Veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra has parted ways with the faction led by Mamata Banerjee, bringing to an end a political association that lasted for more than three decades in what is being seen as one of the biggest setbacks for the former West Bengal chief minister in recent weeks.
A key figure in the Trinamool Congress since its formative years in the late 1990s and long considered one of Mamata Banerjee's closest confidants, Mitra announced that he would now align himself with the rival faction headed by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.
The announcement came a day after the Enforcement Directorate served notices to members of his family as part of its investigation into the school recruitment scam.
Although Mitra said he still considers himself a member of the Trinamool Congress, he stepped down from organisational responsibilities under the Mamata Banerjee-led faction and shifted his support to the rebel camp.
His departure adds to the mounting challenges facing Mamata Banerjee's faction, which has been dealing with internal divisions since the party's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.
Mitra joined forces with Mamata Banerjee during her emergence as a leading anti-Left political figure and remained one of her most trusted associates through several electoral battles. Over the years, he served as a minister in the Trinamool government and was widely regarded as a member of Banerjee's inner circle, often defending the party during politically turbulent periods.
His exit reflects the deepening organisational crisis within the party. Other senior leaders from the Trinamool's old guard who have also distanced themselves from Mamata Banerjee include Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Chandrima Banerjee and Firhad Hakim, among several others.
Even as prominent leaders have left, Mamata Banerjee continues to enjoy the backing of several senior figures in her faction. These include her nephew and the party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, whom she has publicly supported despite criticism from within the party, as well as parliamentarians Kalyan Banerjee, Derek O'Brien, Mahua Moitra, Dola Sen, Pratima Mondal and Sougata Roy.
Kalyan Banerjee has been representing Mamata Banerjee's faction in proceedings before the High Court, while Derek O'Brien, Mahua Moitra and Dola Sen have been appearing before the Election Commission during the ongoing dispute involving rebel MPs and MLAs.
Addressing the growing dissent within the party, Mamata Banerjee recently reaffirmed her confidence in Abhishek Banerjee, saying he had "done no wrong" and would continue to play a central role in the organisation despite accusations from some leaders that his leadership contributed to the party's decline and poor performance against the BJP in West Bengal.
The faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, a former Left leader, has continued to attract support in recent weeks, with several legislators and former Members of Parliament moving away from the Mamata Banerjee-led organisation.
Mitra is among the most prominent leaders to join the rebel camp. According to sources, the group claims it now enjoys the support of a significant number of the party's legislators, although the exact strength remains disputed amid continuing legal and organisational battles.
Several long-time associates of Mamata Banerjee, including Chandrima Bhattacharya, Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas and Anubrata Mondal—leaders who occupied key ministerial positions when the Trinamool was in power and were once considered part of her core team—have also distanced themselves from her.
Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 20 of the Trinamool Congress' 28 Lok Sabha MPs merged with a little-known political outfit and declared their support for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The group of MPs led by Sudip Bandopadhyay and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has also been allotted separate seating arrangements in Parliament.
Despite the series of defections, Mamata Banerjee has said she is determined to rebuild the Trinamool Congress by promoting younger leaders and fresh faces as several of her long-time colleagues chart a different political course.
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