Kunal questions use of party funds for chartered flights
The Statesman | 20 June 2026
Senior Trinamul Congress leader and Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh on Friday publicly questioned the use of party funds for chartered flights, triggering fresh political discussion over the travel arrangements of the party’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.
Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said he would not support the use of party resources for chartered air travel if such expenses were borne by the organisation. “I cannot say with certainty whether Abhishek Banerjee travelled by a chartered aircraft or by a commercial flight. However, if he has travelled by a chartered flight and the expenses have been paid from the party fund, then as a party worker I do not support it,” Ghosh said.
He added that the situation would be different if Banerjee had travelled as a co-passenger on a chartered aircraft arranged by someone else. “In that case, there is little for us to comment on,” he remarked. The statement assumes significance at a time when the Trinamul Congress is facing internal challenges following its loss of power in West Bengal. Abhishek, however in Delhi, told reporters that Ghosh is his party colleague could express his displeasures, he doesn’t mind. Sections of the party’s rank and file have reportedly expressed concerns over organisational issues and the difficulties being faced by grassroots workers in various districts.
Political circles have been abuzz over reports that Banerjee has been using chartered aircraft for travel to Delhi in connection with political and parliamentary matters. Party insiders said the issue has generated discussion within sections of the organisation, particularly among workers who believe greater emphasis should be placed on strengthening the party structure at the grassroots level.
The controversy has also drawn attention because Chief Minister and Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee had recently travelled to Delhi and reportedly returned on the same chartered aircraft arranged for Banerjee. According to aviation industry estimates, the cost of operating a long-range chartered flight can range between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh per flying hour, depending on the aircraft type and service requirements. A round trip between Kolkata and Delhi typically involves several hours of flight time, making such travel significantly more expensive than commercial airline services.
Meanwhile, Banerjee is understood to have travelled to Delhi on Friday in connection with a hearing reportedly convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Taking a swipe at Abhishek Banerjee, Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly, Ritabrata Banerjee said: “The party has suffered such a massive defeat. Workers are being attacked. There are even MLAs who have mortgaged their gold to bear the legal expenses of party workers. Not a single rupee is coming from the party. He (Abhishek) travelled by chartered flight earlier and has done so again now. There is nothing surprising about it. I am not surprised in the least because his arrogance has not diminished at all.”