Veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former minister Partha Chatterjee has leveled serious allegations against former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming she ignored corruption within the party. In an exclusive interview, Chatterjee also criticized Mamata's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, attributing the party's poor performance in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections to both leaders.
Chatterjee's Explosive Claims
Chatterjee stated, "Mamata Banerjee overlooked all corruption. And both Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee are responsible for such a result." He further asserted that the TMC high command had become "detached from the masses" and struggled to accept the people's verdict following the May 4 election results.
Regarding Abhishek Banerjee, Chatterjee commented on his attempts to alter the TMC's political culture. He specifically highlighted Abhishek's aggressive stance against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the campaign, calling it "derogatory" and out of line with Bengal's political traditions. Chatterjee lamented that the party did not intervene to stop such behavior.
The former minister also accused Mamata Banerjee of grooming Abhishek for leadership within the party, suggesting that the TMC should not serve as a personal training ground. "One cannot become a leader in a single day. He should come through the struggle by enjoying the trust and confidence of the people," Chatterjee remarked.
Internal Strife and Resignations
These allegations emerge amidst significant internal turmoil within the TMC. Following the 2026 assembly poll defeat, nearly 100 councillors have reportedly resigned or distanced themselves from the party. The rise of Abhishek Banerjee, who was appointed national general secretary in June 2021 and is currently the party's leader in the Lok Sabha, has been a source of contention for many senior leaders since his induction in 2011.
Adding to the party's woes, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned from all organizational posts, including Barasat district president. Her resignation letter cited "criminalisation" within the party and raised concerns about the alleged influence of I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) on TMC operations. She expressed distress over "opaque and undemocratic influences" dominating the organization over a democratic political culture.
The current climate of dissent also sees several TMC MLAs and MPs attending meetings chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, fueling speculation of potential defections and further weakening the party's position, particularly within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.