(Image source from: PTI)
The defeat of Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has caused some members of the party to challenge the main leaders, including former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Some party workers and spokespersons are unhappy, resulting in dismissals. On Saturday, the TMC gave a six-year suspension to three spokespersons for making anti-party comments after the party's loss in the West Bengal Assembly elections. This move is not expected to change the party's unity or reputation, as those who are unhappy may still express their views, especially since the party is no longer in control.
TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta, who frequently spoke for the party on discussion panels, shared a video on his X handle apologizing to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP officials for previous "abusive" comments. He stated that he was under great pressure and threats from within the TMC to say those things when Adhikari held the position of Leader of Opposition. Dutta also acknowledged the support and safety he received from the BJP. The TMC requested Dutta to join a disciplinary hearing, but he did not attend.
Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary also criticized the TMC, alleging that each candidate was asked to pay Rs 5 crore for a party ticket in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, a request he refused. Tiwary, who served as the Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs in Mamata Banerjee's Cabinet, said that senior minister Aroop Biswas did not understand sports well. Biswas faced backlash for his actions during Lionel Messi's visit to the city last year, which ended in chaos when the famous footballer left due to poor organization.
The TMC has also suspended spokespersons Kohinoor Majumdar and Kartik Ghosh for reportedly breaking party rules. Kohinoor Majumdar mentioned to the media that "Party leaders had to wait for hours to meet Abhishek Banerjee. " A senior TMC figure from Malda, where the party did not perform well, also blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the loss. Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury criticized his way of working, the lack of accessibility, and how he treated senior leaders as possible reasons for the party’s failure. Papiya Ghosh also publicly criticized the party leadership and is facing consequences. Ghosh is the daughter of senior Cooch Behar TMC leader Rabindranath Ghosh, who has also openly criticized Abhishek Banerjee. Party officials Derek O'Brien and Chandrima Bhattacharya have chosen not to comment on this situation.
