Kolkata, 11 June (H.S.): In a dramatic development that has exposed growing fissures within the Trinamool Congress, senior party MP and advocate Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday announced that he would no longer represent the party’s National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee in any legal matter, accusing him of displaying an “unbearable” level of arrogance.

The controversy is linked to the legislators’ signature mismatch case, in which Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Calcutta High Court challenging a summons issued by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police. He has also sought interim protection from coercive action, including arrest.

The matter came up for hearing before the vacation bench of Justice Kaushik Chanda on Thursday. While advocate Ayan Bhattacharya appeared on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee, who had previously handled several of his legal matters, was notably absent from the proceedings.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Kalyan Banerjee said he had decided not only to stay away from the present case but also from all future legal matters involving Abhishek Banerjee. He alleged that the Trinamool leader had continued to display an arrogant attitude despite the party’s crushing defeat in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.

“On Wednesday, I mentioned the matter before Justice Kaushik Chanda and requested an urgent hearing, following which Thursday was fixed for the case. However, on Wednesday night, Abhishek Banerjee called my son and informed him that another advocate, much junior to me in the profession, would represent him in court. After that, I decided that I would have no further association with any of his legal matters,” Kalyan Banerjee said.

He further stated that his son, Shirshanya Banerjee, who is also a practising advocate, as well as other junior lawyers associated with him, would also refrain from appearing in any matter concerning Abhishek Banerjee.

Escalating his criticism, Kalyan Banerjee said he would ask former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to choose between Abhishek Banerjee and those leaders who, according to him, remain loyal to her.

“I have been practising law for 45 years. I cannot tolerate Abhishek Banerjee’s arrogance anymore. I will ask Mamata Banerjee to decide whether she wants Abhishek or those of us who continue to stand by her. He is solely responsible for the present condition of the Trinamool Congress, yet there has been no change in his attitude,” he said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh