Tramontana Coalition's Internal Struggle: Detailed Account of Kalyan Banerjee's Resignation Following Mahua Moitra Controversy
In early August 2025, a public feud between Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra reached new heights, culminating in Banerjee's resignation as the TMC Lok Sabha chief whip.
The tension began to escalate on August 4, when Banerjee stepped down from his role amidst disagreements over poor coordination among party MPs and internal blame dynamics. Around the same time, Moitra made derogatory comments about Banerjee during a podcast, referring to him as a "pig." Banerjee condemned Moitra's choice of words, stating they were unfortunate and reflected a lack of respect for civilized debate.
In response, Banerjee accused Moitra of ingratitude, posting an old video on social media where he defended her during an Ethics Committee case in 2023. He expressed regret for his previous support, given her current hostility. Despite initial speculation of possible reconciliation involving a proposed meeting with TMC parliamentary party leader Abhishek Banerjee on August 7, the feud deepened when Banerjee doubled down on his remarks.
Mamata Banerjee, the TMC party chief, reportedly intervened but no resolution was reached as of early August. Moitra signaled her stance by congratulating the newly appointed chief whip, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a move interpreted as a snub to Banerjee.
The feud between Banerjee and Moitra has been personal and political, involving sharp exchanges on social media and public forums. It serves as an example of internal strife within TMC's parliamentary wing in 2025. The resignation of Banerjee as Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha is a pointer to the extent of the gulf between the two leaders.
As a four-time MP and seasoned leader with key party posts, Banerjee stands on one side of the internal battle. On the other side, Moitra, a two-time MP and incendiary leader recognized by her acerbic diatribes against political rivals in Parliament, stands firm.
The internal battle between Banerjee and Moitra poses a significant challenge for the TMC leadership. In response, Mamata Banerjee called a virtual meeting of the party's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs to address party factionalism and the absence of coordination within the party. She expressed strong discontent over the situation, though she did not mention anyone by name.
The feud between Banerjee and Moitra escalated in June 2025 over their conflicting positions on the Kolkata Law College rape case. An earlier incident in the feud involved alleged objectionable comments made by Banerjee against Moitra at a TMC function in Delhi.
This ongoing feud is just one of the challenges facing the TMC as they navigate the political landscape in 2025. The party's leadership will need to address these internal conflicts and focus on uniting as one against the central government, as Mamata Banerjee has tasked her MPs with doing.
Amidst this internal strife within the TMC's parliamentary wing in 2025, the ongoing feud between Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra can be considered a point of interest in general news, politics, and crime-and-justice discussions, as well as policy-and-legislation debates related to war-and-conflicts, particularly in the context of the need for unity against the central government. The feud, marked by personal and political disagreements, may have consequences for the party's coordination and effectiveness in the realm of policy-making, which in turn could impact the nation's overall wellbeing and stability.
