In a sign of deepening troubles within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior party leader and Mamata Banerjee loyalist Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday asked her to choose between him and Abhishek Banerjee.Even as three leaders have already quit the party and also stepped down as Rajya Sabha members, Kalyan’s rebellious note signals big turmoil in the party. After its humiliating defeat in the West Bengal elections, the TMC is currently facing an existential crisis, with the party witnessing splits both in the Assembly and Parliament.Talking to reporters in Kolkata, Kalyan, while slamming the Lok Sabha MP from Diamond Harbour, even refused to represent Abhishek in the Calcutta High Court. The matter in question relates to a CID case.”I cannot tolerate disrespect. I will urge Didi, ‘If you will remain dependent on Abhishek, then stick with him — leave me. But if you part ways with Abhishek, then I am with you.’ He has destroyed our party,” he said.Speaking about his long legal career and the lack of respect he feels from Abhishek, Kalyan added, “He thinks everyone is beneath him… Who does not know me as a senior advocate? Leave aside this court — even in the Supreme Court, people know me. But he has become so arrogant and does not respect anyone. That is why I have stepped aside.”The Sreerampur Lok Sabha MP said he had also informed Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien that many of the recent developments were due to Abhishek.Meanwhile, Pratima Mondal reiterated her commitment to the Trinamool Congress, dismissing as “absolutely fake news” reports that she had signed a letter extending support to the NDA.Breaking his silence on the controversy, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha said he “stood by” Mamata, recalling that she had supported and encouraged him during some of the most difficult phases of his political career. He added that having been elected on the TMC symbol, it was his responsibility to remain with the party.In a post on X, even Babul Supriyo made it clear that he was neither joining any faction or any other party, adding that “it’s inappropriate to abandon a ship when it is in troubled waters.”Third Rajya Sabha MP quitsThe TMC mass exodus continues as another party leader Prakash Chik Baraik resigned as the Rajya Sabha member on Thursday. The development comes just a day after senior TMC leader Sushmita Dev resigned from the Upper House after quitting the party. Earlier, senior party leader Sukhendu Sekhar had resigned from both the Trinamool Congress and the Rajya Sabha. With Baraik’s resignation, the TMC’s strength in the Rajya Sabha now stands at 10.