Mahua Moitra says Abhishek Banerjee may have received his first political opportunity through family ties
June 11, 2026: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has defended party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee against allegations of nepotism, stating that while he initially benefited from being Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, he has since established himself through years of political and organizational work. In an interview, Moitra acknowledged that Abhishek received his first Lok Sabha ticket in 2014 because of his family connection, but said he has justified his role through three electoral victories and sustained work for the party over the last 12 years.
Moitra stressed that Abhishek has earned his place within the TMC by building the organization across West Bengal and contributing significantly to the party’s growth. She added that despite being younger than many senior leaders, he has been accepted as the party’s national general secretary because of his efforts and commitment. Her remarks come at a time when the TMC is facing internal turmoil, with several leaders and legislators questioning Abhishek’s growing influence within the organization.
Drawing a comparison with former TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari, Moitra said Adhikari openly disagreed with Abhishek’s rise and chose to leave the party for the BJP, which she described as a transparent political decision. She questioned why current dissidents remained in the party despite their objections and argued that if they truly opposed Abhishek’s leadership, they could have contested elections under a different banner. Her comments come amid a series of resignations and defections that have intensified the political crisis within the Trinamool Congress.