KOLKATA, West Bengal – The dust has barely settled on the electoral battlefield, yet the tremors within West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) are escalating into a full-blown internal crisis. Following a stunning and humiliating defeat at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent Assembly elections, a chorus of dissent, long suppressed, has erupted from within the party ranks. Leaders and legislators, who for years publicly toed the party line, are now openly articulating their grievances, exposing deep-seated factionalism, strategic missteps, and a growing disconnect with the grassroots. This unprecedented outpouring of criticism marks a critical juncture for the party founded by Mamata Banerjee, challenging its hierarchical structure and the very foundations of its political strategy.
The Aftermath: A Public Outpouring of Grievances
The electoral drubbing, which saw the BJP make significant inroads into what was once considered impregnable TMC territory, acted as a catalyst. The initial shock quickly gave way to introspection, albeit a public and often scathing one. The silence that once shielded the party’s internal workings has shattered, revealing a landscape rife with accusations of corruption, mismanagement, and a leadership increasingly detached from its cadres and the populace.
One of the first to break ranks with a public broadside was former Minister of State for Sports and celebrated cricketer, Manoj Tiwary. His unfiltered critique labelled the Mamata Banerjee government "corrupt" and asserted that it "deserved to be cast away." Tiwary’s fiery pronouncements, delivered via Facebook Live just two days after the BJP’s victory, sent shockwaves through the party, signalling the end of an era of unchallenged internal loyalty. He went further, alleging that he was deliberately sidelined by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former sports minister Aroop Biswas, claiming repeated attempts to meet the Chief Minister were met with dismissive responses, including a curt "Do I have nothing better to do?"
Following Tiwary’s lead, other prominent TMC figures began to voice their concerns. Actor and Member of Parliament (MP) Dev, who successfully retained his Ghatal seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and actively campaigned in the Assembly polls, openly expressed his disillusionment. His frustration centred on the long-delayed "Ghatal masterplan," a crucial project aimed at mitigating severe flooding in the Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts. Dev revealed that he had been "falsely promised" by both Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, that the project would be fast-tracked. His refusal to "speak lies" about the plan underscored a growing sentiment among some leaders that the party was failing to deliver on its commitments.
Significantly, a considerable portion of the criticism has been directed towards Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata’s nephew and the party’s general secretary. Several leaders have subtly, and some not so subtly, blamed him for the electoral debacle, hinting at concerns over his leadership style and perceived inaccessibility. This scrutiny of Abhishek marks a significant shift, as he has been widely seen as Mamata’s chosen successor and a key architect of the party’s future strategy.
The Roots of Discontent: Factionalism, Neglect, and Strategic Missteps
The internal critiques paint a picture of a party grappling with systemic issues that run far deeper than mere electoral arithmetic. From rampant factionalism to an over-reliance on external agencies, the foundations of the TMC’s organisational strength appear to have been eroded.
The Murshidabad Divide: Factionalism and Lobbyism
The district of Murshidabad, a traditional stronghold that witnessed significant shifts in this election, has emerged as a focal point of discontent. TMC MLA Niamot Sheikh, who secured a victory from Hariharpara, offered a blunt diagnosis of the party’s malaise: "Lobbies, lobbies and lobbies. The party is infected with lobby and factionalism." Sheikh, who attended a crucial TMC Legislature Party meeting at Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence, directly blamed the top leadership for allowing this factionalism to fester, ultimately leading to the defeat.
He recounted his repeated, unheeded warnings to the party high-ups regarding the numerous factions operating within Murshidabad itself. "They thought it was better not to pay heed to me," Sheikh lamented to The Indian Express. He articulated a troubling internal dynamic where the leadership believed that more factions equated to more competition and, paradoxically, a stronger party position. However, this strategy backfired spectacularly. "If one raised questions, they would back the other lobby. It is a fact that when one becomes the party’s candidate in the polls, the other lobbies will not work for him," he explained, highlighting the self-sabotaging nature of such internal rivalries.
A prime example of this detrimental internal politics, according to Sheikh, was the controversial suspension of Humayun Kabir. Kabir, a prominent leader, was suspended from the TMC after he proceeded with plans to build a Babri-like mosque in Murshidabad. He subsequently formed his own party, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP), and managed to win two seats from where he contested. Sheikh squarely blamed anonymous "lobbies" for "brainwashing" Mamata Banerjee against Kabir. "Humayun did what he could, and floated a new party. In Murshidabad, like in other areas, Muslim vote got divided," Sheikh pointed out, underscoring how internal machinations directly impacted the party’s crucial minority vote bank.
The Technology Trap: Undermining the Human Factor
Niamot Sheikh also highlighted another critical misjudgment by the party leadership: an overemphasis on technology and digital campaigns at the expense of grassroots human connection. "Then there was technology," Sheikh said, referring to the party’s heavy reliance on social media campaigns and other tech-driven outreach efforts. While acknowledging the importance of modern communication, he sharply criticised the leadership for having "undermined the human factor." This observation implicitly points to the role of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a professional election consulting agency employed by the TMC, which has often been criticised for its data-driven, top-down approach that some argue alienated traditional party workers.
The Shifting Sands of Vote Banks: Muslim Disillusionment and Hindu Consolidation
The electoral outcome in West Bengal has fundamentally altered the state’s political landscape, particularly concerning traditional vote banks. Several TMC MLAs from Murshidabad district, a region with a significant Muslim population, pointed to a crucial shift in voting patterns. Akhruzzaman, the TMC MLA from Raghunathganj, squarely blamed the division of Muslim votes for the party’s defeat in minority-dominated areas. "Muslims voted for everyone else but the TMC and BJP. We used to get all the Muslims votes. The votes were divided," he stated, though he remained reticent about the specific "reasons" for this division.
An anonymous TMC MLA from Murshidabad elaborated further, revealing a stark polarisation: "Our Muslim vote bank cracked, while the Hindu votes consolidated towards the BJP." This represents a profound challenge for the TMC, which has historically relied heavily on the support of the state’s Muslim community. The reasons cited for this division include internal dissent (like Kabir’s suspension), perceived neglect, and the rise of other parties appealing to Muslim voters. Concurrently, the BJP successfully capitalised on Hindu consolidation, a strategy it has meticulously pursued across India. This dual phenomenon – a fractured minority vote and a solidified majority vote for the opposition – proved devastating for the TMC.
Questioning Leadership: Mamata’s Stance and Party Direction
Beyond the organisational issues, the very leadership and strategic decisions of Mamata Banerjee herself have come under unprecedented scrutiny, particularly her refusal to resign as Chief Minister after the electoral setback.
The Resignation Debate: A Point of Contention
The question of Mamata Banerjee’s resignation became a touchstone for internal dissent. An anonymous TMC MLA from Murshidabad, disagreeing sharply with Mamata’s decision not to accept defeat, stated, "I believe we should accept defeat, and start rebuilding the party. Not accepting defeat is further tarnishing our image among the people." This sentiment was echoed by Arunabha Sen, a four-time TMC MLA from Bagnan in Howrah district, who was equally critical. While acknowledging Mamata Banerjee’s stature, Sen candidly remarked, "But as an insignificant MLA of the party, I can only say that had I been the chief minister, I would have resigned after such a defeat of the party in the election." These statements highlight a growing divergence within the party on how to approach accountability and public perception in the wake of a significant loss.
Conversely, veteran TMC leader Madan Mitra, who successfully won from Kamarhati, defended the decision, asserting it was "a unanimous decision of the party MLAs." He clarified, "It is not her decision. Party’s elected MLAs took this decision unanimously," attempting to project a united front and distribute responsibility among the legislative party.
Organisational Shortcomings and External Dependencies
The internal critique also touched upon broader organisational deficiencies and the perceived over-reliance on external entities. Sabina Yasmin, the TMC MLA from Sujapur in Malda district and former North Bengal Development Minister, cautiously admitted to "organisational shortcomings" while reaffirming her faith in Mamata Banerjee. "We do have some organisational shortcomings. We can’t deny it," she conceded, hinting at systemic issues without delving into specifics.
The anonymous Murshidabad MLA provided more detail, lamenting that "Our voices never reached the top. The party was dependent on a professional agency (I-PAC) which acted as middlemen." This statement underscores a significant point of contention: the perceived insulation of the top leadership and the creation of an intermediary layer that potentially stifled direct feedback from ground-level workers and elected representatives. This reliance on a professional agency, while intended to streamline campaigns, appears to have inadvertently created a chasm between the leadership and its traditional cadre, who felt bypassed and unheard.
Electoral Mechanics Under Scrutiny: Blaming External Factors
While internal factors were heavily scrutinised, some TMC leaders also pointed fingers at external elements, particularly the Election Commission’s processes and the deployment of central forces, as contributing to their defeat.
The Shadow of SIR and Central Forces
Abdur Rahim Boxi, the TMC MLA from Malatipur in Malda, attributed the party’s debacle, in part, to the Election Commission’s contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. "The SIR and then Central forces drove fear in people’s minds, I think," he stated, suggesting that the revision process might have unfairly disenfranchised TMC voters or created confusion, while the presence of central forces intimidated the electorate. Sandipan Saha, the TMC MLA from Entally in Kolkata, echoed Boxi’s sentiment, indicating that the party would "look into the reasons for its defeat," including these external factors.
Deputy Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Atin Ghosh, who lost from Kashipur-Belgachia Assembly constituency, articulated "three main reasons" for the defeat. His list included "religious polarisation," the "deletion of voters’ names in the SIR," and "the huge anti-incumbency we faced across the state." The SIR process, typically undertaken to update voter lists, has often been a point of contention in Indian elections, with political parties frequently alleging malpractices or deliberate deletions of their support base.
Religious Polarisation and Anti-Incumbency
Ghosh’s candid admission of "religious polarisation" highlights the BJP’s successful strategy of consolidating Hindu votes, particularly in the backdrop of perceived "appeasement politics" by the TMC. This narrative, amplified by the BJP, appears to have resonated with a significant section of the Hindu electorate, leading to a decisive shift in their voting patterns. Coupled with this, a "huge anti-incumbency" sentiment, a natural outcome after years of continuous rule, worked against the TMC. Voters, weary of existing governance issues or simply seeking change, found a viable alternative in the surging BJP. The combination of these two factors – religious polarisation and anti-incumbency – proved to be a formidable challenge that the TMC, despite its efforts, could not overcome.
The Party’s Response: Cracking Down on Dissent
While some leaders were allowed to air their grievances, the party leadership was quick to draw a line, issuing show-cause notices to several spokespersons for making "anti-party comments" following the defeat. This move signals a delicate balance between allowing internal discussion and suppressing outright rebellion, but also risks alienating further those who feel their concerns are being ignored.
Show-Cause Notices: A Message to Dissenters
On Friday, the TMC issued show-cause notices to five spokespersons: Riju Dutta, Krishnendu Chowdhury, Kohinoor Majumdar, Papiya Ghosh, and Kartik Ghosh. They were asked to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for "violating party discipline." The specific comments that triggered these notices offer insight into the party’s sensitivities. Kohinoor Majumdar had publicly stated that "Party leaders had to wait for hours to meet the TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee," highlighting concerns about his accessibility. Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, a TMC leader from Malda, also criticised Abhishek’s "way of functioning." Papiya Ghosh and Kartik Ghosh similarly spoke out against the party leadership. Notably, Papiya Ghosh is the daughter of senior Cooch Behar TMC leader Rabindranath Ghosh, who himself had publicly criticised Abhishek, though he was not issued a notice, suggesting a selective approach to disciplinary action. Riju Dutta’s transgression was praising the BJP’s measures to curb post-poll violence in a social media post, an act seen as an endorsement of the opposition.
High-Profile Grievances: Tiwary and Dev’s Personal Battles
The critiques from high-profile figures like Manoj Tiwary and Dev carry significant weight due to their public recognition and direct engagement with the party’s top leadership. Tiwary’s detailed account of being sidelined, including Mamata Banerjee’s alleged dismissive response, painted a picture of a leader increasingly isolated and out of touch with her own ministers. His declaration of being "relieved by TMC’s exit" was a stinging indictment from a former party insider.
Similarly, Dev’s public statement about the unfulfilled "Ghatal masterplan" not only highlighted a specific governance failure but also challenged the credibility of promises made by both Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee. His refusal to "speak lies" resonated with a public weary of unkept political assurances, further amplifying the narrative of disillusionment within the party’s own ranks.
Implications for the Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Politics
The current internal turmoil places the Trinamool Congress at a critical crossroads. The immediate aftermath of the election has not only revealed the depth of the party’s structural and strategic weaknesses but also poses profound questions about its future trajectory.
Firstly, the challenge to Mamata Banerjee’s undisputed authority, though not a direct coup, is unprecedented. For years, she has been the singular, towering figure of the TMC, her decisions rarely questioned openly. The current wave of dissent, while varied in its intensity, chips away at this image of invincibility and internal cohesion. Her decision not to resign, despite being defended by some, has clearly caused unease among others who believe it harms the party’s image and democratic principles.
Secondly, the direct and indirect criticisms levelled at Abhishek Banerjee are particularly significant. As the anointed successor and general secretary, his leadership style, accessibility, and strategic acumen are now under intense scrutiny. This internal questioning could impede his ascent and create factions loyal to other leaders, potentially destabilising the party’s future leadership transition. The show-cause notices, particularly those targeting criticisms of Abhishek, indicate a defensive stance from the party’s core leadership, potentially stifling necessary internal dialogue.
Thirdly, the TMC faces the daunting task of regaining lost ground and rebuilding its organisational structure. The electoral defeat has exposed vulnerabilities, from factionalism at the grassroots to a disconnect between the leadership and its cadres. The alleged over-reliance on external agencies like I-PAC, while perhaps offering a professional veneer, seems to have alienated traditional party workers who feel their ground-level experience was undervalued. Re-establishing trust and robust internal communication channels will be paramount.
Fourthly, the BJP’s emergence as a formidable opposition, having successfully leveraged religious polarisation and anti-incumbency, necessitates a complete re-evaluation of the TMC’s political strategy. The cracking of the Muslim vote bank and the consolidation of Hindu votes demand a nuanced and inclusive approach to regain broader public trust, rather than relying on traditional vote bank politics alone.
Finally, the potential for further defections or internal fracturing looms large. If the party fails to address the legitimate grievances of its members and instead opts for suppression, more leaders might choose to jump ship, further weakening the organisation. The immediate future of the Trinamool Congress hinges on whether it can engage in genuine introspection, implement meaningful reforms, and adapt to the evolving political landscape of West Bengal, or if it will choose to double down on existing strategies, risking deeper internal divisions and prolonged political marginalisation. The coming months will be crucial in determining if the TMC can stem the tide of dissent and chart a path towards rejuvenation, or if the current turmoil will mark the beginning of its decline.
