TMCs Election Defeat Attributed to Overconfidence and Corruption, Says Biswajit Deb

Kolkata, May 29: Senior TMC leader and Advocate General of Mizoram, Biswajit Deb, has attributed the party’s recent electoral defeat to overconfidence and arrogance.

In an interview with a news agency, Deb stated, “We were on the ground and could see that the situation was gradually slipping away from us. Corruption reached its peak over the past five years. Cases of corruption emerged in every department, leading to the arrest of several ministers, MPs, and MLAs. Some were even re-nominated, which angered the public. Approximately 26,000 teachers lost their jobs. The RG Kar Medical College scandal further fueled public outrage.”

Deb also raised concerns about Abhishek Banerjee, saying, “Mamata Banerjee placed too much trust in Abhishek. He attempted to turn the party into a corporate entity, while a political party should operate at the grassroots level. Ground-level workers received neither recognition nor respect. There was no communication between the workers and the leadership; all dialogue occurred solely through the I-PAC. Allegations suggest that I-PAC demanded money in exchange for tickets.”

He mentioned that he would decide within two days whether to leave the party. Deb defended the SIR, stating that it falls under the Election Commission’s authority as per the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Article 324 of the Constitution.

TMC MP Sougata Roy expressed satisfaction over the peaceful observance of Bakrid. He noted that this time prayers were held at Brigade Ground, which provided ample space.

In a conversation with a news agency, Roy remarked, “Bakrid passed peacefully. About 10,000 people participated in the prayers in my area of Kamarkhati. Previously, prayers were held at Red Road and Shaheed Minar, but this time the arrangements at Brigade Ground made the event successful.”

Roy expressed displeasure over the CEO of Kolkata praising security arrangements, stating that the official was acting as a government spokesperson. He added that after the successful completion of the event, there was no need for the commissioner to make any additional statements.

On the other hand, Roy accused the BJP of attacking TMC workers, attributing it to police negligence. He stated, “We went peacefully to submit a memorandum at the police station. Some BJP goons came out and started shouting slogans. As we were leaving, they yelled ‘thief-thief’.”

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