In a significant political development, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has announced her resignation from all organizational positions within the party. The four-time MP from Barasat, who has long been considered a close confidante of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, made the announcement just hours after attending a crucial administrative meeting chaired by Banerjee.
Resignation Follows Leadership Shift
Ghosh Dastidar's resignation from all party organizational posts, including her role as Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, comes days after she also stepped down as the party's Barasat district president. Her letter explicitly stated, "But with great sadness and concern, I am requesting to resign from the post of Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, as well as from other organisational posts, committees and responsibilities of the party."
Citing 'Indecent Behaviour' and Corruption
The MP's departure signals fresh internal turbulence for the TMC. In her resignation letter, Ghosh Dastidar took a direct swipe at Kalyan Banerjee, who recently replaced her as the party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha. She wrote, "It is not meaningful to hold a position where the indecent behaviour of another uneducated, rude party MP towards a woman MP cannot be stopped, or the cooperation and sympathy of the senior leadership cannot be obtained."
Beyond personal grievances, Ghosh Dastidar also voiced deep-seated concerns regarding corruption and administrative lapses within the state. "My conscience is deeply stirred today. Several financial and administrative irregularities, including ration corruption and teacher recruitment corruption, have given rise to deep anger and distrust in the minds of the common people," she stated.
She further highlighted the controversy surrounding the death of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College, adding, "In addition, the tragic death of PGT Doctor Abhaya at R.G. Kar Medical College and the allegations of a possible cover-up surrounding that incident have pained and shocked the entire society. I have personally felt the moral impact of all these incidents deeply."
A Long-Standing Loyalty and Future Implications
Ghosh Dastidar’s social media post, made shortly after news of the parliamentary reshuffle emerged, hinted at her disillusionment. "I have known Mamata Banerjee since 1976 and have been working together since 1984. Today, I got the prize for my four-decade-long loyalty," she wrote on X. Despite resigning from all organizational duties, she has clarified that she will remain a Member of Parliament and a member of the Trinamool Congress party.
Her resignation is expected to create significant ripples within the Trinamool Congress, particularly in North 24 Parganas, where she commanded considerable organizational influence and maintained strong connections with party workers. Ghosh Dastidar has also been a prominent voice for the TMC in Parliament, frequently challenging the BJP-led central government.