Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has formally accused fellow party leader Kalyan Banerjee of verbal abuse and misogynistic behaviour in a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The allegations surfaced a day after Dastidar resigned from all organisational posts within the party, intensifying speculation about growing internal tensions in the TMC.
In her letter, Dastidar sought permission to file a formal complaint against Banerjee, alleging repeated incidents of verbal misconduct inside the Lok Sabha.
“I seek your permission to lodge a formal complaint against Lok Sabha Member of AITC Kalyan Banerjee, who has repeatedly verbally abused me inside the Lok Sabha,” she wrote.
The Barasat MP further stated that the alleged behaviour reflected a broader issue of misogyny directed at women parliamentarians.
“This misogyny has been against many women members and needs to be punished,” she added.
Resignation Sparks Political Attention
The allegations come shortly after Dastidar resigned from her position as chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, along with several other organisational responsibilities. In her resignation letter, she cited “deep mental conflict and long reflection” as reasons behind her decision.
Despite stepping down from party posts, she clarified that she would continue serving as a Member of Parliament and remain associated with the party as an ordinary worker.
Her resignation has attracted significant political attention, especially after she publicly raised concerns about the party’s internal functioning and disciplinary culture.
Allegations of ‘Indecent Behaviour’
Without directly naming Banerjee in her resignation letter, Dastidar had earlier referred to the “indecent behaviour” of a fellow party MP towards a woman parliamentarian.
“It is not worth staying in a position where the indecent behaviour of another uneducated and rude party MP on a woman MP cannot be stopped,” she wrote.
She also expressed disappointment over what she described as a lack of support and intervention from the senior leadership of the party.
Concerns Over Corruption Within TMC
In a recent interview, Dastidar also spoke openly about corruption allegations affecting the Trinamool Congress at the grassroots level.
“Corruption is a very pertinent issue. The harsh ground reality is that elected representatives at local levels have been involved in extortion and illegal activities,” she said.
At the same time, she defended many grassroots workers, saying several party members continued to work honestly despite controversies surrounding local leadership.
Political Fallout Under Watch
The latest developments have sparked fresh debate within West Bengal’s political landscape, with opposition parties and political observers closely monitoring the situation inside the ruling Trinamool Congress.
So far, neither Kalyan Banerjee nor the TMC leadership has issued a detailed response to the allegations made by Dastidar.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time for the party as it prepares for upcoming electoral challenges and faces increasing scrutiny over internal disputes and governance issues.
