India, June 11 -- As the Trinamool Congress (TMC) battles one of the most turbulent phases in its nearly three-decade history, senior party leader Kalyan Banerjee has publicly drawn a line in the sand for party chief Mamata Banerjee.

The four-time MP from Serampore and one of Mamata's oldest political associates has openly challenged the growing influence of her nephew and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, even telling the chief minister to choose between the two.

"Let Didi decide what she wants to do. Till now I am with her," Kalyan Banerjee said. "If Didi decides to go with Abhishek then I would decide my own."

The remarks are significant not only because of their unusually blunt nature, but also because they come from a lea...