Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress faction headed by Mamata Banerjee hit a procedural snag in its attempt to free money trapped in the party’s frozen bank accounts. The Calcutta High Court refused to grant an emergency hearing, meaning the petition will be taken up only after the court resumes work post‑Puja holidays.
Why the party is scrambling for cash
The TMC approached the bench seeking a court order that would let it tap the frozen balances for everyday organisational needs – staff wages, rent and other unavoidable outlays. The plea came after a stalemate with a monitoring committee chaired by retired Justice Subrata Talukdar, which had declined to release the requested sum.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya turned down the request for an accelerated hearing and instructed that the matter be placed on the regular calendar once the court reconvenes after the festive break.
Bank accounts remain under freeze
The monetary impasse began when three TMC accounts were sealed following allegations of irregular transactions. The dispute was escalated to the Calcutta High Court, where the Mamata‑led group sought access to the funds required to keep its operations running.
Earlier, the Supreme Court declined to step in directly, urging the High Court to fast‑track its consideration. The apex court did not address the substantive issues, leaving the entire controversy in the hands of the lower court.
The state government has opposed the TMC’s request, raising doubts about the source of the deposits. In earlier hearings, officials highlighted a large cash infusion currently under investigation, reinforcing the state’s reluctance to allow the money’s release.
Party confronts financial uncertainty
The TMC contends that the ongoing freeze cripples its capacity to meet routine expenses and jeopardises its preparedness for forthcoming electoral activities in West Bengal.
At the same time, a separate tussle 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 reviews the broader dispute.
With the High Court denying an expedited hearing, the Mamata‑led faction must now wait until after the Puja holidays for its application to be heard. The eventual verdict will decide whether the contested funds can be accessed, even as larger legal and organisational challenges loom on the horizon.
