Rebel TMC MP’s Son Sends Legal Notice to Mamata Banerjee, Party Leaders Over Defamation Claims

Kolkata, June 2026 : The political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) deepened on Saturday after Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, son of rebel TMC MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, issued legal notices to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several senior party leaders over what he described as “false, defamatory and unwarranted” allegations against him.

According to a statement released by Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, legal notices have been prepared and signed through his advocate, Pooja Shukla, and are expected to be formally served on Monday. The notices have been addressed to Mamata Banerjee, TMC MPs Sougata Roy, Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, as well as former party leader Sonali Guha.

Baidyanath categorically denied allegations that he had sought a Trinamool Congress ticket to contest the recently concluded Assembly elections from the Barasat constituency. He asserted that claims linking his mother’s political stand to his alleged electoral ambitions were entirely baseless and defamatory.

The controversy gained momentum after several TMC leaders, including Sonali Guha, reportedly claimed that Kakali Ghosh Dastidar’s rebellion against the party stemmed from the denial of an Assembly ticket to her son. Baidyanath rejected these assertions, maintaining that he never sought candidature from Barasat.

He also strongly objected to remarks allegedly made by Sonali Guha suggesting that he, his brother and his mother regularly consumed alcohol. Calling the accusations “completely false and malicious,” he said such statements had caused reputational damage to his family.

In his statement, Baidyanath said he has demanded a public apology and an immediate withdrawal of the alleged defamatory comments. He warned that failure to receive a satisfactory response would compel him to pursue all available legal remedies, including defamation proceedings.

The legal action comes amid dramatic political developments in West Bengal, where a section of rebel Trinamool leaders has increasingly distanced itself from the party leadership. Rebel MPs led by Kakali Ghosh Dastidar recently held a meeting at the residence of Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, with senior BJP leader and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also present.

The meeting has fueled speculation over a realignment in state politics, especially after reports emerged that the rebel faction had decided to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Adding to the intrigue, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay was reportedly seen travelling with fellow rebel MP Satabdi Roy in Delhi on Saturday. The two leaders were spotted leaving Delhi airport together and heading to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav’s residence, further intensifying speculation about growing cracks within the Trinamool Congress.

As political equations continue to shift in West Bengal, the latest legal battle has added another layer to the escalating tensions within the state’s ruling party.