CM’s brother Babun softens stance after Mamata’s snub

On Sunday, Trinamul Congress in its Brigade rally had announced the list of its candidates for 42 LS constituencies in the state.

Swapan Banerjee alias Babun

SNS | Kolkata | March 14, 2024 : Chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s younger brother Swapan Banerjee alias Babun mellowed down from his decision to contest against Trinamul Congress candidate Prasun Banerjee as an Independent in Howrah Lok Sabha constituency after the ruling party chief disowned all relationship with him.

High drama unfolded after the chief minister’s hard stance. There were also murmurs of ‘fissures’ in the Banerjee family at Harish Chatterjee Street unfolded on Wednesday when aggrieved Babun threatened to contest as an Independent candidate against the party’s officially nominated candidate. The former captain of the Indian football team has been given a ticket to contest parliamentary seat in Howrah again.

On Sunday, Trinamul Congress in its Brigade rally had announced the list of its candidates for 42 LS constituencies in the state.

Hours earlier, after claiming in the morning that he might contest as an Independent candidate from the Howrah Lok Sabha constituency, the CM’s younger brother withdrew his threat in the afternoon.

Claiming that the decision to contest as an Independent candidate stands withdrawn, Swapan Banerjee said that he would speak to the CM and settle things after returning to Kolkata from New Delhi.

“Right now I am in New Delhi. I will be going back to Kolkata soon and after that I will speak to the chief minister. She is my elder sister and also my guardian. So she has rightly said what she felt. I will go back and talk to her to settle things,” Swapan Banerjee said.

Babun had criticised the Trinamul Congress for its selection of Prasun Banerjee, three-time sitting MP from the same constituency, “I am not happy with the selection of the candidate… Prasun Banerjee is not the right choice. Many capable candidates who had been overlooked,” he had said.

“I can never forget the insult Prasun hurled at me during the AGM of Mohun Bagan club,” he declared.

Miss Banerjee while speaking to reporters in Siliguri this afternoon expressed strong displeasure over her brother’s outburst.

“My family and I renounce all relationships with Babun…” Miss Banerjee said.

“Before every election, he creates problems. I don’t like greedy people and don’t believe in dynasty politics. I have decided to disown him,” she said.

Babun said. “I am still under her leadership and she is my elder sister and a guardian also. It’s a blessing to me whatever she has told the media about me. I won’t contest the elections,” Babun told the media.

“As long as Mamata di is there, I will never quit and neither will I join any other party,” he said.

But earlier in the day, he said, “I know Didi would not agree with me. But, if needed, I will contest as an Independent from Howrah,”

Ms Banerjee’s move also comes amid speculation that he might switch over to the rival BJP.