West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly defends her nephew and Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee amid rising internal dissent and recent defections ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Speaking through a Facebook Live address, Banerjee dismissed claims by some leaders that Abhishek’s way of working is responsible for the party’s troubles. She said the criticism is being used as a pretext by leaders who want to justify leaving the party.
Banerjee also asserted that Abhishek “is still fighting like a tiger” and that any past mistakes, if they existed, were overcome or forgiven. She did not directly name all departing leaders, but alleged that one of them had told her that central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had issued summons to his family before he switched sides. Banerjee further argued that agencies such as the ED and CBI are being used to pressure political figures.
She called those who have left “betrayers and traitors,” while also saying that those who want to exit are free to go. Banerjee said she can rebuild the TMC using its grassroots base and vowed to continue the political struggle to defeat the BJP.
