Kolkata: In a major political setback for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior party leader and MLA Madan Mitra resigned from the party on Wednesday and joined the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee, exposing widening cracks within the ruling party ahead of key political battles.
Announcing his decision, Mitra said he was resigning from all party positions while continuing to serve as an MLA. He attributed his exit to growing dissatisfaction with the party’s internal functioning and leadership.
Launching a sharp attack on the party leadership, Mitra claimed he had advised Abhishek Banerjee to step aside for six months to a year to allow the organisation to regroup and regain public confidence. According to Mitra, the suggestion was rejected.
“The party is sinking. The boat has already gone under. People are suffering, but it seems saving one individual at all costs has become the priority,” Mitra said. He further alleged that the party now functions for the benefit of a single leader despite belonging to its workers and supporters.
Addressing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Mitra urged her to adopt a broader political perspective. “I request Supremo Mamata Banerjee to see this as a marathon. Our paths will cross again, and time will decide who moves ahead,” he remarked.
The political development comes amid an ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into an alleged municipal recruitment scam. The agency has summoned Mitra’s wife and two sons for questioning next week after financial transactions involving family members reportedly surfaced during the probe. The ED has also conducted searches at properties linked to Mitra and stated that the investigation is continuing, with no conclusions drawn at this stage.
Madan Mitra’s departure and alignment with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction could reshape West Bengal’s political landscape, posing fresh challenges for the TMC as it confronts internal dissent and prepares for upcoming electoral contests.
