Kolkata, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh’s appearance at an Independence Day programme organised by a rebel faction of the party in Kolkata on Saturday triggered fresh speculation over the political equations within the crisis-hit TMC.
The event was hosted by the faction led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. Ghosh, however, dismissed suggestions that his visit carried any political message, describing his presence at the programme as incidental.
Ghosh, who belongs to the faction led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had first hoisted the national flag at the TMC headquarters in Topsia in accordance with instructions from the party leadership.
He later reached the office of the faction led by Banerjee along the Metropolitan Bypass. The journalist-turned-politician saluted the Tricolour that had already been hoisted there and paid floral tributes to freedom fighters.
His unannounced arrival reportedly surprised members of the faction attending the Independence Day programme.
Explaining his presence, Ghosh said he was travelling along the road near the Metropolitan Building when he noticed the flag-hoisting ceremony.
“I saw flags being hoisted in the name of my party, and many known people were present. I got out of the car and joined the event. It is a Trinamool Congress office within my Beleghata assembly constituency, so there is nothing to speculate about,” he said.
Chandrima Bhattacharya, a former West Bengal Minister of State for Finance (independent charge) and now a prominent figure in the rebel faction, welcomed Ghosh’s participation.
“We believe in democracy. Even if a passerby came and wanted to join us, we would have welcomed him or her. Kunal was passing by. He came and paid floral tributes. This is nothing unusual,” Bhattacharya said.
Despite Ghosh’s explanation, his appearance at programmes organised by both sides has fuelled speculation about the internal equations within the Trinamool Congress.
The developments come amid continuing tensions within the party following its setback in the April-May Assembly elections this year, with rival factions continuing to stake competing claims over the TMC organisation.
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