The aunt and the heir: How Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee are shaping Bengal’s political future

“Mamata Di and Abhishek are a remarkable combination. While growing up, this young man was mentored — and still is — by one of the world’s most respected public figures: his aunt. Over the past month, India and the world have seen something which Bengal already knows, and knows well. Trinamool’s chairperson and national general secretary are a skilled duo who work for the public good with sincerity, maturity, and humility.”

— Derek O’Brien, Trinamool Congress (TMC) parliamentary leader in the Rajya Sabha, on the relationship between Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee.

This might be the first time a senior TMC leader has gone on record about this key political and familial bond — particularly one who knows both parties so well.

O'Brien, a significant figure within the TMC, is known for his media reticence. He routinely turns down interview requests and steers clear of the typical political compulsion for self-promotion. Perhaps that’s why he still resides in a modest block of flats in Delhi, sharing space with other party colleagues.

As West Bengal heads into what may be its most consequential election yet — with a resurgent BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi mounting an aggressive campaign— one must marvel at how deftly the TMC handled a loaded political overture from the Centre. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and amid the standoff with Pakistan, the Modi government offered to include opposition voices in a global outreach. While the Congress erupted into a public squabble over Shashi Tharoor’s nomination, the TMC responded strategically.

Though the government had nominated cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan to represent the TMC, the party quickly had him withdraw and instead put forward Abhishek Banerjee. It was a clear assertion of party control. Unlike the Congress, which failed to rein in internal dissent over Tharoor, the TMC made its decision stick.

Abhishek’s presence on the international trip has been striking. He’s made a confident debut on the world stage — an ironic contrast to his near-absence in Parliament, where his attendance record is unimpressive. Interestingly, despite earning an MBA from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management in Delhi, he seems to have little love for the capital.

Mamata Banerjee, known for her mercurial style of politics, remains deeply rooted in family, which supported her through her long and bitter battle with the Left Front in Bengal. Now, having effectively dismantled the Left as a political force, she finds herself in a fierce contest with the BJP.

Banerjee’s sense of what resonates in Bengal politics is legendary. Last week, when Modi invoked "Operation Sindoor" at a rally in the state, she hit back sharply: “Every woman has dignity. They take sindoor from their husbands. Modi is not every woman’s husband. He should give sindoor to his own wife.” Then she added, “Sorry for saying this, but you compel us by coming to Bengal and speaking about Operation Sindoor.”

Her message was unequivocal: the TMC stands with the Modi government on global terrorism, with Abhishek at the forefront, but will not allow political opportunism in Bengal.

A senior TMC leader later said the BJP quietly dropped plans to distribute sindoor to households after Banerjee's speech, dismissing it as “fake news.” He pointedly contrasted the TMC’s discipline with the Congress's chaos, remarking, “That’s the difference — we know how to be an effective opposition.” He may have a point. While the Congress bickers in public and snipes at Tharoor’s speeches from within, the TMC has maintained tight discipline and message control.

Under Mamata Banerjee’s mentorship, Abhishek has grown from a shy, reluctant political entrant into a shrewd operator. He remains unfazed by the many cases filed against him by central investigative agencies — a now-routine hazard for opposition leaders.

TMC insiders scoff at reports of tensions between aunt and nephew, dismissing them as fanciful comparisons to other political families. “We’re not like the Pawars, where Ajit split the party, or like Mayawati and her nephew who fight and make up,” one said. “We find the stories amusing. Like last time, expect lots of them as the elections near. Sadly for the scandal-mongers, all is peaceful in the Banerjee household, where the only spice is in the fish curry.”

So, what’s next for Bengal?

First, don’t expect Mamata to cede anything to the Congress, which she considers an electoral liability. The INDIA alliance will likely not survive in West Bengal. Expect Modi, Yogi Adityanath, and Amit Shah to make weekly appearances in the state. Expect a no-holds-barred, vitriolic battle as both Banerjees rail against “outsiders.”

Internal strife in the BJP - especially the turf war between TMC turncoat Suvendu Adhikari and BJP veteran Dilip Ghosh - has weakened the saffron party's base.

But make no mistake: the BJP remains a formidable electoral machine, powered by vast financial resources. For Mamata Banerjee, this is the “khela” (game) of her life.