Mamata Banerjee snaps ties with brother Babun after he goes rogue

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that she was disowning and snapping ties with her younger brother Swapan Banerjee who is popularly known as Babun Banerjee.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that she was disowning and snapping ties with her younger brother Swapan Banerjee who is popularly known as Babun Banerjee.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came a day after her brother said he would contest the Lok Sabha polls against Trinamool Congress candidate Prasun Banerjee as an independent. “From today, I totally disassociate myself from him. From now on, please do not link my name with him. Forget that I had any relationship with him. Not only me, other members of my family will also disassociate themselves from him,” Ms. Banerjee told media persons at Siliguri in north Bengal.

Also Read |Mamata Banerjee’s brother ‘unhappy’ over TMC’s Howrah Lok Sabha seat nomination

Babun Banerjee is a popular name in Kolkata’s sporting circles and has aired his differences with footballer and Howrah MP Prasun Banerjee. “I have a lot of allergies towards Prasun Banerjee. I may contest as an independent candidate against him,” the Chief Minister’s brother had told a private news channel. Youngest of the Chief Minister’s six brothers, Babun Banerjee is a president of Bengal Olympic Association, Bengal Hockey Association, secretary of Bengal Boxing Association and also in charge of the sports wing of the State’s ruling party.

Prasun Banerjee is a two time MP who was elected From Howrah Lok Sabha seat in 2014 and 2019.

He was keen to contest from Howrah Lok Sabha seat and had also registered as a voter in Howrah. “Sometimes, people become greedy as they grow older. In every election, he creates problems. I do not like greedy people,” the Chief Minister said. Ms. Banerjee added that she was unhappy with his conduct.

There has been talk that Babun was trying to reach out to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After the Chief Minister issued a strong statement, he softened and said that he would not do anything against the wishes of ‘Didi’, his elder sister.