In what is being viewed as a faint sign of a war-of-succession, a section of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have tossed up the idea of elevating Abhishek Banerjee the party general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP as the Deputy Chief Minister with the charge of Police Ministry.

Former Minister and party MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad Humayun Kabir has courted controversy, demanding early coronation for Abhishek who is also the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“No one lives in power for ever, Bidhan Roy too was a powerful politician … many others were there but none lived for ever… in view of this some decisions have to be taken… I think it is the right time elevate Abhishek as the Deputy Chief Minister with additional charge of the Police Ministry … which will not only make Mamata Didi’s work easier but also help the police provide a better service to the people,” Kabir who has often been known for his controversial remarks said.

Apart from being the party general secretary the junior Banerjee is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district from where he won the parliamentary elections in 2024 by a record margin of about 7.5 lakh votes.

Saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in the Centre might not continue for long in which case the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance would come to power Kabir said, “the BJP Government will not last long and as INDIA Bloc will come to power Mamata Didi will get preoccupied in the national politics… for this the party should be ready with Abhishek Banerjee to share her responsibility… so he must be made the Deputy Chief Minister,” reminding how Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu had left the Home Ministry for his successor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

When asked as to whether his statement would not once again whip up the “old versus new” debate early this year forcing the Chief Minister to intervene to issue a whip against making any off the cuff remarks, Kabir said he was not saying anything against the Chief Minister.

“Rather I have always gone on record saying that Mamata Banerjee is the best and most competent in the business in the entire country… there is no other politician to match her ability… which is why she will be busy in the Centre and for that the work in Bengal will be neglected… presently the Chief Minister works for 16-18 hours per day… for that Abhishek who has proved his mettle both as an organiser and an administrator should be given to share her responsibility… also because this will give him an exposure,” he said.

When asked as to whether he would offer his suggestion in writing to the Chief Minister he said, “that I will decide… whether I will write or whether I will directly talk to the Chief Minister when I meet her in the Assembly.”

Senior Bengal minister Firhad Hakim came back sharply against Kabir saying there was no one who could match Mamata Banerjee.

Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh too said such issues should not be discussed outside the party in public. “There are certain issues which are not to be discussed in the public… there is no doubt that Abhishek is a capable person but it is for Mamata Banerjee to take decisions,” he said.