New Delhi, June 8: The Trinamool Congress, which ended three decades of Left Front rule in West Bengal, is now grappling with a severe political crisis. The party’s situation is being likened to a house built on a sandy foundation, ready to collapse at the first sign of a storm.
Following a defeat in the assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress is struggling with allegations of corruption, factionalism, and organizational weaknesses. An open rebellion has emerged within the party, as a faction of 58 out of 80 elected MLAs has demanded recognition as the “real Trinamool Congress” in the assembly. Shortly after, 20 out of 28 Lok Sabha MPs reportedly made a similar claim to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office.
One of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, the Bashirhat seat, is currently vacant following the death of the Trinamool MP.
Meanwhile, Sukendu Shekhar Roy, one of the party’s 13 Rajya Sabha MPs, announced his resignation from both the Rajya Sabha and the primary membership of the party on Monday. His term was set to last until 2029.
The 77-year-old Roy had already been in the party leadership’s crosshairs. He openly supported protesters demanding justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case involving the rape and murder of an intern in August 2024. His public criticism of the party leadership regarding corruption issues intensified after the assembly election defeat.
Political analysts believe that Mamata Banerjee now appears more distant from the party’s grassroots workers and organization than before. Her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, who is responsible for organizational duties, is being accused of relying too heavily on professional advisors whose strategies often clash with Bengal’s political culture.
Dissatisfaction has long simmered within the party. Many leaders feel sidelined or pressured. Current events are being compared to the splits seen in Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), where breakaway factions attempted to establish themselves as the “real party.”
Recent incidents, including the message-empty controversy, the RG Kar Medical College case, corruption allegations, and the recent signature controversy, have continuously damaged the party’s credibility.
Ritabrata Banerjee led the rebel MLAs in Kolkata, while the discontented MPs in New Delhi were reportedly organized by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.
The 66-year-old doctor and MP, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, is said to be unhappy with the party leadership. She was removed from her position as Chief Whip and subsequently resigned from all organizational roles. Reports suggest she submitted a list of rebel MPs to the Lok Sabha Speaker, requesting recognition as a separate group supported by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Sources indicate that she believes the official notification of her removal from the Chief Whip position has not yet reached the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office, meaning she technically still holds the position.
The final decision rests with the Election Commission and the respective presiding officers of Parliament and the Assembly. However, the Trinamool Congress, established by Mamata Banerjee 28 years ago, currently appears to be in deep organizational turmoil.
Political observers note that just as the Left Front government fell from power after 34 years due to allegations of corruption, arrogance, and distance from the public, the Trinamool Congress now faces similar challenges.
Critics argue that Mamata Banerjee’s party, once buoyed by her image as a people’s leader, is now mired in corruption allegations, controversial leaders, and organizational chaos. They believe the party’s credibility is waning, and cracks in its political foundation are becoming increasingly visible.
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