KOLKATA — A senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader who recently defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has proposed a dramatic solution to the party’s escalating internal crisis: the temporary removal of Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew. Rabindranath Ghosh, a former TMC minister and current MLA from Cooch Behar, claimed that several disillusioned leaders who have left the party in recent months could return if Mamata Banerjee took a firm stand against her nephew’s growing influence.
Ghosh’s remarks, made in an interview with Hindustan Times, have intensified the debate over Abhishek Banerjee’s role in the TMC’s leadership structure. The party, which has long been dominated by Mamata Banerjee’s personality-driven politics, is now grappling with a wave of high-profile defections that threaten its electoral prospects in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. Ghosh’s proposal, while controversial, underscores the deepening fault lines within the TMC and the growing perception that Abhishek Banerjee’s ascendancy has alienated senior leaders.
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What Happened
Rabindranath Ghosh, who was suspended from the TMC last month and subsequently joined the BJP, told Hindustan Times that the TMC’s internal fractures could be healed if Mamata Banerjee distanced herself from Abhishek Banerjee, at least temporarily. “If Didi [Mamata Banerjee] takes a firm decision to keep Abhishek away, at least for the time being, many leaders who have left the party could return,” Ghosh said. He argued that Abhishek’s dominance had created a sense of disenfranchisement among senior leaders, leading to a spate of defections that have weakened the party’s organizational strength.
Ghosh’s comments come at a time when the TMC is facing one of its most significant leadership challenges in years. The party has seen a steady stream of high-profile exits since 2020, including former ministers and MPs who have either joined the BJP or floated new political outfits. Among the most notable defectors is Suvendu Adhikari, who left the TMC in 2020 and is now the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly. Others, such as Rajib Banerjee and Pardeep Tamang, have also switched allegiances, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership dynamics.
Abhishek Banerjee, who is widely regarded as Mamata Banerjee’s political heir, has played a central role in the TMC’s organizational strategy over the past few years. As the party’s national general secretary, he has been instrumental in shaping its electoral machinery, particularly in the lead-up to the 2021 assembly elections, where the TMC secured a decisive victory despite a strong challenge from the BJP. However, his rapid rise has also fueled resentment among senior leaders, who accuse him of centralizing power and sidelining veteran voices within the party.
The TMC has dismissed Ghosh’s claims as politically motivated. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh (no relation to Rabindranath Ghosh) described the remarks as an attempt to “create confusion” ahead of the 2026 elections. “Rabindranath Ghosh is no longer a part of the TMC, and his statements reflect his personal frustration,” Kunal Ghosh said. “The party is united under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, and we are focused on serving the people of Bengal.”
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Why It Matters
The TMC’s internal turmoil has significant implications for West Bengal’s political landscape, particularly as the state gears up for the 2026 assembly elections. The party has long relied on Mamata Banerjee’s charismatic leadership to maintain its dominance in the state, but the recent wave of defections has raised questions about its ability to retain its electoral base. The BJP, which made substantial gains in the 2021 elections, is likely to exploit the TMC’s internal divisions to its advantage, framing the defections as evidence of a party in disarray.
Abhishek Banerjee’s role in the TMC’s leadership structure has become a flashpoint in this crisis. While his supporters credit him with modernizing the party’s organizational apparatus and expanding its reach beyond West Bengal, critics argue that his leadership style has alienated senior leaders and created a culture of favoritism. The perception that Abhishek is being groomed as Mamata Banerjee’s successor has further deepened the rifts within the party, with some leaders questioning whether the TMC can survive without its long-time supremo at the helm.
The 2026 elections will be a critical test for the TMC, which has governed West Bengal since 2011. The party’s ability to manage its internal dissent and present a united front will be key to its electoral prospects. If Mamata Banerjee were to act on Rabindranath Ghosh’s suggestion and distance herself from Abhishek, it could signal a strategic retreat aimed at stabilizing the party. However, such a move would also risk undermining Abhishek’s authority, which could have long-term consequences for the TMC’s leadership succession.
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Background and Context
The TMC’s current crisis is rooted in the party’s evolution over the past decade. Founded in 1998 by Mamata Banerjee after she broke away from the Indian National Congress, the TMC has grown into one of India’s most formidable regional parties, with a strong presence in West Bengal and influence in national politics. Mamata Banerjee’s leadership has been the party’s defining feature, with her populist rhetoric and grassroots appeal helping the TMC secure decisive victories in multiple assembly elections.
However, the party’s reliance on Mamata Banerjee’s personality has also made it vulnerable to leadership transitions. The question of who will succeed her has loomed large over the TMC for years, with Abhishek Banerjee emerging as the most prominent contender. His rapid rise within the party has been marked by a series of high-profile appointments, including his role as the party’s national general secretary and his leadership of the TMC’s youth wing. Abhishek’s influence has grown significantly since the 2021 elections, where he played a key role in the party’s campaign strategy.
The TMC’s internal dynamics have been further complicated by the rise of the BJP in West Bengal. The saffron party’s aggressive expansion in the state, particularly during the 2019 general elections and the 2021 assembly polls, has posed a serious challenge to the TMC’s dominance. The BJP’s strategy of wooing disgruntled TMC leaders has paid dividends, with several high-profile defectors joining the party and strengthening its organizational base in the state. The TMC’s response to this challenge has been to tighten its grip on the party apparatus, a move that has further alienated senior leaders who feel sidelined.
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Competing Claims and Uncertainty
Rabindranath Ghosh’s proposal to remove Abhishek Banerjee has sparked a debate within the TMC about the party’s future direction. While Ghosh’s claims have been dismissed by the party leadership as politically motivated, they have resonated with a section of the TMC’s rank and file, particularly among leaders who feel marginalized by Abhishek’s rise. The question of whether Mamata Banerjee will act on these concerns remains uncertain, with some analysts suggesting that she may adopt a wait-and-watch approach ahead of the 2026 elections.
The TMC’s official stance is that the party remains united under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. However, the recent spate of defections has raised doubts about the party’s cohesion. Suvendu Adhikari, who defected to the BJP in 2020, has been a vocal critic of Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership, accusing him of centralizing power and undermining the party’s democratic processes. Adhikari’s defection was a significant blow to the TMC, as he was considered one of the party’s most influential leaders in West Bengal’s southern districts.
Other defectors, such as Rajib Banerjee and Pardeep Tamang, have echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the TMC’s leadership has become increasingly autocratic under Abhishek’s influence. These claims have been bolstered by reports of internal dissent within the party, with some leaders privately expressing frustration over their diminishing roles in the TMC’s decision-making processes.
However, Abhishek Banerjee’s supporters argue that his leadership has been crucial to the TMC’s electoral success. They point to his role in the party’s victory in the 2021 assembly elections, where the TMC secured 213 out of 294 seats, as evidence of his effectiveness as a leader. They also argue that the recent defections are a result of the BJP’s efforts to destabilize the TMC rather than a reflection of internal dissatisfaction.
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What to Watch Next
The coming months will be critical for the TMC as it prepares for the 2026 assembly elections. Several key developments could shape the party’s trajectory in the lead-up to the polls:
1. Mamata Banerjee’s Response: The TMC supremo’s reaction to Rabindranath Ghosh’s proposal will be closely watched. If she signals a willingness to distance herself from Abhishek Banerjee, it could pave the way for the return of disillusioned leaders. However, if she reaffirms her support for her nephew, it could further alienate senior leaders and deepen the party’s internal divisions.
2. More Defections: The TMC’s ability to stem the tide of defections will be crucial to its electoral prospects. If more senior leaders follow Rabindranath Ghosh’s lead and join the BJP or other opposition parties, it could significantly weaken the TMC’s organizational strength.
3. BJP’s Strategy: The BJP is likely to continue its efforts to woo disgruntled TMC leaders ahead of the 2026 elections. The saffron party’s success in this endeavor will depend on its ability to present itself as a viable alternative to the TMC, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where the TMC has traditionally been strong.
4. Abhishek Banerjee’s Role: Abhishek’s future within the TMC will be a key factor in the party’s stability. If he continues to consolidate his position, it could further alienate senior leaders. However, if he is sidelined, it could create a leadership vacuum that the TMC may struggle to fill.
5. Electoral Alliances: The TMC’s ability to forge alliances with other opposition parties could also play a role in its electoral prospects. The party has traditionally relied on its own organizational strength to win elections, but the growing challenge from the BJP may force it to explore new partnerships.
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Conclusion
The TMC’s internal crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of a party that has long been dominated by Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. Rabindranath Ghosh’s proposal to remove Abhishek Banerjee, while controversial, has highlighted the growing discontent within the party and the challenges it faces in managing its leadership transition. As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, the TMC’s ability to navigate these internal divisions will be critical to its electoral prospects.
For now, the party appears to be betting on Mamata Banerjee’s enduring popularity to hold it together. However, the recent wave of defections and the growing perception of Abhishek Banerjee’s dominance suggest that the TMC’s leadership crisis is far from over. Whether Mamata Banerjee will take steps to address these concerns or double down on her support for her nephew remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the TMC’s internal dynamics will play a decisive role in shaping the political future of West Bengal.
Story synopsis gathered
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source.
