Mamata skips Bhai Phonta celebrations; her brother joins the rebel camp, praises Suvenda

Mamata Banerjee. File | Photo credit: ANI

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (Nov 11, 2026) skipped the Bhai Phonta festivities at her residence, breaking a tradition dating back several years of her party leaders flying as the crow flies to seek her blessings.

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Celebrated as Bhai Dooj in other parts of India, sisters apply tika on the forehead of their brothers as a sign of love and pray for their long and healthy lives. Ms. Banerjee, who is also called ‘Didi’ (elder sister), would offer tilak to a number of her party leaders and supporters.

“Mamata di not watching Bhai Phont. She didn’t watch Bijoya (Vijayadasami) before. She won’t watch Bhai Phont this time either. In light of the attacks, terror, police brutality and arrests on false charges that TMC (Trinamool Congress) workers have faced since the elections,” @MamataOfficial India Congress has not watched this time Spokesperson (AITC) Kunal Ghosh said.

“As the family’s Kali puja could not be cancelled, Ms Banerjee performed the puja for the goddess. But she will not conduct any Bhai Phonta ceremony. Anyone can come to see her. But Didi will not conduct the Bhai Phonta ceremony this time,” Mr Ghosh said.

While some of Ms. Banerjee’s supporters gathered at her residence, most of her former loyalists, who had since deserted her, were conspicuous by their absence. AITC leader and Sreerampur MP Kalyan Banerjee, who visited her residence, criticized the “opportunists who came during Bhai Phonta” when she was in power. The chief minister raised her brothers all by herself, the MP said.

The remarks were made in connection with Ms Banerjee’s youngest brother, Swapan Banerjee, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday (November 11, 2026) evening. Mr. Swapan Banerjee was seen touching Mr. Adhikari’s feet and praising the Chief Minister. Mr. Adhikari visited Kalighat to attend the Kali Puja organized by the locals. Mr. Swapan Banerjee also said that he will not attend Bhai Phonta at his sister’s residence.

On Wednesday (November 11, 2026), Mr. Swapan Banerjee joined the leaders of the rebel faction of the party who organized a Bhai Phonta event at the Democratic Trinamool Congress (DTP) office. DTP leaders including Ritabrata Banerjee and Madan Mitra were present when they were joined by the former chief minister’s brother. Chandrima Bhattacharya, a former minister in Ms Banerjee’s cabinet, was seen offering Bhai Phonta to leaders of the rebel TMC faction.

Published – 11 Nov 2026 22:49 IST