New Delhi: In an apparent effort to counter the BJP's accusation of promoting "dynasty politics" within her party, Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday “disowned” her younger brother, Babun Banerjee, after he expressed discontent over the re-nomination of Prasun Banerjee from the Howrah Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal.
Banerjee's move was perceived as a signal that she was prepared to address dissent within her party ahead of the elections, even if it meant starting with her own family, reported news agency PTI.
Mamata's expression of displeasure against her brother stemmed from his intentions to contest as an independent candidate from the seat and challenge the TMC nominee.
Addressing reporters in Jalpaiguri, Bengal CM expressed frustration over her brother's actions, stating that she and her family were severing all ties with him, as per PTI.
“I will say this directly, some people get exceptionally greedy as they grow up. They must play their games keeping the family aside. I don’t consider him to be a member of my family. From today, my immediate family, my extended family of people and I are snapping all relationships with him,” Banerjee said.
“No one should call him my brother. You can consider him an independent individual. But please do not associate my name with him anymore. I announce that my family and I are dissociating ourselves from him once and for all,” she added, the PTI report added.
Babun, who heads the TMC sports cell and holds administrative positions in various sports bodies and clubs in the state, opposed the candidature of former footballer Prasun Banerjee, citing insults hurled at him during a Mohun Bagan club meeting.
"I can’t forget the insults he hurled at me during a general body meeting of the Mohun Bagan club," he said.
Mamata Banerjee dismissed allegations of promoting dynasty politics, asserting that she does not endorse such practices and discourages family members from seeking tickets.
“There are people who always aspire for tickets whenever an election comes, be they for MP or MLA down to the councillors. If I were to agree to the demands of my family members, I would be promoting dynasty politics. I don’t promote such politics. They have the freedom to fight elections on their own. I dislike such greedy people,” the TMC chief retorted, reported PTI.
She accused the BJP of orchestrating the situation, citing their history of attempting to divide families during elections.
Responding to whether she thought the BJP had a role in this, Banerjee said, “Of course, the BJP is behind this. They have always played the game of breaking families during elections by offering crores of rupees. I have seen this on multiple occasions before.” “They are the ones alleging dynasty politics. But here I am, setting an example of how I don’t promote family politics. I promote the politics of people,” Banerjee added.
The BJP has frequently criticized Mamata Banerjee for allegedly perpetuating dynasty politics, particularly regarding the rise of the party position of nephew, Abhishek Banerjee and current national general secretary.
Among the BJP's staunchest critics of the Banerjee family is Suvendu Adhikari, Bengal's Leader of Opposition, who refers to the TMC as "Pishi-Bhaipo private limited company."
Abhishek is widely considered as the current number two in TMC and Banerjee’s heir apparent, reported PTI.