'Haven for anti-social elements': TMC's Madan Mitra hints at leaving politics after 30 years

Kolkata: Rebel Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra on Thursday expressed disillusionment with the state of politics, saying it had increasingly become a haven for anti-social elements and hinting that he was contemplating a gradual withdrawal from active politics.

Mitra, a politician for nearly three decades and now with the Ritabrata Banerjee faction of the TMC, said his "hatred for politics" is increasing every single day.

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"Politics has become the last resort of people, though not everyone. It has become a dumping ground for anti-social elements," Mitra said, voicing frustration over what he described as the growing degeneration of political life.

"I am personally taking a decision, or trying to take a decision, about how gradually I can withdraw from politics. Because with every passing day, nothing except my hatred for politics is increasing," he said.

Mitra's remarks come days before the October 6 assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar and amid a split within the TMC, with the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee challenging the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.

Mitra, once counted among Banerjee's trusted lieutenants and one of the prominent faces of the TMC since its early years, joined the rebel camp earlier this year after resigning from organisational positions in the party. He, however, remained an MLA.

The Kamarhati legislator retained his seat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the TMC suffered a major setback. His continued presence in the rebel camp has since added weight to the faction's challenge to the Mamata Banerjee-led organisation.

Earlier this month, Mitra had challenged Mamata to contest the Nandigram bypoll, promising not to field a candidate against her. This underlined how far his relationship with his former political mentor has changed.

His latest comments, however, appeared to go beyond his differences with the TMC leadership and were framed as a broader indictment of the political system.

Mitra's expression of "detachment" is not entirely unprecedented. He has on earlier occasions spoken about stepping away from politics, only to remain active in the political arena.

His latest remarks have consequently triggered speculation over whether he is seriously considering retirement or expressing his frustration with the present political climate.

The veteran politician has had a long and eventful career. He joined Mamata when she founded the TMC in 1998 and subsequently became one of the party's prominent organisational figures. The Kamarhati MLA served as a sports and transport minister in the first Banerjee government. He had to resign in 2014 after he was arrested by CBI in the Saradha Chit Fund scam.

He faced questioning and arrest in connection with the Narada sting operation. He has denied wrongdoing in the cases.

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Mitra's political persona, meanwhile, has remained distinct from that of many of his contemporaries. Known for his colourful attire, flamboyant public appearances and outspoken style, he has frfdbequently made headlines with provocative political comments.

His latest remarks come against the backdrop of a wider political discourse in Bengal centred on allegations of corruption, criminal activity and misconduct involving political leaders. Rival parties have routinely used such allegations to attack one another, while leaders across political formations have faced investigations and legal proceedings.

Mitra's criticism, however, was not directed at any particular individual in his latest comments. Instead, he spoke of a broader decline in political standards and said the experience had left him increasingly alienated from politics.

Whether his latest expression of disenchantment translates into an actual withdrawal from electoral politics or remains another episode in his long and unpredictable political journey remains to be seen.