Abhishek seems clear that the Trinamool Congress government must ‘break the shackles of the laggard system’ that is not helping the cause at a time when both the party and the state government are facing the heat, sources close to the TMC leader told News18. (File photo/PTI)
Trinamool Congress knows it will face certain anti-incumbency in 2026 and has to be prepared to counter it. Party insiders close to Abhishek say that he has also asked the West Bengal government to ensure the safety and security of doctors. Some say Abhishek’s silence is also to put pressure on the system to get better
Abandon the “laggard system”, protect the doctors, and make administration efficient to arrest any anti-incumbency before the 2026 assembly elections — this seems to be the stand of Abhishek Banerjee who has been conspicuous by his absence lately from the side of his aunt and West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee.
Sources close to the Diamond Harbour MP say it is apparent that Abhishek is not happy with the way the administration has handled the RG Kar Hospital situation after the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor. Abhishek seems clear that the Trinamool Congress government must “break the shackles of the laggard system” that is not helping the cause at a time when both the party and the state government are facing the heat, sources close to the TMC leader told News18.
Abhishek broke his silence on Thursday with a post on social media where he spoke of the larger issue of crimes against women in the country, citing figures of 900 rapes in the last 10 days while the RG Kar Hospital protest has been on, and asked the Centre for a comprehensive anti-rape law. He had earlier been critical of the vandalism carried out at the hospital on August 15 and asked for action.
Over the past 10 days, while the nation has been protesting against the #RGKarMedicalcollege incident and demanding justice, 900 RAPES have occurred across different parts of India – DURING THE VERY TIME WHEN PEOPLE WERE ON THE STREETS PROTESTING AGAINST THIS HORRIBLE CRIME.…— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) August 22, 2024
What Abhishek wants
Sources close to Abhishek told News18 that there needs to be accountability in the system, and the state administration needs to be swift and responsive. Trinamool knows it will face certain anti-incumbency in 2026 and has to be prepared to counter it. Party insiders close to Abhishek say that he has also asked the state government to ensure the safety and security of doctors. Some say Abhishek’s silence is also to put pressure on the system to get better.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh had earlier asked for Abhishek to be active in the day-to-day affairs of the party. Trinamool’s modest performance in the urban areas in the April-June Lok Sabha elections is also a cause for worry, especially after the Kolkata rape-murder case.
Strife increasing, or signs of reconciliation?
Small but stark changes are also showing the signs of strife. For example, the media coordination in TMC was done by Abhishek’s team so far but since the day after the vandalism at the hospital took place, that has changed. TMC has a new coordination team now and has also started a new WhatsApp group for the media.
However, the events of Thursday offered signs of some reconciliation too. After Abhishek’s social media post asking for a new anti-rape law, chief minister Mamata Banerjee also put out a letter she sent to Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee demanding similar legislation with exemplary punishment.
Does this show the CM and Abhishek, after being distant, are now joining forces to pressurise the Centre on the issue of laws for women’s safety? The RG Kar Hospital incident seems to have changed many equations inside the TMC.
