In a major political setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, veteran party leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra on Wednesday announced his exit from all organisational posts in the party before formally aligning himself with the rebel Trinamool camp led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. The dramatic political shift came a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to Mitra's wife and two sons in the municipal recruitment scam probe.
The veteran legislator arrived at the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday afternoon and walked into Ritabrata Banerjee's chamber, where he was seen seated beside the Leader of the Opposition before making his announcement. Wearing a white kurta and black sunglasses, Mitra declared that he was stepping down from all positions held in the Kalighat TMC.
"I was in the Trinamool, and I remain in the Trinamool. I have only moved from one room to another. That room may have had a comfortable bed; this room may have only a cot. I have chosen the cot," Mitra said, describing his decision to join the rival faction.
Despite leaving the Mamata Banerjee-led camp, Mitra expressed gratitude to the former Chief Minister, saying, "She has stood by us for many years. We, too, tried to do our bit." He also revealed that before changing camps, he had sent Mamata Banerjee a WhatsApp message saying "Sorry." Mitra further confirmed that he would participate in the Ritabrata camp's July 21 political programme.
The political development comes less than 24 hours after the ED summoned Mitra's wife and two sons in connection with the municipal recruitment scam investigation. The timing of the move has triggered speculation that the legal developments may have influenced his decision, a suggestion the veteran leader firmly rejected.
Launching a direct attack on senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, Mitra blamed him for his decision to quit the Kalighat camp.
"The ED is less frightening than AB (Abhishek Banerjee). The primary reason for my leaving the party is Abhishek. I was feeling suffocated in the Trinamool. The party belongs to its workers, not to Abhishek. It cannot be run in a Hitler-like manner. Leaders must reconnect with the people," he said.
In another sharp remark, Mitra, without initially naming Abhishek, said, "When the history of this period in Bengal is written, it will record that one person destroyed an entire party that had once won 213 seats." He later openly named Abhishek Banerjee while speaking to reporters outside the Assembly.
Rejecting allegations linked to the recruitment scam, Mitra challenged his critics to produce evidence against him.
"Prove that Madan Mitra ever took money to secure a government job for anyone. I spent 27 months in jail but never spoke against my party," he said.
Earlier in the day, senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that central agencies were being used to pressure political leaders into switching camps.
"People will judge those who try to force leaders to change sides by sending notices to their family members. Even if Madan-da's body goes there, his heart will remain with Kalighat and with Mamata Banerjee," Ghosh said.
Mitra's defection is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction since the Assembly election defeat. Several senior leaders, including Chandrima Bhattacharya and Jyotipriya Mallick, have already joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel camp. Once regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee's closest associates and entrusted with key organisational responsibilities, Madan Mitra's exit marks another significant blow to the Kalighat faction and further deepens the split within the Trinamool Congress.
