Trinamool sees mass exodus, 100 councillors resign, MP attends BJP meet
Nearly 100 TMC councillors have resigned, deepening the crisis for Trinamool after it was routed by the BJP in Bengal. The turmoil is not limited to the grassroots, as senior leaders have openly dissented against Mamata Banerjee. Is TMC facing its gravest crisis?
The once-formidable Trinamool Congress, led by the mercurial Mamata Banerjee, appears to be wilting after its crushing defeat in the Bengal elections. Senior leaders like Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar are openly voicing discontent, while unrest in Trinamool-controlled civic bodies has led to mass resignations. Nearly 100 councillors from different municipalities have resigned in the past few days. The political upheaval has opened a window for the BJP to expand its footprint in municipal bodies that remain largely under Trinamool's control.
The crisis has become so severe that several municipal boards could be dissolved even before civic polls are held next year. According to AajTak Bangla, speculation is rife that Mamata's close aide and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has expressed his desire to quit. Although Mamata recently urged councillors not to resign, signs of turmoil in Bengal's civic bodies are emerging almost daily.
It is undoubtedly the worst crisis Trinamool has faced since Mamata formed the party in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress. On previous occassions, Mamata acted as a cohesive force in keeping the flock together. But the circumstances are different now.
TRINAMOOL SEES MASS EXODUS
The wave of resignations started after the Suvendu Adhikari-led government clarified that the past activities of the local bodies would be scrutinised and, accordingly, action would be taken. In some municipalities, TMC councillors have stopped going to their offices altogether. The government has started appointing administrators in such bodies, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs (UDMA) minister Agnimitra Paul said.
A series of arrests of councillors linked to the TMC over alleged corruption and extortion activities has only added to the nervousness. Last week, three councillors were arrested over allegations of extortion and intimidation.
The mysterious death of influential South Dum Dum Trinamool councillor Sanjay Das on May 23 has added to the atmosphere of anxiety. Das, who was known to be close to Trinamool leader Debraj Chakraborty and faced allegations of corruption and extortion, was found hanging last week. A case of unnatural death has been registered.
In fact, Chakraborty, husband of former TMC MLA Aditi Munshi, is being probed by central agencies over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process carried out by the civic body. Former TMC minister Sujit Bose has already been arrested by the ED in the case.
Municipalities across North 24 Parganas and the adjoining industrial belt have been the hardest hit.
In Bhatpara municipality, 30 of the 35 councillors, including chairperson Reba Raha, resigned. In nearby Halisahar municipality, 16 of the 23 councillors stepped down. In the Kanchrapara municipality, 14 councillors resigned.
Bhatpara municipality's vice-chairperson Debajyoti Ghosh said he had "no alternative" but to step down. He alleged that employees were not being paid salaries, and the TMC leadership failed to offer any guidance or support. However, he underlined that he resigned without any external pressure.
CRISIS GRIPS KOLKATA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
The Trinamool-controlled Kolkata Municipal Corporation or KMC is also in disarray. The crisis deepened after the KMC sent demolition notices to 17 properties linked to TMC MP and Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee last week. A day later, the BJP released a list of 43 properties allegedly linked to Abhishek.
It brought into focus the role of Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, whose strained ties with Abhishek have surfaced publicly on several occasions in the past. It fuelled speculation that a rift was brewing within the party.
Mamata even let her displeasure be known to Hakim during a meeting and sought an explanation. However, the Kolkata mayor claimed he knew nothing about the notices and that they were issued without his knowledge.
Now, there is buzz that Hakim is considering stepping down as Kolkata mayor.
On May 22, Trinamool councillors, including the Mayor, were forced to hold the House session outside the main chamber. They alleged that the chamber remained locked despite directions from the chairperson. Hakim described the episode as a "serious insult" to elected representatives.
The spate of resignations has left municipal services in severe disarray. The crisis comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the monsoon expected to enter Bengal in the coming weeks. The paralysis across municipalities has raised concerns over drainage, sanitation, and emergency preparedness ahead of the rains.
The BJP government has already started appointing administrators where councillors have resigned or are incommunicado.
The crisis for the Trinamool is, however, not limited to the grassroots or local bodies.
TMC MP ATTENDS BJP MEET, MLAs SKIP PROTEST
The party's first major protest last week over bulldozer action and post-poll violence against the BJP government saw only 36 of the 80 MLAs turn up. The discontent within the party was now apparent. This was, however, not the only signal.
On Monday, Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned as the Barasat organisational district president. A day later, Dastidar, one of Mamata's oldest aides, attended an administrative meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Two TMC MLAs also joined the meeting.
It led to speculation that the Barasat MP and some MLAs might switch sides. In fact, Dastidar has been one of the sharpest critics of the party since the poll rout.
Earlier this month, the TMC replaced her with Kalyan Banerjee as the chief whip in the Lok Sabha. "Today, I have been rewarded for four decades of loyalty," Dastidar had tweeted.
In her resignation letter as the district president, Dastidar squarely blamed the move to hire political consultancy firm I-PAC as the key reason that "ruined" the party. "I do not think difficult work can be accomplished through fly-by-night agencies," she said.
She further raised concerns over recent alarming incidents of crime and corruption in Bengal. In a separate post on X, she sent a poignant message to Mamata, "Take charge, leader."
In another setback, the party is reportedly struggling to find a candidate for the upcoming Nandigram bypoll. According to a report in HT, two Trinamool leaders have refused to put their hats in the ring.
The crucial Nandigram seat was vacated by Suvendu Adhikari after he won from two constituencies in the elections. He retained Kolkata's Bhabanipur, where he defeated Mamata.
The back-to-back fast-paced events point to a looming crisis for the Trinamool. Not only has internal strife come out in the open, but the party is also losing out on grassroots leadership. Will Mamata take charge, as Dastidar said, and prevent the party from fading away? Only time will tell.
The once-formidable Trinamool Congress, led by the mercurial Mamata Banerjee, appears to be wilting after its crushing defeat in the Bengal elections. Senior leaders like Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar are openly voicing discontent, while unrest in Trinamool-controlled civic bodies has led to mass resignations. Nearly 100 councillors from different municipalities have resigned in the past few days. The political upheaval has opened a window for the BJP to expand its footprint in municipal bodies that remain largely under Trinamool's control.
The crisis has become so severe that several municipal boards could be dissolved even before civic polls are held next year. According to AajTak Bangla, speculation is rife that Mamata's close aide and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has expressed his desire to quit. Although Mamata recently urged councillors not to resign, signs of turmoil in Bengal's civic bodies are emerging almost daily.
It is undoubtedly the worst crisis Trinamool has faced since Mamata formed the party in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress. On previous occassions, Mamata acted as a cohesive force in keeping the flock together. But the circumstances are different now.
TRINAMOOL SEES MASS EXODUS
The wave of resignations started after the Suvendu Adhikari-led government clarified that the past activities of the local bodies would be scrutinised and, accordingly, action would be taken. In some municipalities, TMC councillors have stopped going to their offices altogether. The government has started appointing administrators in such bodies, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs (UDMA) minister Agnimitra Paul said.
A series of arrests of councillors linked to the TMC over alleged corruption and extortion activities has only added to the nervousness. Last week, three councillors were arrested over allegations of extortion and intimidation.
The mysterious death of influential South Dum Dum Trinamool councillor Sanjay Das on May 23 has added to the atmosphere of anxiety. Das, who was known to be close to Trinamool leader Debraj Chakraborty and faced allegations of corruption and extortion, was found hanging last week. A case of unnatural death has been registered.
In fact, Chakraborty, husband of former TMC MLA Aditi Munshi, is being probed by central agencies over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process carried out by the civic body. Former TMC minister Sujit Bose has already been arrested by the ED in the case.
Municipalities across North 24 Parganas and the adjoining industrial belt have been the hardest hit.
In Bhatpara municipality, 30 of the 35 councillors, including chairperson Reba Raha, resigned. In nearby Halisahar municipality, 16 of the 23 councillors stepped down. In the Kanchrapara municipality, 14 councillors resigned.
Bhatpara municipality's vice-chairperson Debajyoti Ghosh said he had "no alternative" but to step down. He alleged that employees were not being paid salaries, and the TMC leadership failed to offer any guidance or support. However, he underlined that he resigned without any external pressure.
CRISIS GRIPS KOLKATA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
The Trinamool-controlled Kolkata Municipal Corporation or KMC is also in disarray. The crisis deepened after the KMC sent demolition notices to 17 properties linked to TMC MP and Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee last week. A day later, the BJP released a list of 43 properties allegedly linked to Abhishek.
It brought into focus the role of Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, whose strained ties with Abhishek have surfaced publicly on several occasions in the past. It fuelled speculation that a rift was brewing within the party.
Mamata even let her displeasure be known to Hakim during a meeting and sought an explanation. However, the Kolkata mayor claimed he knew nothing about the notices and that they were issued without his knowledge.
Now, there is buzz that Hakim is considering stepping down as Kolkata mayor.
On May 22, Trinamool councillors, including the Mayor, were forced to hold the House session outside the main chamber. They alleged that the chamber remained locked despite directions from the chairperson. Hakim described the episode as a "serious insult" to elected representatives.
The spate of resignations has left municipal services in severe disarray. The crisis comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the monsoon expected to enter Bengal in the coming weeks. The paralysis across municipalities has raised concerns over drainage, sanitation, and emergency preparedness ahead of the rains.
The BJP government has already started appointing administrators where councillors have resigned or are incommunicado.
The crisis for the Trinamool is, however, not limited to the grassroots or local bodies.
TMC MP ATTENDS BJP MEET, MLAs SKIP PROTEST
The party's first major protest last week over bulldozer action and post-poll violence against the BJP government saw only 36 of the 80 MLAs turn up. The discontent within the party was now apparent. This was, however, not the only signal.
On Monday, Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned as the Barasat organisational district president. A day later, Dastidar, one of Mamata's oldest aides, attended an administrative meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Two TMC MLAs also joined the meeting.
It led to speculation that the Barasat MP and some MLAs might switch sides. In fact, Dastidar has been one of the sharpest critics of the party since the poll rout.
Earlier this month, the TMC replaced her with Kalyan Banerjee as the chief whip in the Lok Sabha. "Today, I have been rewarded for four decades of loyalty," Dastidar had tweeted.
In her resignation letter as the district president, Dastidar squarely blamed the move to hire political consultancy firm I-PAC as the key reason that "ruined" the party. "I do not think difficult work can be accomplished through fly-by-night agencies," she said.
She further raised concerns over recent alarming incidents of crime and corruption in Bengal. In a separate post on X, she sent a poignant message to Mamata, "Take charge, leader."
In another setback, the party is reportedly struggling to find a candidate for the upcoming Nandigram bypoll. According to a report in HT, two Trinamool leaders have refused to put their hats in the ring.
The crucial Nandigram seat was vacated by Suvendu Adhikari after he won from two constituencies in the elections. He retained Kolkata's Bhabanipur, where he defeated Mamata.
The back-to-back fast-paced events point to a looming crisis for the Trinamool. Not only has internal strife come out in the open, but the party is also losing out on grassroots leadership. Will Mamata take charge, as Dastidar said, and prevent the party from fading away? Only time will tell.
