Assam Assembly Sees “Mamata Didi Zindabad” Chant by Trinamool MLA
Lone Trinamool MLA raises “Mamata Didi Zindabad” slogan in Assam Assembly.
The first day of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly witnessed unexpected political drama after Trinamool Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed raised slogans of “Mamata Didi zindabad” shortly after taking his oath, drawing reactions from both ruling and opposition members inside the House.
The incident occurred on Thursday, May 21, as all 126 newly elected MLAs gathered for the oath-taking ceremony under the supervision of Protem Speaker Chandra Mohan Patowary and Assembly Secretariat officials. Ahmed, the lone Trinamool Congress representative from the Mandia constituency, had just completed his oath when he raised slogans in support of party chief Mamata Banerjee.
Ahmed, a three-time MLA, has had a shifting political journey in recent years. He was suspended from the Congress in 2021 over alleged anti-party activities, later joined Raijor Dal, and was named its vice-president before eventually aligning with the Trinamool Congress ahead of the Assam elections. His public slogan inside the Assembly quickly became a talking point among legislators present in the House.
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The remarks triggered visible reactions inside the Assembly, with some members reportedly reacting with laughter while others viewed the gesture as inappropriate for a constitutional setting. Outside the House, Ahmed defended his statement, expressing gratitude to Mamata Banerjee and crediting her for supporting him during a politically uncertain phase.
He further stated that the Trinamool Congress intends to expand its presence in Assam and is preparing for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Ahmed also indicated that the party is planning to field a strong candidate and strengthen its organisational base in the state despite being represented by only one MLA at present.
The incident also drew criticism from BJP legislators, who questioned the appropriateness of political slogans during oath-taking proceedings. While some acknowledged Mamata Banerjee’s influence as Ahmed’s party leader, they argued that Assembly proceedings should remain strictly formal. The BJP won 82 of the 126 seats in the recent election, while the Congress secured 19 seats, underscoring the ruling party’s dominant position in the state Assembly.
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