Kolkata: Trinamool heavyweight and former minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who is out on bail in the ration scam case, wrote to Mamata Banerjee on Friday to resign from the party's national working committee (NWC) citing health reasons. Mallick told TOI that he was severing his ties with TMC but would not join any other party.
Longtime Association with Mamata
Mallick, 68, a key Mamata aide whom she affectionately calls Balu, was not part of TMC when it was formed in 1998 but has been working with the former chief minister since 1978 when both were involved in student politics. Despite a spate of defections, even by close confidants, Mamata kept faith in Balu after the May 4 poll drubbing, drafting him into TMC's highest decision-making body, the NWC.
Health Deterioration
“Mamata Banerjee knows that my health condition has been very bad for the past few years. It has deteriorated to the point where my blood sugar level has gone up to 350. Both my kidneys are almost failing. I don’t know if I will even live for another two years. I can’t even walk properly. In such a scenario, I don’t think I am fit to be part of any working committee of the party or hold the various posts that were given to me. I have resigned from them all. I am resigning from TMC and have informed the party chief that I will not be able to participate in any party work,” Mallick said.
“My relationship with Mamata Banerjee dates back to 1978. But the Balu I was in 1978 is not the same in 2026. With such ailing health, there is no point in clinging on to a party post,” he added, reiterating that he will not join any other party.
Rebellion in TMC Ranks
Speaking about the rebellion within TMC, he said: “That is their personal opinion. They are people of my age as well. They are independent-minded individuals. They felt they understood something and believed it was the right thing to do.”
Legal Troubles and Party Support
Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 27, 2023, in connection with the ration scam. After a prolonged period of detention, a special PMLA court in Kolkata granted him bail on January 15, 2025, leading to his release from prison. Even after his arrest, Banerjee publicly stood by Mallick, repeatedly claiming that he had been falsely implicated.
During the assembly poll campaign, Banerjee praised Mallick's performance as a minister. Despite the corruption allegations and imprisonment, the TMC leadership fielded him as a candidate from his own constituency of Habra in North 24 Parganas, although he was unsuccessful in retaining his seat.
BJP's Reaction
BJP state spokesperson Debjit Sarkar took a swipe at the former minister and TMC, saying: “Trinamool as a party hardly exists anymore. From what exactly has the former minister resigned? Those who have been involved in corruption and other illegal activities will have to face the consequences of their actions. A resignation drama will not change that.”
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