New Delhi: Has the “fake signature” controversy gained momentum? Mamata Banerjee‘S TMC On the verge of internal crisis? The complaint lodged with the Assembly Secretariat by two TMC MLAs, Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee, has not only embarrassed the party leadership but also put it in a difficult position.State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has summoned Abhishek BanerjeeMamata’s nephew and the party’s number 2 leader, for questioning. She has already recorded statements of several MLAs as part of the investigation into allegations of fraud.The controversy, which started over signatures, has now exposed deep divisions within the party at a time when it is still reeling from its worst electoral setback in more than a decade.
How signature line came forward
The signature controversy has come out into the open after Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari claimed during a press conference that two TMC MLAs had filed complaints regarding their “fake” signatures on a party resolution tabled in the state assembly supporting Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as leader of the opposition.On May 9, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote to the Assembly Speaker proposing the name of senior party leader Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the opposition.
How did the case of ‘fake signature’ come to light?
According to the official, the Principal Secretary of the Assembly, acting on the Speaker’s instructions, wrote a letter to Abhishek on May 18 seeking details of the proposal through which Chattopadhyay was selected.On May 20, Abhishek handed over a copy of the resolution bearing the signatures of 70 TMC MLAs. The officer alleged that more than 10 names were written in capital letters on the document and added that the signatures “cannot be in capital letters”.Following this, TMC MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha complained to the Speaker and alleged that “no resolution was adopted regarding the selection of the leader of the opposition on May 6.”According to the official, the complaint further alleged that the May 6 resolution was “manufactured and fabricated” and pointed to 14 signatures written in capital letters.“On the instructions of the Speaker, the Principal Secretary lodged an FIR at the Hare Street Police Station and on the instructions of the Home Secretary, with my approval as the State Home Minister, the investigation was handed over to the CID,” the officer said.As part of the investigation, the CID interrogated 13 TMC MLAs in the presence of handwriting experts and conducted signature verification through videography and photography.The officer said that of the three MLAs questioned, Arup Roy, Baharul Islam and Subhashish Das told the investigators that the signatures produced by them were not theirs.
‘Signgate’ puts Trinamool in confusion
Minutes after Adhikari’s press conference, TMC expelled Uluberia Purba MLA Ritabrata Banerjee and Entally MLA Sandipan Saha for alleged anti-party activities.A letter issued to the two MLAs said, “It has been brought to the notice of the All India Trinamool Congress through the competent authority that despite being selected as a nominated candidate by the AITC, you have repeatedly failed to attend the meetings called by the authorized leadership of the party and have involved yourself in anti-party activities.”“It is also observed that you have been involved in such activities and have made statements which are detrimental to the interests of AITC,” the communication signed by party vice-president Chandrima Bhattacharya said.Trinamool defended its action. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that by bypassing the party leadership and directly contacting the Assembly Speaker, the two MLAs have “betrayed” the mandate received in the name of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee.Interestingly, Ghosh also “thanked” Adhikari for publicly naming the MLAs who complained to the Speaker, saying it vindicated the party’s decision.“The workers will decide. The leadership will rebuild the party. Couldn’t we wait a little?” he asked.Ghosh said MLAs who have complaints over the alleged “fake signatures” controversy should have first raised the matter within the party instead of writing directly to the Speaker.
Will TMC break?
The signature controversy has exposed deep differences within the Trinamool Congress. Already, there are examples of Trinamool following the path of Shiv Sena, which split when a majority of Sena MLAs rebelled against its leader Uddhav Thackeray.The allegations that have created a storm within the TMC have not been raised by its rivals. The two sitting MLAs of the party, raising questions over the level of discontent within sections of the organisation, decided to bypass the party leadership and directly approach the Assembly Speaker.
According to the official, the complaint alleged that the May 6 proposal was “fabricated and fabricated”.
Both the expelled MLAs have not expressed any regret for their actions. Saha said he had acted against an illegal act within the party, while Ritabrata said, “Somebody had to do it”. He also claimed that TMC MLAs were pressured to publicly support Abhishek Banerjee’s handling of the election campaign, adding that the move had created uneasiness among many MLAs.It is clear that there is resentment against the leadership, especially Abhishek Banerjee, who wields considerable influence in the party. TMC alleges that the rebels are being used to break the MLAs and weaken the party.TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh claimed that Ritabrata Banerjee had met more than 20 TMC MLAs at a hotel in New Town, but the expelled MLA has denied the allegation.Senior TMC leader Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay alleged that efforts were being made by the ruling government to foment defections and destabilize the opposition party, while insisting that the Trinamool Congress would remain united.
Mamata’s next big challenge: keeping the herd united
The controversy comes at a time when Mamata Banerjee is battling TMC’s worst electoral setback since coming to power in 2011. She has lost her government, and is now working hard to ensure that she does not lose her relevance. After the defeat in the assembly elections, internal strife within TMC has come to the fore. The “fake signature” controversy has added to her challenges as she attempts to regroup her party in the opposition.In her first reaction to the fake signature controversy, Mamata accused the BJP of playing a “dirty game” and said signatures of TMC MLAs should be forensically examined if the Assembly Speaker is not convinced about their authenticity.
How did Mamata Banerjee react amid the turmoil?
Mamata’s immediate challenge is to keep her flock together amid large-scale arrests of TMC leaders on charges of corruption, intimidation and extortion and alleged torture of party workers. Addressing TMC supporters at a day-long dharna in central Kolkata to protest against alleged post-poll attacks on party workers and leaders, Banerjee asserted that she will not abandon TMC workers in this difficult time.“But the crisis is the opposite. The Trinamool chief needs to ensure that party workers and leaders do not abandon him. Reports suggest that at least three elected MLAs openly opposed the leadership in the post-poll review meeting and blamed the “brutal imposition” of Abhishek Banerjee’s choice for the election defeat. The critics reportedly included two expelled MLAs.The election defeat was followed by a series of resignations and exits fueled by resentment against the so-called “aunt-nephew monopoly”. Over 100 TMC councilors resigned in several municipal bodies, while several leaders publicly expressed their grievances with the organisation. High-profile exits included Assam TMC chief Abhijit Majumdar and MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who resigned from party posts citing various concerns. There is speculation of more resignations. Apart from this, there is also speculation that 50 MLAs are allegedly preparing to submit signatures against party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to the Assembly Speaker. There are many reasons for Mamata to be worried about internal unity within the party. If this indeed happens, we could see Maharashtra again, where both Shiv Sena and NCP were divided down the middle after most of the MLAs rebelled against the leadership. Last week, Mamata had to cancel a meeting with her MLAs after only 20 of the party’s 80 MLAs reportedly turned up.Mamata Banerjee, who has been working feverishly to revive the India Bloc since its defeat in Bengal, realizes that the internal turmoil in her party could undermine her credibility in the opposition alliance. Also, when his own organization is facing internal strife, his call for opposition unity may appear less persuasive.The challenge for Mamata Banerjee now goes beyond dealing with the fallout of the signature controversy. As TMC gets ready to be in the opposition after 15 years in power, Mamata and Abhishek will soon have to find a way out of this crisis.
