Kolkata: The faction of the Trinamool Congress headed by Mamata Banerjee hit a procedural snag in its effort to access money locked in its frozen bank accounts. The Calcutta High Court denied an expedited hearing, meaning the petition will only be listed after the court resumes post‑Puja recess.
Why the TMC needs immediate access
The party approached the bench seeking permission to tap the frozen balances for routine organisational outlays – staff wages, office rent and other essential costs. The appeal came after a stalemate with a monitoring committee chaired by retired Justice Subrata Talukdar, which had refused to release the requested amount.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya turned down the request for an urgent hearing and ordered that the matter be placed on the regular docket once the court reconvenes after the festive break.
Bank accounts remain under freeze
The financial impasse began when three TMC accounts were sealed following allegations of irregularities in transactions. The dispute escalated to the Calcutta High Court, where the Mamata‑led faction sought to unlock the funds needed to keep its operations afloat.
Earlier, the Supreme Court declined to intervene directly, urging the High Court to expedite its review. The apex court did not comment on the substantive merits, leaving the issue entirely in the hands of the lower court.
The state government has opposed the TMC’s request, citing concerns over the source of the deposits. In earlier hearings, officials highlighted a sizable cash infusion under investigation, reinforcing the state's stance against releasing the money.
Financial uncertainty clouds the party
The TMC argues that the ongoing freeze hampers its ability to meet day‑to‑day expenses and threatens its preparedness for upcoming electoral activities in West Bengal.
At the same time, a separate dispute 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 deliberates on the broader conflict.
With the High Court refusing an expedited hearing, the Mamata‑led faction must now wait until after the Puja holidays for its application to be heard. The eventual ruling will determine whether the disputed funds can be accessed, even as larger legal and organisational challenges loom on the horizon.
