Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh on Saturday attended Independence Day events organised by both factions of the party, triggering speculation about his political plans. However, Ghosh, a vocal supporter of Mamata Banerjee, later dismissed claims that he was moving towards the rival Ritabrata Banerjee camp.
Ghosh first attended the Mamata Banerjee faction’s programme at the old TMC office in Kalighat, where he hoisted the national flag on the party chief’s instructions. He later visited the rival faction’s event at the TMC’s rented office in Beleghata’s Metropolitan area, which falls within his constituency. There, he paid floral tributes at a martyrs’ memorial and briefly addressed those gathered.
Several prominent leaders from the Ritabrata camp, including Chandrima Bhattacharya, Arup Roy and Biplab Mitra, were present. Ghosh’s appearance at the event immediately fuelled speculation that he was seeking to maintain ties with the rival faction.
Kohinur Majumdar, a spokesperson for the Ritabrata faction, suggested that Ghosh’s visit could be an indication of a possible future shift.
“Kunal Ghosh came here. He has pressed the doorbell. He will come with his luggage after some time,” Majumdar said.
Ghosh rejected the suggestion that his presence represented a change in allegiance. Explaining his decision to attend, he said he was returning from the main Independence Day event in Kalighat when he saw people hoisting the national flag in the TMC’s name at a party office along his route.
“I stopped because it is in my assembly constituency and I saw people hoisting the national flag in the name of our party,” he said.
Taking aim at leaders whom he accused of distancing themselves from Mamata Banerjee and moving closer to the BJP, Ghosh said his appearance at the programme was intended to make his own position clear.
“Those who have created a distance from Kalighat and become close to the BJP should know that I stood before them and criticised the BJP,” he said.
Reiterating his allegiance to Mamata Banerjee, Ghosh said the Trinamool Congress was created under her leadership and claimed that some people were attempting to erase her name.
“There is no question of Kunal Ghosh having his foot in two boats. One foot is used to stand and the other to kick,” he said.
During the rival faction’s programme, Ghosh also called for the expulsion and arrest of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj over his alleged remarks concerning Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He said the BJP should demonstrate its respect for Netaji by removing Maharaj from the party and cancelling his Rajya Sabha membership.
He also criticised the BJP-led central government, alleging that its policies had adversely affected ordinary people both economically and socially.
“We are continuing our fight with BJP with Mamata Banerjee at the forefront,” Ghosh said.
Senior TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya, however, played down Ghosh’s presence at the rival faction’s event. She said the party believed in democracy and would not have prevented even a passer-by from stopping to pay respects.
“He was passing by and came here. What is the problem with that?” Bhattacharya said.
