In a significant development in West Bengal’s political landscape, senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Chandrima Bhattacharya on Saturday has stepped down as the party’s state president, intensifying speculation over the deepening internal crisis within the Bengal’s erstwhile ruling party.
Bhattacharya’s resignation comes in the aftermath of the party’s poor performance in the recent Assembly elections and a series of organisational changes initiated by party chief Mamata Banerjee. She had been appointed to the post following a reshuffle that replaced Subrata Bakshi, as part of efforts to stabilise the party structure.
Until Friday afternoon, Bhattacharya, who was the finance minister in Mamata’s cabinet, had been actively discharging her responsibilities, regularly visiting the Trinamool Bhavan on EM Bypass. However, she announced her decision to relinquish the position on Saturday, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership dynamics.
The resignation follows a broader attempt by Mamata to regain control after the electoral setback. The party leadership had dissolved all existing committees and initiated a comprehensive organisational overhaul. A new structure was finalised during a National Working Committee meeting held at Kalighat on June 5, where Bhattacharya was appointed state president, while the powers of TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee were reportedly curtailed.
Despite these measures, internal divisions within the party have continued to widen. Factions led by Ritabrata Banerjee in the Assembly and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar in the Lok Sabha have broken away from the main organisation. Several MPs, including Kakoli, have aligned with the Tripura-based NCPI, while the Ritabrata faction has approached the Election Commission of India, claiming to represent the “real” Trinamool Congress.
The Election Commission has since asked both factions to submit their positions, with a deadline set for early next week. Meanwhile, tensions escalated in Kolkata on Friday when members of the rebel faction, including Firhad Hakim, visited the Trinamool Bhavan shortly after returning from Delhi. After spending some time inside, they reportedly locked the premises before leaving.
The incident prompted a strong reaction from the party’s Kalighat leadership, which subsequently lodged a police complaint against the individuals involved.
Since the election setback, a steady stream of leaders, MLAs, and MPs have distanced themselves from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction. While some have joined the group aligned with Kakoli, others in the Assembly appear to be gravitating towards the Ritabrata camp.
Bhattacharya’s resignation has further fuelled speculation about the future course of the party. Political observers say it remains to be seen whether she will align with any of the emerging factions or signal a new phase in the ongoing fragmentation of the TMC.
Also read: Rebel camp seizes Trinamool Bhavan amid escalating power struggle
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