Transactions in Three Trinamool Congress Bank Accounts Suspended
Collected Photo
An internal conflict within India’s Trinamool Congress has escalated to the party’s financial core, with police ordering the suspension of transactions in three of its bank accounts over allegations of possible irregular fund collection.
The move came after a complaint filed by a legislator from South 24 Parganas, who urged authorities to prevent any potential tampering with evidence while an investigation is underway. Police sources said the action was taken to ensure that financial records remain intact during scrutiny.
The controversy reportedly began days earlier when former minister Aroop Biswas wrote to the concerned bank authorities, identifying himself as the party’s treasurer. In his letter, he expressed concern over what he described as a serious uncertainty in the party’s leadership and control structure, warning that unauthorized individuals could gain access to party funds. He requested that the accounts remain frozen until the internal dispute is resolved.
However, the Trinamool Congress leadership later clarified that following an organizational reshuffle on June 5, Aroop Biswas was no longer serving as treasurer, and that the responsibility had been assigned to former MP Subhasish Chakraborty. Supporters of Aroop Biswas argue that the change was not formally communicated to the bank, meaning his name still appears in official records.
The dispute took a new turn after a faction aligned with Ritabrata Banerjee filed a complaint with the Bidhannagar Cyber Police Station, calling for an investigation into the source of the funds held in the party accounts. They alleged that portions of the money may have questionable origins and demanded a full-scale probe.
Following the complaint, police instructed banks to suspend transactions in the affected accounts, according to sources.
The accounts in question reportedly hold between ₹67.5 billion and ₹67.6 billion. Party financial disclosures submitted to the Election Commission also reference deposits and cash holdings worth several hundred crore rupees. The massive fund pool has intensified the internal rift within the party.
Rebel factions claim that multiple legislators may approach law enforcement with similar allegations, insisting that the source, usage, and control of party funds must be investigated transparently. Meanwhile, sections of the Trinamool Congress argue that the controversy is being politically amplified.
Ritabrata Banerjee reiterated that the origin of the party’s funds should be thoroughly examined, stating that both the source and utilization of the money must be scrutinized.
Senior political analyst Amitabha Bhattacharya said the dispute over the treasurer’s post and the party’s financial control signals a deeper struggle for internal power. He added that the issue goes beyond money and reflects a broader contest over organizational authority and influence.
