Kalyan Banerjee's quits as Abhishek Benarjee's counsel in HC case, issues ultimatum to Mamata Banerjee as TMC rift deepens

The turmoil within Trinamool Congress after their Bengal poll defeat boiled over on Thursday as senior MP and lawyer Kalyan Banerjee criticised national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and decided not to represent him in an ongoing legal case at the Calcutta High Court.

Speaking to the press, he disclosed that he has asked party chairperson Mamata Banerjee to "choose between me and Abhishek Banerjee", underling the escalating frcition and growing divisions.

"I am withdrawing myself from appearing in the case on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee. I have told Mamata Banerjee, you have to choose between me and Abhishek Banerjee," Kalyan said.

TMC is grappling with a rift within its ranks and at least 58 of ist 80 MLAs in state assembly and a reported 20 of the 29 Lok Sabha MPs have revolted against the leadership role of Abhishek.

Several Rajya Sabha MPs have also resigned citing disillusionment and dissent around Abhishek's leadership style, alleging that criticism of its is not entertained.

Being is a long-time Mamata loyalist, Kalyan's outburst adds to the pressure on Abhishek, already under intense legal and political pressure.

It also signal that the battle within TMC is now out in the open as Kalyan is one of the party's most prominent legal faces in Parliament and the courts.

Neither TMC, nor Abhishek or Mamata has spoken on Kalyan's comments yet.