Mamata Banerjee's Stance on Age in Politics Sparks Debate Within Trinamul Party

On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reaffirmed her opposition to letting go of individuals with experience and knowledge merely because of their age. This came the day after Abhishek Banerjee, her nephew and Trinamul national general secretary, expressed his support for an age limit, stoking the ongoing debate between the party's old and new members.

Dwivedi (H.K.) is present. He used to be our chief secretary, but he is now my main financial advisor. Here too is Alapan (Bandyopadhyay), a former chief secretary who is now the principal advisor to the office of the chief minister. Just because someone reaches 60 doesn't mean we have to say goodbye to them. We make use of their knowledge and experience in carrying out government initiatives," Mamata said during the launch of development plans for Sagar Island and its district, South 24-Parganas, alongside the two past chief secretaries and current chief secretary B.P. Gopalika.

Despite the fact that the occasion was non-political, a number of Trinamul elders said Mamata's comments should be construed politically in light of Abhishek's remarks made on Sunday at a party gathering in Pailan.

"I firmly think that she purposefully used the two chief secretaries who came before him at Gangasagar as an example to demonstrate to the public how two ostensibly retired individuals have been contributing significantly to her administration. According to a top Trinamul official in Calcutta who is considered a part of the so-called old guard, she subtly reiterated her support for the effective members of the old guard, who she feels should be involved in active politics regardless of age.

"People should continue to play important roles in politics if they are still fit to do so, even when they become 60, 70, or 80 years old. At the age of 69, Mamata is still considered very capable and efficient, both physically and mentally, by everyone in the party and those outside. The veteran of Trinamul said, "She is still better at most things, even physically, than people in their late 40s."

Senior state government officials also said that there shouldn't have been a cause for the two former chief secretaries—who are now the chief minister's advisers—to go to Gangasagar, which is 120 kilometers from Calcutta.

"Taking the two previous chief secretaries to Gangasagar, particularly for administrative duties, should not have been necessary. A top official said, "If the two went, it was because the chief minister requested them to."

Mamata remarked it was unusual to have "three chief secretaries" there, two of whom had held the position before.

She went on, pointing out the efforts of the three people now employed by the Bengali government, saying, "It is a very big work that the government did."

According to a state government source, Mamata made the right decision in appointing two former chief secretaries as advisors because of their crucial contribution.

"H.K. Dwivedi, our recently departed chief secretary, in particular, has extensive expertise and proficiency in managing finance-related matters. The insider said, "We shouldn't forget that he was crucial to the administration's operation when the Center withheld payments from Bengal under many headings.

Speaking in Pailan on Sunday, Abhishek, the proponent of the new in the heated argument, ruled out a split with the old and promised to carefully carry out whatever duty entrusted to him in order to secure victory in the Lok Sabha election.

However, the 36-year-old MP from Diamond Harbour has remained steadfast in his support of an age cap.

"It is true that I have stated that physical abilities diminish with the advancement of age," Abhishek remarked.

"What is there to deny? This is gospel truth," he questioned. "This eliminates the possibility of internal strife, disputes, and civil war—all of it."

Mamata is expected to go to Joynagar on Tuesday afternoon for a benefit distribution event. She spent the night in Gangasagar on Monday.