TMC rejig: Mamata appoints Abhishek Banerjee as LS floor leader, Kalyan steps down as chief whip

Mamata announced a new floor leader as Bandyopadhyay, an MP from Kolkata North, is battling ill health.

The announcement was made at a closed-door meeting with party MPs on Monday.

Following Abhishek's appointment that has triggered 'old vs new guards' debate, cracks emerged within the TMC as senior MP Kalyan Banerjee announced his resignation as the chief whip.

However, Kalyan claimed his decision was not linked to Abhishek's promotion but as a response to party chief Mamata Banerjee's criticism of his role as the chief whip.

Speaking to ABP Ananda, Kalyan blamed Mamata for holding him responsible for a "lack of coordination" when several TMC MPs remained absent in the House.

"I have resigned because Didi alleged there was a lack of coordination in Lok Sabha. Sudip Bandyopadhyay is absent from the House for a long time, Kakoli seldom comes, am I the only one to take all responsibilities? So it's fitting for me to step down if I have failed to fulfill my duties," Kalyan, who has been leading the party's charge in the Lok Sabha of late, said.

"Didi claimed she was not consulted before finalising the list of speakers in the Lok Sabha. But it's untrue. Of course Didi was consulted. I can't accept anything wrong even if I have to quit politics," he added.

Kalyan, a controversial parliamentarian from Serampore, also hit out at the TMC supremo for not taking action against Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra, who called him a "pig" and "sexually frustrated" in a recent podcast.

"Didi said I have been quarreling. Will I have to tolerate it if someone abuses me? I had informed the party which blamed me instead of taking steps against Mahua Moitra," the Serampore MP told the Bengali news channel.

Though he had publicly snubbed Abhishek's prominence in the party earlier, Kalyan on Monday said he had nothing personal against the young parliamentarian, who is the de facto number two person in the ruling party of West Bengal.

"I have nothing against Abhishek Banerjee. I have no difference of opinion with him. We share a good relationship. He is competent enough," Kalyan told the broadcaster.

Meanwhile, Kalyan later paused his decision to step down as the chief whip on Abhishek's request.

"Abhishek had called me and asked to continue with my service for a few more days until he comes to Delhi this month," said Kalyan.