KOLKATA, India – The Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has faced another significant setback with former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Santanu Sen resigning from his position as the party’s national spokesperson. Sen cited pervasive corruption allegations and mounting public anger as his reasons for stepping down, stating he could no longer publicly defend the party.
In his resignation letter, addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Dr. Sen articulated his discomfort with the current political climate. He highlighted several high-profile controversies, including the RG Kar case, the Abhaya case, and cash-for-job corruption scandals, which he believes have led to the people of Bengal rejecting the party.
Sen Cites Public Rejection Over Corruption
Dr. Sen, a prominent figure who often represented the TMC in media debates, expressed that while he had previously defended the party through various difficult periods, his conscience now prevents him from continuing in a spokesperson role. “In the current situation, when the people of Bengal have rejected us for various immoral acts and corruption… my mind no longer agrees to support them as a spokesperson in any way,” Sen wrote.
He emphasized that his decision was made “taking the verdict of the people into consideration,” underscoring the depth of public dissatisfaction he perceives.
Wave of Resignations Hits TMC
Sen’s resignation comes just a day after another high-profile departure from the party’s organizational structure. Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a four-time MP from Barasat, also stepped down from all her organizational posts within the TMC. Dastidar’s resignation followed her attendance at an administrative review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, reportedly against party directives.
These back-to-back resignations have intensified scrutiny on the internal dynamics of the ruling party in West Bengal. They highlight growing unease among leaders following recent electoral setbacks and the continuous stream of corruption allegations that have plagued the TMC. The departures signal a period of significant challenge and introspection for the Trinamool Congress as it navigates internal dissent and public mistrust.