NEW DELHI: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was heckled with chants of “Chor Chor” and “Jai Shri Ram” at Kolkata airport on Tuesday amid the escalating political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress.As Banerjee stopped to speak with reporters after exiting the airport, he confronted the protesters and hit back at the BJP. The TMC leader alleged that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was the real thief and went on to accuse Adhikari’s father of the same.The confrontation comes as the Trinamool Congress faces what could become the biggest internal crisis in its 28-year history.Weeks after a bruising defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, the party is now grappling with a major rebellion that threatens its influence in the state and could potentially strengthen the BJP-led NDA’s position in Parliament.The TMC is reportedly witnessing a second wave of defections, with at least 20 MPs said to have submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing support for the NDA. If the claims are accurate, the rebel faction would comfortably cross the two-thirds threshold required to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.Addressing a press conference earlier, Banerjee dismissed the dissidents as “traitors” and challenged them to resign from the party and seek a fresh mandate from voters. He claimed the rebels had exposed themselves by meeting senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav and accused them of abandoning party workers while continuing to enjoy the benefits of office.Banerjee also argued that the rebel camp does not yet have the numbers required to safely navigate the anti-defection law. Calling them “gaddars”, he accused the dissidents of being driven by a hunger for power.In a sharp attack on the BJP, Banerjee said, “You have the CM, ED, CBI and other powers, but I have ‘Maa, Maati, Maanush’, my party, my party workers, and the people of West Bengal.”Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPoK Unrest Deepens: Protesters Allege Crackdown, Casualties And BlackoutTMC Crisis Deepens As CID Probes Alleged Fake Signatures In LoP Selection Case | WatchIndia Accuses Pak Of Spreading Disinformation To Cover Up Human Rights Abuses In POKUS Court Strikes Down Trump-Era $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee | Temporary Relief To Indians?SIPRI 2026: India Overtakes Pak In Nuclear Warheads, Emerges As World’s 5th Largest Military SpenderGovt Clears 250 MW Solar Power Project With BESS On Defence Land In Uttar PradeshDelhi LG Proposes Recruitment of Former Agniveers to Address Fire Department VacanciesWayanad Health Alert: 25 Students Admitted With Suspected Shigella InfectionZojila Tunnel Breakthrough: Major Milestone In India’s Most Challenging Himalayan Infra ProjectCongress Loses Last Rajya Sabha Presence In Gujarat As BJP Sweeps Seats;MP Contest Turns High-Stakes123PhotostoriesIndian history and mythology to native language: 6 meaningful ways to connect children with indian heritage5 countries where tipping is considered rudeFrom ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Dear Zindagi’ to Yale University: Shah Rukh Khan’s most inspiring quotes that will change your outlook on lifeThe best places to retire in India: Affordable, peaceful, and senior-friendly9 mangoes that are not grown in India and what makes them uniqueSuccess quote of the day by Steve Jobs: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is…”Canterbury Bells to Foxgloves in June: 6 low-maintenance plants that can help fill garden gapsFrom saving to spending: 5 essential money lessons every child should learnSolar storms and human health: Should we really be worried?Inside star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s ₹1,000+ crore real estate empire: Mansions, penthouses, and luxury villas across the globe123Hot PicksCUET UG 2026 Answer KeyNFL Trade RumorsMamata BanerjeeMathew BarzalSwapnil SrivastavDana WhiteBrock LesnarTom Brady and Gisele Bündchen DivorceITR filing FY 2025-26Top TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Driving Licence ValidityChennai TNSTC BusGautam PatelDU Professor Murder CaseVisakhapatnam Steel Plant AccidentCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation
NEW DELHI: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was heckled with chants of “Chor Chor” and “Jai Shri Ram” at Kolkata airport on Tuesday amid the escalating political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress.As Banerjee stopped to speak with reporters after exiting the airport, he confronted the protesters and hit back at the BJP. The TMC leader alleged that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was the real thief and went on to accuse Adhikari’s father of the same.The confrontation comes as the Trinamool Congress faces what could become the biggest internal crisis in its 28-year history.Weeks after a bruising defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, the party is now grappling with a major rebellion that threatens its influence in the state and could potentially strengthen the BJP-led NDA’s position in Parliament.The TMC is reportedly witnessing a second wave of defections, with at least 20 MPs said to have submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing support for the NDA. If the claims are accurate, the rebel faction would comfortably cross the two-thirds threshold required to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.Addressing a press conference earlier, Banerjee dismissed the dissidents as “traitors” and challenged them to resign from the party and seek a fresh mandate from voters. He claimed the rebels had exposed themselves by meeting senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav and accused them of abandoning party workers while continuing to enjoy the benefits of office.Banerjee also argued that the rebel camp does not yet have the numbers required to safely navigate the anti-defection law. Calling them “gaddars”, he accused the dissidents of being driven by a hunger for power.In a sharp attack on the BJP, Banerjee said, “You have the CM, ED, CBI and other powers, but I have ‘Maa, Maati, Maanush’, my party, my party workers, and the people of West Bengal.”
