Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra announced a major political shift by joining the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee. He clarified that he had only changed his seating arrangement inside the West Bengal Assembly. Mitra insisted his decision reflected political differences rather than a complete departure from public service. The veteran leader earlier served as a minister under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her government. He revealed that he had urged party leadership to temporarily reduce Abhishek Banerjee’s role. According to Mitra, the proposal aimed to strengthen the party before restoring leadership responsibilities. He claimed Abhishek rejected the suggestion and refused to step aside for six months. Mitra stated the leadership ignored repeated concerns raised by several senior party members. He eventually resigned from important organizational positions before publicly aligning with the rebel camp. He maintained that his move represented a political decision instead of a personal conflict.
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Mitra Criticises Leadership, Appeals to Mamata Banerjee for Party Revival
During a press conference alongside Ritabrata Banerjee, Madan Mitra sharply criticised the current party leadership. He alleged that leaders focused excessively on protecting Abhishek Banerjee despite growing political challenges. Mitra claimed the Trinamool Congress continued losing support while internal concerns remained largely unaddressed. He appealed directly to Mamata Banerjee to treat the crisis as a long political journey. He expressed confidence that political developments would eventually determine the strongest leadership within the party. Mitra announced his resignation from every organizational responsibility connected with the Trinamool Congress. However, he confirmed that he would continue serving as an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly. He declared that he no longer functioned politically as a Trinamool Congress legislator. The rebel faction currently enjoys support from many former Trinamool lawmakers after the recent political split. Leadership claims over the original party remain under consideration before the Election Commission.
Political divisions within the Trinamool Congress intensified after the party lost power in West Bengal elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party ended the Trinamool government’s fifteen-year rule through its electoral victory. Following the defeat, several legislators and Members of Parliament shifted towards the rebel faction. Some lawmakers formally merged with a smaller political party based in Tripura during recent developments. These political changes created uncertainty over which group legally represents the original Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission continues examining rival claims made by both competing factions regarding party recognition. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee strongly rejected allegations made by the rebel leaders. They accused defecting lawmakers of acting because of political inducements, personal ambition, or external pressure. Senior leaders also alleged that central investigative agencies influenced several politicians through ongoing investigations. Rebel leaders, however, consistently denied those accusations and defended their political decisions.
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Mitra Faces Earlier Investigations as Recruitment Probe Continues
The Enforcement Directorate recently summoned Madan Mitra’s wife and two sons for questioning in a money laundering investigation. Officials linked the investigation to alleged irregularities in municipal recruitment across several civic bodies. The summons reached Mitra’s family only one day before his political realignment became public. Mitra immediately denied any connection between the investigation and his decision to join rebels. He stated that his family would fully cooperate with investigators during every stage of questioning. He emphasized that legal proceedings should remain separate from his independent political choices. Investigators previously searched several properties connected to Mitra across Kolkata and nearby locations. Earlier searches included residences situated in Bhawanipur, Kalighat, Dakshineswar, Santoshpur, Joka, and Beleghata. Authorities conducted those raids while investigating alleged financial irregularities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The investigation into the recruitment case continues independently alongside the Central Bureau of Investigation’s inquiries.
Madan Mitra has previously faced investigations in several high-profile corruption cases over the past decade. The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him during the Saradha chit fund investigation in 2014. Authorities later granted him bail after he spent 629 days in judicial custody. The CBI arrested him again during 2021 over allegations linked to the Narada sting operation. Investigators accused several political leaders of accepting bribes in the widely discussed corruption controversy. The latest Enforcement Directorate investigation focuses on alleged irregularities involving appointments across municipal bodies. Officials continue examining financial transactions under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The agency launched its investigation using predicate offences already registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Despite ongoing legal scrutiny, Mitra continues denying wrongdoing and rejects political motives behind investigative actions. He maintains that his latest political decision remains completely independent from every pending investigation.
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