Kolkata: Internal tensions within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have escalated after psychiatrist Dr Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, son of TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, initiated legal action against several senior party leaders, including former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The legal notice seeks a public apology and retraction over statements allegedly suggesting that Dr Dastidar had sought a party ticket to contest the Barasat Assembly constituency and over personal allegations directed at him and his family.
Legal notice sent to senior TMC leaders
Apart from Mamata Banerjee, the notice has also been served to TMC leaders Kalyan Banerjee, Sougata Roy, Mahua Moitra and former party leader Sonali Guha.
According to the notice, failure to issue an apology and clarification within the stipulated period could result in defamation proceedings.
The communication was reportedly filed through Advocate Pooja Shukla on behalf of Dr Dastidar.
Dispute centres on Barasat ticket claims
The controversy stems from remarks made earlier this month by Mamata Banerjee during a press conference.
In an apparent reference to internal party developments, the TMC chief had stated that certain individuals had approached her seeking an MLA ticket from Barasat but were denied by the party leadership.
She also remarked that merely because one family member was already serving as a Member of Parliament did not mean that others in the family should automatically become MPs or MLAs.
Although no individual was directly named, the comments triggered speculation and political debate within party circles.
Dastidar denies seeking political nomination
In the legal notice, Dr Dastidar categorically denied ever seeking a nomination to contest the Barasat Assembly seat.
He maintained that he neither expressed interest in entering electoral politics nor approached the party leadership regarding a candidature.
The notice describes claims linking political disagreements involving his mother to alleged electoral ambitions as “false” and “defamatory”.
According to the communication, any suggestion that recent tensions within the party arose because he was denied a ticket is factually incorrect.
Objection to personal allegations
The legal notice also takes exception to statements allegedly made by Sonali Guha regarding the personal lives of members of the Dastidar family.
Dr Dastidar strongly denied allegations that he, his brother and his mother regularly consumed alcohol, describing the claims as baseless and damaging to their reputation.
The notice argues that such public remarks have caused reputational harm to a medical professional with an established academic and clinical career.
It further demands that those named refrain from making similar statements in the future.
Counterclaim regarding political outreach
While rejecting claims that he sought a ticket, Dr Dastidar’s notice makes a counter-allegation.
According to the communication, individuals associated with political consultancy activities and local political networks had approached him on multiple occasions and encouraged him to participate in political and public outreach programmes.
The notice claims that representatives connected to campaign management efforts and local student leaders had repeatedly urged him to consider a larger public role.
However, it maintains that he never sought a nomination or expressed a desire to contest elections.
Demands made in the notice
The legal notice outlines several demands for those named.
Dr Dastidar has sought:
- Immediate cessation of statements concerning him in political discussions.
- Withdrawal and retraction of allegedly defamatory remarks.
- A commitment to avoid future public references involving him.
- A public clarification acknowledging that he never sought a party nomination.
- A formal apology within 15 days.
Failure to comply could pave the way for legal proceedings, including a defamation suit.
Internal unrest within TMC
The development comes amid growing turbulence within the Trinamool Congress following recent political setbacks and increasing reports of internal dissatisfaction.
Dr Dastidar’s mother, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, recently stepped down as president of the Barasat parliamentary district unit and resigned from key organisational responsibilities within the party.
A long-time associate of Mamata Banerjee, she has publicly voiced concerns about the functioning of the party, allegations of corruption and what she described as inadequate space for dissenting voices.
Her criticism intensified in recent weeks, with remarks suggesting that a section of party MPs was unhappy with the current direction of the organisation.
Political implications
Political observers believe the legal action could further expose divisions within the ruling party at a sensitive time.
The dispute has moved beyond routine political disagreements and entered the legal arena, bringing additional attention to the growing friction between sections of the party leadership and dissenting voices.
Whether the matter is resolved through clarification and apology or escalates into formal court proceedings may have significant political ramifications for the TMC in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
The legal notice issued by Dr Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar against Mamata Banerjee and other senior TMC leaders marks a new chapter in the internal tensions affecting the party. With demands for retractions, apologies and clarification now formally placed before key leaders, the controversy is likely to remain a major talking point in West Bengal politics.