Kalyan Banerjee dares rebel MPs and MLAs to tell "truth about RG Kar" to CBI

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on rebel party MPs Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sharmila Sarkar, invoking the RG Kar case during a press conference in Delhi. Addressing the two doctors-turned-politicians, he challenged them by saying, “What exactly happened at RG Kar? If you can, go and tell the truth to the CBI.” His remarks came amid ongoing political turmoil within the party and renewed references to the RG Kar incident by several rebel MPs and MLAs.

The RG Kar case remained a significant issue during the 2026 elections. Abhaya’s mother, Ratna Debnath, contested the election on behalf of the BJP seeking justice for her daughter’s death and was elected. In recent weeks, rebel leaders within the party have repeatedly referred to the incident. Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks have drawn attention because allegations had earlier been raised regarding the handling of information related to the case by the then state administration.

The comments were made against the backdrop of a major split within the Trinamool Congress. The party, led by Mamata Banerjee for nearly three decades, first faced a reported loss of control over its legislative wing after rebel MLAs aligned with Ritabrata Banerjee formed a separate grouping. Subsequently, reports emerged that 20 TMC MPs had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing their intention to support the NDA. While the rebel camp has largely avoided direct criticism of Mamata Banerjee, it has openly questioned party policies and the role of Abhishek Banerjee within the organisation.

During the press conference, Kalyan Banerjee described the rebels as “fair-weather birds” and alleged that they had become accustomed to power. He claimed that the BJP would not accept them because it possessed information regarding past allegations involving some leaders. Calling the rebels “traitors” and “birds of comfort,” he said that, except for Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the leaders concerned joined the party after 2011 and had not participated in earlier political struggles. He also stated that celebrity leaders were outsiders and alleged that grassroots workers had been wronged.

Referring again to the RG Kar movement, Kalyan Banerjee questioned when Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sharmila Sarkar had participated in protests, while stating that he himself had joined demonstrations. He also referred to Abhaya’s mother and questioned her decision to join the BJP despite what he described as allegations against the CBI. Reaffirming his support for Mamata Banerjee amid the political crisis, he stated that while others might have money, power, government authority and investigative agencies, he stood with the “Maa-Mati-Manush” ideology and would continue to support the party leadership.