Calcutta High Court Defers TMC’s Urgent Funding Plea Until After Puja Break

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee hit a procedural snag in its attempt to unfreeze the party’s blocked bank balances. The Calcutta High Court denied an emergency hearing, meaning the petition will be scheduled only after the court resumes work post‑Puja holiday.

Why the party is pressing for the money

The TMC approached the bench requesting permission to draw on the frozen sums for routine organisational outlays – staff salaries, rent and other essential costs. The plea follows an impasse with a committee chaired by retired Justice Subrata Talukdar, which was appointed to supervise the accounts and has so far refused to release the requested amount.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya turned down the demand for an immediate hearing, directing that the matter be placed on the regular docket once the court reconvenes after the festive break.

Bank accounts remain under freeze

The financial standoff began after 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 access to funds needed to keep its operations running.

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 entire controversy in the hands of the lower court.

The state government has opposed the TMC’s demand, citing concerns about the source of the deposits. In earlier hearings, officials highlighted a large cash infusion that is under investigation, reinforcing the state’s stance against releasing the money.

Party faces financial uncertainty

The TMC argues that the continued 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 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 deliberates on the broader dispute.

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 decide whether the disputed funds can be accessed, even as larger legal and organisational challenges loom on the horizon.