Amid the Trinamool Congress’ internal tussle over its ‘old’ and ‘new’ guard, party supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that TMC does not believe in bidding farewell to anyone turning 60-years-old.
Banerjee made this comment citing her two former Chief Secretaries — Hari Krishna Dwivedi and Alapan Bandyopadhyay — who are now her advisor. Both of them were present at the program that the TMC supremo was addressing.
Experts have said that this seemingly normal comment is rather significant amid the ongoing old and new guard conflict.
TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday had clarified his stand saying that he will do any work given to him as he is a loyal soldier.
Speaking at an event in his constituency, he said, “I have said that age is a factor. Yes, I have said it. I stayed on the road for two months during the Nabajowar programme. I am in my 30s. Will I be able to do that in my 70s?”
With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at hand, the old and new guard conflict has become a new talking point for the political circle.
The war of words — which has been on between the seniors and juniors of the party — seems to be triggered by TMC state president Subrata Bakshi’s comment on Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
“If in this election, Abhishek Banerjee fights, I am confident that he will not go back from his fight,” Bakshi had said.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendhu Adhikari termed this old and new guard conflict to be totally staged, saying that he does not believe in the issue at all.
Among other senior leaders who statements created a stir was Sudip Banerjee, who said “If Mamata Banerjee does not stay, then Bengal will be treated like the third child of a goat (a Bengali proverb that translates to losing importance).”
The old vs young factionalism seems to focus on the age limit up to which one should be a part of politics.
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