Several Trinamool MLAs skip Mamata's Kalighat meeting, fearing 'public outrage'

A deep sense of panic has settled over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) following consecutive violent attacks on top leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee. A crucial meeting of the 80 newly elected MLAs, called by party supremo Mamata Banerjee for Sunday at 4 pm at her Kalighat residence, faces a potential boycott by its own members. Many MLAs have reportedly informed the leadership that they are terrified of leaving their homes, fearing they will be intercepted and beaten by the public before they can even reach the venue. Sources suggest the turnout may be dismal, with only 25 of the 80 legislators expected to show up.

Internal dissent is also surfacing as several MLAs, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have begun to distance themselves from the top leadership. While condemning the violence in Sonarpur, some legislators have pointed fingers at Abhishek Banerjee himself, holding his leadership style responsible for the party's current "collapse" and the public’s visible ire. Similarly, the heckling of Kalyan Banerjee in Hooghly is being viewed by some colleagues as a "reflection" of his past public conduct and rhetoric, further highlighting a growing fracture within the party's ranks.

The reluctance is particularly high among MLAs from Howrah, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas, who are reportedly unwilling to risk their safety for the party meeting. Beyond the threat of physical assault, the legislators are also reeling from CID notices issued in connection with a signature forgery case, which has added a layer of legal fear to their existing security concerns. Many have expressed a lack of trust in the party leadership, with some stating they would rather stay home than end up in a hospital after a public confrontation.