Kolkata: The faction of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee hit a roadblock in its attempt to access cash lodged in the party’s frozen bank accounts. The Calcutta High Court denied an emergency hearing, meaning the petition will be taken up only after the court reconvenes following the Puja holidays.
Why the party is pressing for the money
The TMC petitioned the bench to permit the use of the blocked balances for routine organisational needs – staff wages, rent for party offices and other essential outlays. The plea came after a stalemate with a monitoring committee chaired by retired Justice Subrata Talukdar, which had been tasked with overseeing the accounts and had refused to release the requested sum.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya turned down the request for an immediate hearing, ordering that the matter be placed on the regular docket once the court resumes work after the festive break.
Bank accounts remain under freeze
The financial impasse began when three TMC accounts were sealed following allegations of irregularities in transactions. The case was escalated to the Calcutta High Court, where the Mamata‑led faction sought permission to draw on the funds needed to keep the party’s operations running.
Earlier, the Supreme Court declined to intervene directly, urging the High Court to expedite its review. The apex court did not pronounce on the substantive issues, leaving the entire dispute in the hands of the lower court.
The state government has opposed the TMC’s demand, pointing to concerns about the origin of the deposits. In earlier hearings, officials highlighted a large cash infusion that is under investigation, reinforcing the state’s stance against releasing the money.
Party faces financial uncertainty
The TMC argues that the ongoing freeze hampers its ability to meet day‑to‑day expenses and jeopardises its preparedness for upcoming electoral activities in West Bengal.
At the same time, a separate dispute over the party’s name and election symbol is raging between rival TMC factions. The Election Commission has temporarily barred the use of the original party name and emblem while it deliberates on the broader conflict.
"We cannot afford to let the freeze cripple our organisational machinery," said a senior TMC official, emphasizing the urgency of accessing the funds.
With the High Court refusing an expedited hearing, the Mamata‑led faction must now wait until after the Puja holidays for its application to be considered. The eventual verdict will decide whether the disputed funds can be tapped, even as larger legal and organisational challenges loom on the horizon.
