Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar attended an administrative review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Nadia on Tuesday, days after stepping down from a key organisational responsibility within the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Her participation in the meeting has triggered political discussion in the state, particularly in the backdrop of recent organisational changes within the party. Separately, a recent social media post by senior Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has also drawn attention amid the changing political landscape in West Bengal.
This comes after the senior TMC leader, Dr. Dastidar, was removed from the post of chief whip of the Trinamool’s parliamentary party, with the responsibility being reassigned to Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee. Soon after, Kakoli shared an emotional message on social media that triggered widespread political discussion. In the post, she wrote, “Rewarded today for four decades of loyalty.”
TMC MP attends administrative meet with CM Suvendu Adhikari
Within days of that post, Kakoli resigned from the position of president of the Barasat organisational district of the Trinamool Congress. Sources indicate that she submitted her resignation to state party president Subrata Bakshi. Her appearance soon after at an administrative review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kalyani, Nadia, was viewed by many as a reflection of her continued commitment to public and administrative responsibilities beyond party politics.
The administrative meeting, held at the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium on Tuesday, was attended by administrative officials and public representatives from North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Hooghly districts. Apart from Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, several TMC MLAs from North 24 Parganas were also present.
Leaders from the opposition camp claimed that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is attempting to establish a “new political culture” by inviting representatives across party lines to administrative meetings. TMC leaders, however, stressed that elected representatives attending government administrative meetings should not be unnecessarily politicised, particularly when district-level development and governance issues are involved.
Political Doldrums?
The development is particularly significant given Kakoli’s strained political relationship with Suvendu Adhikari in the past. In 2023, after Suvendu publicly linked her name to allegations surrounding the ration corruption controversy, Kakoli had reportedly sent him a legal notice. Despite political differences in the past, the meeting was largely seen as part of institutional governance where public representatives from multiple districts were invited to participate.
Meanwhile, another controversy has emerged around a recent social media post by veteran TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy. Following the party’s electoral setback in the Assembly elections, Roy shared a cryptic post referring to the functioning of the “former TMC government,” prompting fresh debate within political circles. While opposition parties attempted to interpret the comments politically, several TMC supporters argued that internal reflection and open discussion have always been part of the party’s political culture.
Political analysts believe that West Bengal’s political landscape remains highly dynamic, with the Trinamool Congress continuing to play a major opposition role in the state despite recent political changes. Observers note that the party’s senior leadership and grassroots network still retain significant influence across districts, making every move by prominent leaders politically important.
'TMC will never bow down': Mamata Banerjee
Trinamool leaders have projected confidence about the party’s organisational strength and unity, dismissing opposition narratives aimed at portraying instability within the camp. “Trinamool Congress will not bow down…” party supremo Mamata Banerjee had stated clearly on May 16 during an organisational meeting with TMC’s contesting candidates at her Kalighat residence. Showing preparedness for the days to come, the three-term CM, Banerjee asserted that the party will bounce back. “I will rebuild from scratch if needed, I will do it myself,” she had said. Unshaken by the changing political landscape or potential internal dissent, the TMC chairperson put out a clear message saying that “anyone who wants to leave the party must go ahead.”
