In a major setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior party leader and former minister Madan Mitra has resigned from all organisational posts and joined the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, marking one of the biggest defections in the party's ongoing internal crisis.
A long-time confidant of Mamata Banerjee, Mitra announced his decision amid growing unrest within the party. Speaking after joining the rebel camp, he described the TMC as a "fragmented" organisation and said his move was aimed at supporting efforts to rebuild the party's original ideals.
Despite switching camps, Mitra maintained that he has "only changed rooms" and continues to consider himself a member of the Trinamool Congress, signalling that the battle is over the party's leadership and direction rather than its identity.
Reports suggest the decision follows mounting dissatisfaction within the party, with Mitra reportedly unhappy over the current leadership structure and the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee. His exit is expected to deepen the political crisis engulfing the TMC, which has witnessed a series of high-profile defections in recent weeks.
Mitra's departure comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate reportedly issued summons to his wife and sons, adding another layer of political speculation around the timing of his move. However, the veteran leader has publicly framed his decision as a political one rather than a response to the investigations.
The latest development is likely to intensify factional politics in West Bengal, with the rebel camp seeking to consolidate support from more TMC leaders. Political observers believe Mitra's exit could encourage further defections, posing a fresh challenge to Mamata Banerjee's efforts to maintain unity within the party.
