Congress Turmoil in Bengal: Mahila Chief Accuses State President of Harassment
Controversy has erupted within the Congress party in West Bengal, as the state's Pradesh Mahila Congress chief, Shrabanti Singh, has leveled serious allegations of harassment against the state party president, Subhankar Sarkar. This development comes at a critical time, with the party deciding to contest the upcoming state elections independently, without alliances.
Allegations of Harassment and Threats
In a formal complaint addressed to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Shrabanti Singh accused Subhankar Sarkar of continuously threatening, insulting, and making lewd comments towards her and other Mahila Congress functionaries. Singh detailed that Sarkar has been creating impediments in her efforts to strengthen the Mahila Congress unit, using abusive language and putting her in uncomfortable positions in front of party members.
Singh highlighted her significant contributions to the party, noting that she added over 1,00,000 women to the Pradesh Mahila Congress, making her the highest membership contributor in the All India Mahila Congress. She was felicitated in New Delhi for this achievement. Despite this, she claims Sarkar has been harassing her since her appointment as president, which was delayed for unknown reasons.
Specific Incidents and Broader Impact
Singh cited a recent incident on February 7, 2026, at the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) headquarters, where Sarkar allegedly threatened to disband her committee in front of 12 Mahila Congress functionaries. She also reported that he threatened her and her family members using abusive tones. Singh expressed concern that women from SC, OBC, and minority communities are reluctant to join the party due to fear of retribution from WBPCC leaders.
In her letter, Singh emphasized that as a Mahila Congress functionary, she is supposed to provide justice to marginalized women, but now she seeks justice for herself and her colleagues. She stated that she has not gone public or filed an FIR so far to protect the party's dignity, but urged that the issue not be ignored.
Sarkar's Denial and Counter-Allegations
Subhankar Sarkar has firmly denied all allegations, labeling them as a conspiracy to tarnish his image. He suggested that the accusations stem from internal dissent following the party's decision to contest the upcoming assembly elections alone. Sarkar claimed that those in favor of an alliance with the Left are behind this move, and he is ready to face such politically motivated allegations.
Sarkar added that the incident on February 7 occurred in the public domain, and his statements are known to all party colleagues, implying transparency in his actions. He expressed disappointment that such allegations are now emerging from within the party, rather than external opponents.
Political Context and Implications
This internal strife occurs as the Congress party in West Bengal prepares for the state elections, opting to go solo without alliances. The allegations could potentially impact the party's image and cohesion, especially among women voters and grassroots workers. The situation highlights broader issues of gender dynamics and internal discipline within political organizations.
The Congress leadership is now faced with addressing these serious complaints while navigating the electoral landscape. How the party handles this controversy may influence its prospects in the upcoming polls and its internal unity moving forward.
