Kolkata: A request by the Mamata‑Banerjee‑led faction of the Trinamool Congress to access money stuck in its frozen party accounts hit a procedural snag when the Calcutta High Court declined to hear the matter on an urgent basis. The plea will now be scheduled for a regular hearing after the court’s Puja vacation.
Why the TMC wants the money
The party approached the bench seeking permission to draw from the blocked balances to cover routine expenditures such as staff wages, office rent and other essential outlays. The appeal comes after a stalemate with a monitoring committee chaired by retired Justice Subrata Talukdar, which has so far refused to release the requested sum.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya turned down the demand for an expedited hearing, ordering that the case be placed on the ordinary docket once the court reconvenes following the festive break.
Bank accounts remain sealed
The financial impasse began when three TMC accounts were frozen amid allegations of irregular transactions. The matter was escalated to the Calcutta High Court, where the Mamata‑aligned faction sought judicial permission to unlock the funds needed to keep party operations running.
Earlier, the Supreme Court chose not to intervene directly, instead urging the High Court to fast‑track its review. The apex court refrained from commenting on the substantive issues, leaving the dispute entirely to the lower court.
The state government has opposed the TMC’s request, questioning the source of the deposits. In earlier hearings, officials pointed to a large cash infusion under investigation, reinforcing the state’s reluctance to allow the money’s release.
Financial uncertainty for the party
The TMC argues that the continued freeze hampers its ability to meet daily expenses and threatens its preparedness for upcoming electoral campaigns in West Bengal.
At the same time, a separate internal clash over the party’s name and election symbol is unfolding between rival TMC factions. The Election Commission has temporarily barred the use of the original party name and emblem while it examines the broader dispute.
With the High Court refusing an accelerated 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 contested funds can be accessed, even as larger legal and organisational challenges loom.
