TMC Bengal chief Chandrima Bhattacharya quits all party posts

Kolkata: Just two months after the Trinamool Congress' defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool's newly appointed state president, Chandrima Bhattacharya, resigned from all her party posts, including as an authorised signatory to the party's bank accounts and as its authorised representative before the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The development is significant as the ECI has reportedly sought claims and counterclaims from both factions of the Trinamool Congress regarding the party's organisational elections and authorised signatories. The poll panel has asked both sides to submit their responses by 5.30 pm on July 6.

Chandrima Bhattacharya said Mamata Banerjee questioned her loyalty during a phone call on Friday night, alleging that she had handed over Trinamool Bhawan to the rebel group led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. Bhattacharya was considered one of Mamata Banerjee's most loyal aides and held several key positions during the Trinamool regime, including important portfolios such as Finance and Health.


Also Read: Goutam Deb steps down as Siliguri mayor, adding to TMC exodus

In an explosive claim, Bhattacharya, who served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Finance, alleged that she had no knowledge of the state Budget or who had prepared it, and was merely asked by Mamata Banerjee to sign it.

On Friday evening, the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction took control of the Trinamool Bhawan office in Topsia, held meetings there and locked the premises. Bhattacharya was present in her room inside the building at the time.

The developments have fuelled speculation that Bhattacharya could join the rebel faction.

"We are here to take our senior leader Chandrima Bhattacharya, and we welcome her decision," rebel MLA Sandipan Saha said.

Responding to the developments, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "Chandrima Bhattacharya did not know or say anything when she held the maximum number of party posts and ministerial portfolios."

Trinamool Bhawan takeover

Major chaos erupted on Friday evening after the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction took control of the Trinamool Bhawan office, held meetings there and locked the premises.

Senior leaders of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, including Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra, rushed to the party office and protested the takeover.

Also Read: Ex-West Bengal minister Jyoti Priya Mallick quits all TMC posts, cites health issues

The internal rift within the Trinamool Congress has intensified over control of the party's twin-flower election symbol and party funds, with both factions approaching the Election Commission. The split follows the party's defeat in the recent Assembly elections, which brought the BJP to power in West Bengal for the first time.

The Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction claims the support of around 64 MLAs, giving it a majority within the legislature party, while the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been reduced to a minority.

On Thursday, Ritabrata Banerjee led a 10-member delegation of the dissident faction to the Election Commission in New Delhi, staking its claim over the Trinamool Congress' twin-flower symbol and ownership of party funds.

The delegation met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the Commission assured them that they would be informed of its decision in due course.

Commenting on Bhattacharya's resignation, Kunal Ghosh said, "She was the state president, but she left the building. Had she stayed a little longer, the situation could have been different. She held several ministerial portfolios during the Trinamool regime. Why did she not resign when she was in power?"

Chandrima Bhattacharya said she had not joined the Trinamool Congress rebel group.

"The rebel group did not come to my room yesterday when they came to Trinamool Bhawan," she said.

Referring to her son, Sourav Bhattacharya, a 47-year-old councillor, she added, "Sourav Bhattacharya, my son, is a councillor and can take his own decisions. So, I have not joined the rebel group."

Bhattacharya further alleged, "Mamata Banerjee told me that I had handed over Trinamool Bhawan to the rebel group. Who am I to hand over Trinamool Bhawan? I am really sad and hurt. It may be my failure that I could not make her understand my loyalty."

She also said she had resigned as an authorised signatory to the party's various bank accounts.

"I was the contact person for the Election Commission of India (ECI). I have resigned from that responsibility as well. I have withdrawn from the role and will inform the poll panel accordingly," she said.