He is the chosen one. A 27-year-old political novice who finds himself in a position of authority. He is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s most favourite nephew: Abhishek Banerjee. He is the son of one of her six brothers.

His meteoric rise into prominence has altered several equations within the party. Some have benefited from their proximity to him, others like Mukul Roy, who was once Mamata Banerjee’s chief confidant have had their wings clipped.

In January this year, Abhishek was slapped on the face by a party worker at a public meeting in East Midnapore.  While some alleged it was the result of factionalism within the Trinamool Congress, others dismiss it as a stray incident.

After his schooling in Kolkata, Abhishek completed his BBA and MBA from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management, New Delhi.  He started his political career with the youth wing of the TMC in July 2012. Two years later he won the Lok Sabha elections from West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour constituency.

Those who have interacted closely with him describe him as a decent, respectful young man. One senior party member says, “He is not overtly political but he knows his aunt is an important lady and he is the one she has handpicked. It has been baptism by fire for him.” Abhishek was recently named president of the Trinamool Youth Congress.

Married to a Punjabi girl he met while he was studying in Delhi, Abhishek may or may not have chosen politics as a career. All those who know Mamata closely are well aware of the fact that she does not trust people easily.  For her it is most important to have a close blood relative she can groom. And who better than an educated young nephew?

Party members have little choice but to accept his sudden entry and quick rise within the party. A reasonably good public speaker, Abhishek has not yet shown any political acumen.

A senior TMC member says, “It is natural that there is a feeling of discomfort. But it happens all the time. It happens not just in politics but even in business. When a young scion emerges on the scene, aren’t senior professionals sidelined?”

It is a sad reflection of our times that political parties are equated with family-owned businesses. How many political parties today are democratic entities? Isn’t it the supremo’s writ that runs large?

It is not that West Bengal’s chief minister is unaware of the cracks that have appeared within the TMC primarily because of the way an unknown young man was suddenly propped up and superceded those who had toiled for years.

Some go as far as to say Mamata Banerjee is grooming him as her successor. West Bengal has never had a taste of dynastic politics.

There is always a first time.

Payal Mohanka is a Kolkata-based senior journalist.