Ghosh switches allegiance to rebel faction
Veteran Trinamool Congress leader and former North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh on Sunday joined the rebel faction led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, severing ties with the Mamata Banerjee-led camp. The move marks a significant political shift in Cooch Behar and deepens the party's internal rift.
Ghosh, a former TMC district president for over two decades and a long-time associate of Mamata Banerjee, is likely to be named the party's Cooch Behar district president by the rebels. His defection comes less than 24 hours after the rebel camp unveiled parallel state and district committees, drawing several longtime loyalists, including former Birbhum strongman Anubrata Mondal.
Blames Abhishek Banerjee and I-PAC for poll defeat
Ghosh strongly criticized Abhishek Banerjee and the political consultancy firm I-PAC, stating that the TMC's setback in the assembly polls was largely due to their influence. “From what I have figured after speaking to many party leaders is that Mamata Banerjee needs to remove Abhishek from the domain of active politics, at least for the time being. I believe that would make the dissident leaders and workers return to her,” Ghosh told reporters.
He added, “There’s no denying that Abhishek’s whims and fancies -- over 80 sitting MLAs and ministers were denied poll tickets and many others removed from their organisational positions, had a severe impact on the party.” Ghosh questioned whether Mamata Banerjee retained effective control over the party, saying, “Does Didi really have power in her hands anymore? Power has become concentrated elsewhere and incompetent people were given crucial responsibilities. Even if Mamata Banerjee wanted to, she could not do many things.”
Criticism of I-PAC and leadership
Asked about the party's split and electoral defeat, Ghosh said, “He lacks political experience. He did not emerge through any political movement. And what was I-PAC? It’s a bunch of youngsters telling us what to do.” He contrasted his own background, saying, “We came up through political struggles and years of hard work. There was no I-PAC in 2011 or 2016. Suddenly they became indispensable. In the end, they destroyed the party and walked away.”
On why he switched camps instead of raising concerns directly with Mamata Banerjee, Ghosh maintained that there is only one Trinamool Congress and no factions. “We have to be where the majority is. MLAs and leaders from North Bengal have all come together in one place. I have taken this decision to stand by the party workers,” he said. He added, “Unfit people were given responsibility. They have been accused of corruption. Now, they have gone into hiding. Ordinary party workers are facing repression. We have to stand by them.”
BJP reacts to TMC infighting
Responding to the development, BJP leader and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said it didn’t matter which camp of the TMC is benefiting from its internal rebellion. “The TMC is divided into two boats, both of which are sinking. It is their leaders’ personal choice as to which sinking boat they want to board. But, there is no doubt that the boats will sink and they will drown with those,” he asserted.
Rebel faction's organizational moves
On Saturday, the Ritabrata-led dissidents announced appointments after a two-day working committee meeting in Kolkata. The faction removed Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson last month, elected senior MLA Arup Roy to the post, constituted a parallel working committee, and approached the Election Commission seeking recognition as the “real” Trinamool Congress. Former Birbhum strongman Anubrata Mondal was appointed president of the rebel faction’s Birbhum unit, marking a symbolically significant crossover. The faction also unveiled its first state-wide organizational team, with former Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen as principal spokesperson and several former ministers and MLAs given district responsibilities.
