The political fallout over the death of veteran Trinamool Congress leader Ashis Banerjee has intensified, with rival factions within the party trading allegations over alleged threats, pressure and harassment faced by the former minister.

The latest claims come as the investigation into Banerjee’s death examines whether he was under pressure before his death.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has already directed the authorities to examine the possibility of threats or blackmail and to verify the authenticity of the purported suicide note.

Kunal Ghosh, a spokesperson of the TMC’s Kalighat camp, alleged that Banerjee had been a victim of a 'threat culture” and claimed that he had not willingly moved towards the party’s rebel camp.

'He did not go to the other camp from his heart. He had no intention of leaving Mamata Banerjee,” Ghosh said, pointing to Banerjee’s social media accounts, which still carried photographs of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

Ghosh further alleged that influential people in Birbhum, who had themselves moved away from the TMC under pressure from the police and investigative agencies, had forced Banerjee to do the same.

The Kalighat camp also accused BJP supporters of harassing the former minister. According to Ghosh, Banerjee was allegedly threatened by some youths while travelling to Kolkata to attend the July 21 TMC rally.

Ghosh subsequently posted a video relating to the alleged incident on Facebook. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.

The allegations have been countered by the TMC’s rebel camp, which has focused on the issue of corruption and the political pressure faced by leaders who, it claims, were not involved in alleged wrongdoing during the party’s tenure.

Opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee said the purported suicide note contained a reference to tenders and alleged that decisions over who would receive tenders were taken from the party’s Kolkata office.

'Those who looted have no problem being called thieves. But people like Ashis Banerjee, who did nothing, had to hear various things,” Ritabrata said.

The rival camps have also clashed over an alleged threat incident at Shaktigarh. The Kalighat camp questioned why TMC leaders in Birbhum had not protested against the alleged incident.

TMC leader Anubrata Mondal acknowledged that what happened at Shaktigarh was wrong and said the Chief Minister had asked Banerjee to file a police complaint and had also discussed providing him security.

'I do not know why Ashisda did not file a case,” Mondal said. Meanwhile, political reactions have also come from outside the TMC.

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar attacked the party without directly addressing the allegations surrounding Banerjee’s death. 

Former West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury blamed the political environment under the TMC government.

The competing allegations have added another layer to the investigation into Banerjee’s death, with the police now expected to examine his phone records, messages and the purported suicide note to determine whether he faced threats, intimidation or other forms of pressure before his death.