Fresh jolt for TMC as Bengal chief Chandrima Bhattacharya quits all party posts

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Chandrima Bhattacharya on Saturday resigned as the party's West Bengal president, barely a month after being appointed to the key organisational post following the party's disappointing performance in the 2026 Assembly elections.

In a letter to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Bhattacharya stepped down not only as the party's state president but also from all other organisational responsibilities she held, fuelling speculation over her future in the party.

She also relinquished her role as the authorised signatory for the party's bank accounts and withdrew as Mamata Banerjee's authorised representative before the Election Commission, signalling a complete exit from her organisational responsibilities.

Appointed after poll setback

Bhattacharya was appointed West Bengal TMC president on June 5 during the party's national working committee meeting at Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence. She had replaced veteran leader Subrata Bakshi as part of an organisational reshuffle after the party's Assembly election defeat.

A senior TMC leader and former minister in the Mamata Banerjee government, Bhattacharya previously handled key portfolios, including Finance and Health as Minister of State. She also led the party's women's wing and was considered one of its prominent faces.

Resignation follows electoral defeat

The resignation comes weeks after Bhattacharya lost the Dum Dum Uttar Assembly seat to BJP's Sourav Sikdar in the 2026 West Bengal elections. A three-time MLA, she had been entrusted with reviving the party's state organisation despite her electoral setback.

The Trinamool Congress has not yet issued an official statement on her resignation or announced who will take charge of the state unit.

(Inputs from PTI)