Signs of an internal rift within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appear to be deepening, with fresh tensions now surfacing within the party’s parliamentary wing in Delhi. Speculation has intensified in recent days following sharp remarks by Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who has openly held party supremo Mamata Banerjee responsible for the party’s recent electoral setbacks.
In a strongly worded social media post, the Barasat MP claimed that the public mandate reflected a rejection of the previous government’s policies. “This verdict from the people is actually against the policies and the failure of the government,” she wrote, directly contradicting the party leadership’s narrative.
The remarks come days after Mamata, during a sit-in demonstration at Y-Channel in Dharmatala on June 2, launched a veiled attack on Kakoli without naming her. The Chief Minister alleged that the dissenting statements were driven by personal grievances, claiming that the MP was unhappy over her son not being given an Assembly election ticket.
Kakoli, however, hit back on Friday, rejecting the allegation and underscoring her long-standing political association with Mamata. “Do you think an MP of 4 terms from a political family , having been with @MamataOfficial , fighting autocracy for 4 decades thinks of self ? It is verdict against policy and failure of governance,” she wrote, asserting that her criticism stemmed from concern over governance rather than personal interest.
Adding a literary touch to her message, Kakoli quoted lines from Scottish poet Charles Mackay, suggesting that those engaged in meaningful work inevitably attract opposition— a remark widely interpreted as a subtle commentary on her current political situation.
The controversy follows her recent removal as Chief Whip of the Trinamool parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, a position she had held until she was replaced by Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee. Shortly after her removal, Kakoli had expressed her disappointment online, writing that her four decades of loyalty had been “rewarded” in this manner.
Political observers note that Kakoli’s subsequent actions have further fueled speculation. Her presence at an administrative meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kalyani and the recent decision by the Union Home Ministry to grant her central security cover have led to conjecture about her possible political realignment.
The developments come at a time when internal discord is already visible within the party’s legislative wing in the Assembly. A section of Trinamool MLAs opposed the leadership’s decisions, with 58 legislators writing to the Speaker seeking an alternative choice for the Leader of the Opposition.
Attention has now shifted to the party’s parliamentary wing in the Lok Sabha, where Abhishek Banerjee currently serves as the leader. Reports suggest that some members are dissatisfied with his leadership, raising questions over whether a similar split could emerge at the national level.
Also read: TMC's Firhad Hakim resigns as Kolkata mayor
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