Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra is known for her highly blunt and frank speeches, be it in the Parliament or any grassroots meetings. She has never been shy to speak up, even when accused of breaching parliamentary procedure. Her fiery criticism and incendiary cacophony against party flip-flops at a public meeting in her constituency have now triggered a political storm. Although she did not name anyone, political observers say she hit out at TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya.
Mahua Moitra frequently organises meetings with small party worker groups in her parliamentary constituency, which local leaders attend. However, the press typically stays out of these meetings. On Wednesday, Moitra hosted party workers at a meeting similar to this one in Barania, Nadia. While journalists did not attend, footage of the event has gone viral.
In a part of the viral audio clip, Moitra can be allegedly heard as saying, ”They have caused damage to the party’s image. There are pending cases,We had lodged the FIR and filed the charge sheet. And yet they will come back before elections, hold meetings and they expect us to accept them? Are we dead? What do you think?”
These statements raised questions about who she was referring to. Political analysts attributed her remarks to Palashipara MLA Manik Bhattacharya.
In connection with the teacher recruitment scam, Bhattacharya had been in custody for a lengthy period. His wife and son were also in custody but were later bailed. Moitra delivered the speech on the same day when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a third supplementary charge sheet in the case in which Bhattacharya was again named. The CBI alleges that he received money in exchange for jobs.
“You Call Them Robbers, But They Are Dacoits”
Despite not using the name in her speech, Moitra’s statement was filled with bitterness. “I want to emphasise that they are dacoits, not just ordinarye petty thieves and pickpockets. A thief begets another thief; the wife, son, and indeed the entire family are thieves. I never say things like that, but today I have to. They have brought the party into disrepute.
Then she declared, ”Am I lying here? I am speaking the truth. I am Mamata Banerjee’s soldier. Some thieves and dacoits should not tarnish the image of the entire party.
Internal Rift in TMC?
Political pundits felt Moitra not only aimed at Manik Bhattacharya but also at some young leaders in the party. That fuels speculation about a possible fight in the TMC over whether or not to support leaders embroiled in corruption allegations.
Moitra’s remarks may suggest a growing discontent within the WBPCC regarding the handling of cases against leaders as the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections draw near. But the TMC leadership has so far not reacted to her remarks.