TMC leader requests bank to freeze accounts amid leadership crisis

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Aroop Biswas has called for an immediate freeze on transactions from the party's bank accounts, citing a leadership crisis triggered by a large-scale rebellion within the organisation. In a letter to the bank, Biswas highlighted the emergence of rival factions claiming to be the legitimate representatives and office-bearers of the party, creating uncertainty over who is authorised to manage the All India Trinamool Congress's (AITC) financial assets.

Biswas, who served as the party's treasurer, expressed concerns about the ongoing dispute regarding authority and control over the party's affairs. He warned that the situation posed a risk of unauthorised access to party funds by individuals whose authority is under challenge. To prevent such misuse, he requested the bank to maintain the status quo and refrain from allowing any debit transactions or changes to operational mandates until the dispute is resolved or directives are issued by a competent authority.

The leader also raised alarms about signed cheques issued during his tenure as treasurer, which were often retained at the party office for urgent financial needs. Biswas stated that these cheques could now be vulnerable to misuse amid the leadership crisis. He expressed "strong and bona fide apprehension" that the cheques might be encashed without proper authorisation, potentially exposing the party and himself to legal and financial liabilities.

Biswas urged the bank to take urgent precautionary measures to safeguard the organisation's funds and prevent any unauthorised transactions. His appeal comes as the TMC grapples with its first major rebellion since its formation in 1998. The revolt saw 20 out of 28 Lok Sabha MPs and 58 out of 60 MLAs openly opposing the current leadership and forming a separate faction.

In a significant politics development, the rebel Lok Sabha MPs announced their decision to merge with the National Citizens Party of India and expressed their intent to align with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This marks the first major split in the party's history.