Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Aroop Biswas has written a letter to HDFC Bank requesting a freeze on the party's account, citing a serious dispute over the authority and control of the organisation's affairs and assets. In the letter dated June 12, addressed to a Kolkata branch of the bank, Biswas identified himself as the treasurer of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and stated that he was acting in that capacity. He highlighted uncertainty surrounding who holds legitimate operational control and urged the bank to maintain the status quo by halting all debit transactions and any changes to the account's mandates until the matter is resolved.
"I, Aroop Biswas, acting in my capacity as the Treasurer of the All India Trinamool Congress (hereinafter referred to as “AITC”), write to bring to your attention a serious dispute presently prevailing concerning the authority and control of the affairs of AITC."
"At present, rival groups are claiming to be the legitimate representatives and office bearers of AITC, resulting in uncertainty regarding the authority of persons who may seek to operate the bank accounts maintained in the name of AITC."
Biswas urged the bank to "maintain status quo and refrain from permitting any debit transactions or changes in operational mandates" in the account until the dispute is resolved by a competent authority. He expressed concern over potential unauthorised transactions, stating there exists "a genuine and reasonable apprehension that the funds belonging to the Party may be dealt with, utilised or appropriated by persons who are not duly authorised to do so."
He further noted: "It is further a matter of public knowledge that a substantial number of elected representatives of the Party, including 20 out of 28 Members of Parliament and 58 out of 60 Members of the Legislative Assembly, have either left the Party or have openly revolted against the existing leadership."
This move occurs in the context of a documented internal rift within the TMC, where several leaders and elected representatives have expressed dissent or distanced themselves from the leadership under Mamata Banerjee following the party's recent electoral performance. Biswas was removed as treasurer on June 5, according to party sources, though he referenced his position in the June 12 letter. The TMC has reportedly disputed the validity of his request.
This development comes against the backdrop of a significant internal rift within the TMC. Several leaders and elected representatives have rebelled against the party's leadership under Mamata Banerjee, with claims of substantial numbers of MPs and MLAs distancing themselves or openly dissenting following the party's recent electoral setbacks.
Separately, Biswas's brother, Swarup Biswas, was arrested by Kolkata Police on June 4 in connection with an alleged extortion case in the Tollygunge film industry. The arrest followed an FIR lodged at New Alipore Police Station.
Aroop Biswas himself has been summoned multiple times by Bidhannagar Police in relation to the investigation into last year's Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium. He appeared before the police on Thursday as part of the ongoing probe. Party representatives have countered that Biswas no longer holds the treasurer position, describing the request as inconsistent with the current organisational structure.
