Madan Mitra Reveals Why He Left Mamata Banerjee Amid TMC Internal Crisis

Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Madan Mitra on Friday said he left the party because he believed greater efforts were needed to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rejecting claims that fear of Enforcement Directorate (ED) action or investigations influenced his decision. Mitra also launched a sharp attack on TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying he felt pushed away from the party. Mitra dismissed speculation that possible ED raids or investigations played a role in his exit from the TMC.

He said no pressure was put on him by investigative agencies and argued that political decisions should not be linked with legal probes. “The ED didn't scare us. They didn't call or threaten us. Why mix politics with the ED?” Mitra said, adding that his decision was based on his assessment of the party’s political strategy and its approach towards defeating the BJP. Explaining his reasons for leaving, Mitra said he felt the TMC needed a more aggressive approach on the ground. He claimed that the party required greater mobilisation and stronger efforts to challenge the BJP politically.

“I felt that to defeat the BJP, we needed to put in more effort than the way the Trinamool was operating from Kalighat. I wanted to support this new, assertive Trinamool. She chased me away. So I left too,” Mitra said, referring to the party leadership’s headquarters in Kalighat, Kolkata. After leaving the TMC, Mitra also made strong remarks against Mamata Banerjee, comparing her leadership approach to characters from the Mahabharata — Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. His comments added to the ongoing political debate surrounding the party’s internal dynamics.

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Mitra, however, praised Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP leader and former TMC heavyweight, acknowledging his political influence and organisational strength. “There is no doubt that considering Suvendu Adhikari's strength and vigor at his age, it would be very difficult to find a leader across the country capable of taking him on,” he said. Suvendu Adhikari, once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, joined the BJP in 2020 and later became one of the party’s prominent leaders in West Bengal. His political rivalry with the TMC leadership has remained a key feature of state politics in recent years.

Mitra’s departure comes at a time when the TMC is facing internal challenges and attempting to strengthen its position against the BJP in West Bengal. His remarks are expected to fuel further discussions about the party’s leadership style, electoral strategy and internal disagreements. The TMC has not yet issued a detailed response to Mitra’s allegations. The former minister’s comments mark another episode in the continuing political shifts within West Bengal’s ruling party as both the TMC and BJP prepare for future electoral battles.

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