Kolkata:
Some are calling it a rebellion, others a mere ripple. But Trinamool MP Kabir Suman has deeply embarrassed his party by accusing his party men of misusing funds meant for development work.
"They are no different from the CPM," he said. Kabir Suman's outburst set off a buzz that he might face tough action from the party boss but Mamata Banerjee played down the episode saying he had the right to air his views.
He was once called Bengal's Bob Dylan. This May, he became Trinamool MP. But six months on, Kabir Suman seems to have had enough. On Sunay, he slammed Trinamool leaders in the panchayats for corruption and failure to deliver, just like the CPM.
"I am telling you I am dying trying to do development. Everything is party, party, party servants. On one side the CPM administration, on the other side other parties, who eat, eat and eat," said Kabir Suman.
For 24 hours, Trinamool members held their breath, waiting for the mercurial Mamata to react. But she chose to play it cool.
"This is a small matter. He is our guest. He has never really been a part of Trinamool. He is a Left thinking member of the civil society who we welcomed as a candidate. He can give his opinion. That's democracy. It's a small matter. You don't have to worry about it," said Mamata Banerjee.
The storm over Kabir Suman may be over for now. But the MP has embarrassed the Trinamool as no one else from within has ever dated to before and aftershocks may still be round the corner.