A fresh row has erupted in the political circles of West Bengal with Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee expressing his displeasure over CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya representing a former MLA of Trinamool Congress before the Calcutta High Court.
Mr. Bhattacharya, a designated senior advocate had appeared for former Trinamool Congress MLA Aditi Munshi and her husband in a case where the couple has sought anticipatory bail before the Calcutta High Court. Without directly naming Mr. Bhattacharya, Kalyan Banerjee, who is himself a senior advocate, raised questions on the CPI(M) leader for defending his own party’s former MLA and her husband both of whom “face serious allegations of corruption.”
“A learned senior advocate, who frequently projects himself as a crusader against corruption, is now appearing on behalf of a former TMC MLA and her husband, both of whom face serious allegations of corruption. The irony is striking when the same gentleman argues in court that 32,000 primary teachers secured employment through corrupt means,” Mr. Banerjee had posted on social media.
Several leaders of Trinamool Congress, including party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee have approached Calcutta High Court seeking protection from arrest in several FIRs filed against them since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the State. The Trinamool general secretary was defended by Kalyan Banerjee in the High Court.
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a former Rajya Sabha MP had highlighted corruption in the recruitment of teachers by the Trinamool Congress government. The allegations of corruption against the Mamata Banerjee government finally brought her defeat in the 2026 Assembly polls.
“At the very least, such contradictions should compel him to refrain from claiming the moral high ground on corruption in the future. Professional responsibility cannot always be used as a shield when selectively targeting one side while defending another facing similar allegations,” Mr. Banerjee said.
The Trinamool Congress MP also pointed out that these developments naturally raise an important political question — “is there some form of tacit understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M)?”
It is interesting to note that after the change of regime in West Bengal, the CPI(M) leadership had refused to meet with Trinamool Congress on the ground that there were serious allegations of corruption against the party which was in power from 2011 to 2026.
Curated by Dr. Elena Rodriguez
