Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Monalisa Banerjee, representing Ward No. 49 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), has been on a hunger strike for six days, alleging that another faction within the party has obstructed her work by opening a new party election office in her area without her knowledge. Monalisa Banerjee, who switched from the Congress to the TMC in 2020, expressed her grievances stating, "I have been facing a lot of problems from Day 1 after assuming the chair of the councillor. Debasish Banerjee has been after me."
"Now, he has opened an election office here in my ward without informing me. And I believe there is support from someone who is trying to sabotage the party during this crucial Lok Sabha election," she told PTI.
The disputed Ward No. 49 falls under the Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha constituency, where TMC has fielded senior party leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay as the sitting MP. Monalisa had previously staged a demonstration in front of Bandyopadhay's office last week, raising concerns about the installation of a CCTV camera near her ward office.
According to Monalisa, Sudip Bandyopadhyay had assured her that no new election office would be opened and that the existing one would be utilised without disturbance. However, she alleges that despite these assurances, a new election office was inaugurated, and individuals associated with the party MP were present at the event, according to PTI.
"Sudip da came to where I put up a demonstration last week and promised me that no such election office will be opened and the old one will be used. He also assured me that there will be no disturbance from anyone and I will be able to work...." she said.
When asked about the duration of her hunger strike, Monalisa stated, "Until the problem is solved. I will continue till the matter is resolved. Nobody from the party's top leadership has contacted me till today. I would seek the attention of the party's senior leaders."
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Debasish Banerjee Says TMC Councillor's Allegations 'Baseless'
In response to Monalisa's allegations, Debasish Banerjee denied any knowledge of the hunger strike and refrained from commenting further. "I do not know that someone is holding a hunger strike. I have heard her allegations, but all are baseless and absolute lies. I will not react to this matter and will seek the party's leadership to intervene," he stated, as quoted by PTI.
Sudip Bandyopadhyay has yet to comment on the allegation.