's presence, saying the camp would not stop anyone from paying tribute on Independence Day.
- Who
- TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, party supremo Mamata Banerjee, the rival Ritabrata Banerjee faction led by leaders including Chandrima Bhattacharya, Arup Roy and Biplab Mitra, spokesperson Kohinur Majumdar, and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj.
- What
- Kunal Ghosh attended Independence Day programmes organised by both factions of the TMC, triggering speculation about his future political moves.
- Where
- Kolkata, at the old TMC office in Kalighat and at the rival faction's rented office premises in Beleghata's Metropolitan area.
- When
- Saturday, August 15 (Independence Day).
- Why
- Ghosh said he stopped at the rival camp's event because it was in his assembly constituency and people were hoisting the national flag in the name of the TMC, and to make his position clear against the BJP.
Rival faction suggests Ghosh may defect
Ghosh and loyalists deny switching sides
Reason for attending the rival event
Rival faction suggests Ghosh may defect
Kohinur Majumdar of the Ritabrata faction suggested Ghosh's visit could be a precursor to him joining their camp, saying he had 'pressed the doorbell' and would 'come with his luggage after some time.'
Ghosh and loyalists deny switching sides
Ghosh dismissed the suggestion, saying he stopped only because the party office was in his assembly constituency and people were hoisting the national flag in the name of the TMC, insisting he has no foot in two boats.
Significance of Ghosh's presence
Rival faction suggests Ghosh may defect
Several prominent Ritabrata camp leaders were present, and Ghosh paid floral tribute and briefly addressed the gathering, fuelling speculation he may be seeking to maintain links with the rival faction.
Ghosh and loyalists deny switching sides
Chandrima Bhattacharya of the rival camp itself played down the visit, saying the group believes in democracy and would not stop anyone from paying tribute on Independence Day.
Key facts
- Event
- Independence Day programmes by two TMC factions
- Date
- August 15 (Saturday)
- Location
- Kalighat and Beleghata, Kolkata
- Main figure
- TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh
- Party factions
- Mamata Banerjee faction and Ritabrata Banerjee faction
- Key demand
- Expulsion and arrest of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj
- News agency
- PTI
Quotes
Chandrima Bhattacharya
Member of the Ritabrata Banerjee faction
“"We believe in democracy. If even a passer‑by came and said he wanted to pay his respects, we would not have stopped him. He was passing by and came here. What is the problem with that?"”
theprint.in
“"I stopped because it is in my assembly constituency and I saw people hoisting the national flag in the name of our party."”
theprint.in
Sources
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