Kolkata, 11 June (H.S.) : Differences between two senior Trinamool Congress leaders came into the open on Thursday in connection with the high-profile signature forgery case, as senior advocate and party MP Kalyan Banerjee withdrew from representing Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee before the Calcutta High Court.

The development came as the High Court directed Abhishek Banerjee to cooperate with the ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police and appear before the agency for questioning. At the same time, the court granted him interim protection from any coercive action for the next two weeks.

Hearing the matter, Justice Kaushik Chanda instructed Abhishek Banerjee to comply with the CID summons and assist the investigation. The court observed that while the probe must continue, no harsh action, including arrest, should be taken against him until the next hearing. However, the CID has been allowed to proceed with the investigation in accordance with law.

According to sources, Abhishek Banerjee was scheduled to return to Kolkata from New Delhi on Thursday evening and was asked to appear before the CID headquarters at Bhawani Bhavan by 6 p.m.

Abhishek Banerjee had approached the High Court seeking legal protection against the CID's action in the alleged signature forgery case. Initially, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee was expected to represent him before the court. However, shortly before the hearing, Kalyan Banerjee withdrew from the case. Advocate Ayan Bhattacharya subsequently appeared on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee.

Not only Kalyan Banerjee, but also his son Shirshanya Banerjee and other junior members of his legal team reportedly distanced themselves from the matter.

Speaking to the media after stepping away from the case, Kalyan Banerjee launched a sharp attack on Abhishek Banerjee. He said that a day earlier he had mentioned the matter before the court and had also raised concerns regarding the CID's visit to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence. According to him, when the matter was not immediately taken up, he personally sought an urgent listing of the case.

Kalyan Banerjee alleged that late on Wednesday night, his son received a phone call informing him that advocate Ayan Bhattacharya would argue the matter instead. Expressing his displeasure, he said that after 45 years in the legal profession, he could not accept such treatment.

In a remark that underscored the deepening rift within the party, Kalyan Banerjee said he would ask Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to make a choice between Abhishek Banerjee and leaders like him.

“I will not remain with Abhishek Banerjee. I will tell Mamata Banerjee either to keep Abhishek and let us go, or keep us and remove Abhishek,” he said.

The veteran MP also blamed Abhishek Banerjee for causing damage to the party, claiming that despite the setbacks suffered by the Trinamool Congress, there had been no change in his attitude.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh