Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has conducted a significant organizational reshuffle to maintain party unity following a series of internal crises, including electoral defeat, rebellion among newly elected legislators, and growing dissent among MPs. The changes, announced after a national executive committee meeting, saw the return of trusted and veteran leaders.
Despite widespread criticism, Banerjee retained her nephew Abhishek Banerjee as the party's All India General Secretary but appointed Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen as joint national secretaries to assist him. This move signals a shift towards collective decision-making, reducing Abhishek's unilateral authority.
The meeting, held at Banerjee's residence in Kalighat, Kolkata, saw limited attendance, reflecting ongoing tensions. Notably, Firhad Hakim, a long-time ally and Kolkata Mayor, resigned hours before being excluded from the new leadership list, sparking speculation about his relationship with the party leadership.
The TMC also dissolved all committees and branch organizations, announcing a comprehensive review process at every level. Key changes included the appointment of Chandrima Bhattacharya as the new West Bengal state committee president, replacing Subrata Bakshi, who was made co-chairman of the national executive committee.
The reshuffle comes after comments by Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, who warned of potential defections in the Lok Sabha, similar to the mass exodus of MLAs. Senior TMC MP also expressed concerns about a looming split within the parliamentary party, with reports of MPs contacting the BJP.
