Trinamool Congress Faces Internal Struggles as Anubrata Mondal and Bikramjit Shaw Remain Under Scrutiny

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, June 3, 2025 : Recent events within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suggest that the party is grappling with internal tensions and public controversies involving some of its most prominent figures. Speculation is growing about the party leadership’s efforts to recalibrate its strategy, particularly regarding controversial figures such as Anubrata Mondal, whose influence within the party may be slowly waning.

Abhishek Banerjee, a central figure in the TMC, is expected to make a final decision about Mondal’s future within the party upon his return from an international trip. In the meantime, the party has swiftly moved to address other tensions, notably by suspending Bikramjit Shaw, a close ally of Mondal and the state president of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), following a violent incident that went viral on social media.

The incident, which took place in Birbhum's Belagam, saw Bikramjit attack Bolpur IC Liton Halder during a live-streamed broadcast. Although the video was later deleted, it rapidly spread through local and regional political circles, causing significant public backlash. In response, the TMC issued a suspension letter on Sunday, with Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) state president Trinankur Bhattacharya confirming that Bikramjit Shaw would be suspended for six years from his role in the student wing. This swift action appears to be part of the party’s efforts to contain the damage and preserve its public image.

In the viral video, Bikramjit is heard making a series of inflammatory statements, accusing Liton Halder of corruption and even implying that Halder was planning to transfer his assets to Anubrata Mondal. The video’s inflammatory content, which included threats directed at Halder and his family, further fueled tensions within the party and the region.

The TMC’s response to the incident was immediate and decisive. Bhattacharya condemned Bikramjit’s actions as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that such behavior did not align with the party's values. Although the video was deleted and the suspension handed down, the internal conflict remains a focal point within the party, raising questions about the influence of figures like Mondal and the potential power struggle within the TMC ranks.

Meanwhile, Anubrata Mondal himself continues to make headlines for his refusal to comply with police summons. Despite being summoned by the Bolpur SDPO on Saturday and Sunday, Mondal failed to appear both times. Instead, his lawyer presented a medical report explaining Mondal’s absence, stating that he had been advised bed rest for five days. Mondal’s supporters are now suggesting that he is the victim of a conspiracy, a narrative that his lawyer, Bipad Taran Bhattacharya, reiterated in an interview with the media.

Bhattacharya, while unwilling to elaborate on the details, insisted that Mondal’s case would be resolved through the legal system. He also expressed confidence in the law, judiciary, and administration, although he refrained from commenting further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Complicating matters, local TMC leader Debabrata Sarkar fueled rumors of a conspiracy, suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) had been used to doctor an audio tape that allegedly captured Mondal’s conversation with Liton Halder. Sarkar's comments were vague, but they seem to signal a coordinated effort to downplay the allegations against Mondal and shift the narrative to one of victimhood.

This chain of events has left the Trinamool Congress in a precarious position. With both Mondal and Shaw under intense scrutiny, the leadership must navigate a complex internal landscape. The suspension of Shaw and the ongoing controversy surrounding Mondal’s legal issues suggest that the party is facing challenges in controlling its own members and handling public relations effectively.

As the situation develops, it remains unclear whether these actions will lead to further fissures within the party or whether they will serve to reinforce the TMC’s resolve to manage its leadership more tightly. Whatever the outcome, the unfolding drama is likely to have lasting implications for the Trinamool Congress and its position in Bengal’s volatile political arena.