Amid mounting turmoil within the Trinamool Congress following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, speculation intensified over a possible internal split after around nine to 10 newly elected
MLAs failed to attend a crucial strategy meeting convened by party chief and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
According to an ABP report, only around 70 of the party’s 80 newly elected legislators attended the high-stakes huddle, where the party was expected to deliberate on its future strategy and discuss the selection of the next Leader of the Opposition.
The absence of several MLAs immediately triggered political speculation over growing unrest within the party and whether the Trinamool Congress could be heading toward a deeper internal fracture after its electoral setback against the BJP.
The meeting assumed added significance as the party attempts to regroup after losing power in the state.
However, the Trinamool Congress later issued a clarification, dismissing speculation surrounding the absent legislators.
The report quoted party sources as saying that all MLAs who did not attend had either informed the leadership in advance or were specifically instructed not to come.
“There have been speculative reports in the media on a few MLAs not turning up for today’s meeting. Please note, all absentee MLAs had informed in advance of their absence or a few of them were asked not to come, especially from the North Bengal area,” AITC official sources said.
The party further explained that the Sagardighi MLA was unable to attend because of a family medical emergency.
It also said Birbhum MLA Kajal SK had been asked to remain in the district to assist families allegedly affected by post-poll violence.
MAMATA, ABHISHEK HOLD STRATEGY TALKS AFTER POLL DEFEAT
According to PTI, senior TMC leaders and newly elected MLAs gathered at Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata on Wednesday evening to discuss organisational strategy and allocation of responsibilities in the aftermath of the party’s defeat.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was also present during the discussions.
TMC spokesperson and Beliaghata MLA Kunal Ghosh said all decisions regarding future responsibilities would be taken solely by Mamata Banerjee.
“Who will get which responsibility and what assignment will be given to whom, that is entirely Didi’s decision, and all of us will abide by it. Whatever decision she takes will be final,” Ghosh told reporters after the meeting.
He also reiterated the party’s allegations regarding the election outcome, claiming that the BJP’s victory was “not proper” and alleging manipulation in the process.
Ghosh further claimed that the Election Commission was “part and parcel” of the saffron party’s result.
INTERNAL DISSENT BURSTS INTO OPEN AFTER DEFEAT
Even as the TMC leadership attempted damage control, dissent from within the party surfaced publicly less than 48 hours after the election results.
Several leaders openly criticised sections of the leadership and blamed organisational failures for the defeat.
Former minister and cricketer-turned-politician Manoj Tewari launched a scathing attack on former senior minister Aroop Biswas, alleging that “insecurity” prevented developmental work from progressing.
“This corrupt government got the people’s treatment it deserved, because it never worked for people’s good, never intended to fulfil the promises it made, and only cared about its personal interests,” Tewari said in a video message circulated on social media.
He alleged that his proposal to create an athletic hub in Howrah with Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake was deliberately blocked despite requiring only a small portion of the state sports budget.
Tewari further claimed he was repeatedly humiliated within the sports department and sidelined during official events.
Referring to the controversy surrounding football legend Lionel Messi’s visit to Salt Lake stadium last year, he said he had anticipated public backlash and therefore stayed away from the programme.
The former minister also alleged that even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not give him adequate time to explain his concerns when he approached her during a cabinet meeting.
LEADERS TARGET PARTY MANAGEMENT, CLAIM NEGLECT
The discontent was not limited to Manoj Tewari.
TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta alleged in a social media video that senior party leaders ignored his desperate calls for help when his family allegedly came under attack after counting trends showed a BJP victory.
“I will be committing a sin if I do not confess that on that day, when my own house was also under attack from these self-declared BJP miscreants, the only support I received was from the BJP leaders, not from my own party,” Dutta said.
Actor-MP Dev also posted a message congratulating the BJP on receiving the mandate to form the new government in Bengal.
In his statement, he appealed to the incoming dispensation to ensure unity and artistic freedom within the Bengali film industry while also seeking cooperation for the long-pending Ghatal Master Plan.
Meanwhile, leaders, including Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury and Kolkata deputy mayor Atin Ghosh, reportedly blamed Abhishek Banerjee’s political management style for the party’s downfall.
Ratna Chatterjee, who lost from Behala Paschim, also expressed disappointment over her inability to reach the party leadership during critical moments.
TMC ISSUES REBUTTAL AMID GROWING POLITICAL HEAT
As criticism mounted from within the organisation, the Trinamool Congress issued a general rebuttal, distancing itself from individual remarks made by party leaders and functionaries.
“We wish to clarify that any such statements made in the media or shared on social media platforms represent the personal views of the individuals concerned,” the party said in its statement.
“It should not be interpreted as the official stance unless officially communicated through official channels of the party.”
With questions emerging over missing MLAs, public criticism by senior leaders and visible cracks within the organisation after the election defeat, the Trinamool Congress now faces one of its most challenging political phases since coming to power in West Bengal.
