Senior Trinamul Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday emphasised that the party was united under the leadership of supremo Mamata Banerjee and asserted there was no difference between the old guard and the new generation, amid reports of an internal feud within the party.
The TMC national general secretary, who is also Mamata Banerjee's nephew, dismissed allegations that he intended to become inactive within the party, labelling such reports as "wrong and baseless".
"In the last few days, there have been reports of differences between the old and new members of the party. However, I want to emphasise that the party remains united under the leadership of our supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," he said during a programme in Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district.
The Diamond Harbour MP clarified there were "no differences between the old guard and the new generation in the TMC", asserting the party's collective commitment towards working cohesively for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Dismissing claims that he was planning to step back from party activities, Abhishek Banerjee affirmed, "Media reports suggesting that I have decided to become inactive in the party are baseless. Yes, with the Lok Sabha elections approaching, I have responsibilities to campaign in my constituency, but that doesn't mean I won't contribute to the party if assigned any task.
"If my party supremo Mamata Banerjee gives me a responsibility, I will work towards it," he added.
His remarks come amidst veteran and youth leaders exchanging swipes over the future leadership of the party.
The recent controversy emerged after the CM advocated giving due respect to senior members and refuted assertions that old leaders should retire from active politics.
Abhishek Banerjee, who advocates for a retirement age in politics, further stated, "It is quite natural for a person to lose work efficiency with advancing age." Underlining the party's unity under the party supremo's leadership, Banerjee affirmed, "Under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, all the senior and junior leaders are standing firm. If I am given any role, I will take it." His remark of taking up any assignment given by the party comes days after TMC state president Subrata Bakshi expressed hope that Abhishek Banerjee would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election with Mamata Banerjee’s blessings and not shy away from the field.
Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, considered close to Abhishek Banerjee, had last month stated that there was no conflict between the veterans and the Young Turks, but also asserted that the old guards need to know where to "draw the line and step aside for the next generation of leaders to take over".
The party appeared to be divided on the issue, with senior leaders not willing to read much into the maximum age limit theory proposed by Abhishek Banerjee, while the youth brigade yearning for more space in the party.
The ongoing controversy is reminiscent of an internal struggle within the TMC two years ago.
Amidst rumours of an alleged power struggle in January 2022, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had dissolved all national office-bearer committees, including the post of national general secretary held by her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.
Subsequently, a new committee was formed, and Abhishek Banerjee was reinstated as the party's national general secretary.
Since then, Abhishek Banerjee has not only gained prominence within the party but is also considered the de facto number two in the state's ruling dispensation.