Rama Krishna Sangem
After an unexpected electoral defeat in Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and former CM Mamata Banerjee is currently witnessing a revolt against her within the party. Of the 80 MLAs of the TMC, at least 50 are said to be distancing themselves from her. This is a big shock to her, threatening her political future.
Ritabrata Banerjee, an expelled TMC leader claimed that he has the backing of 60 MLAs of the party to become the leader of opposition in the Bengal assembly.This appears so, given the fact that only a dozen MLAs have turned up at a meeting held by Mamata at her residence on June 2. The meeting was called for to organize protesting attacks on Abhishek Banerjee.
Abhishek is the cause of trouble within TMC. Many senior leaders don’t like his control over the party.Abhishek, 39 years old three-time MP from Diamond Harbour seat is No 2 in TMC and his writ runs in the party. He is the reason for Suvendu Adhikari leaving TMC five years ago. Now, Suvendu is the first BJP CM of Bengal.
Now Ritabrata Banerjee is leading anti-Abhishek camp. “We want Mamata to be our adviser but not accept the control of Abhishek,” is the line of Ritabrata, who appealed Bengal governor to appoint him as the opposition leader in the assembly. Many MLAs appear to be against Abhishek’s clout in TMC. This is evident at a dharna held by Mamta in Kolkata on June 3.
Didi power on decline
These things take time and involve a lot of process. Speaker in the assembly, a BJP man, decides who should be the leader of opposition. As Mamata lose her Bhabanipur assembly seat, she cannot come to the assembly, but appoint someone else as the opposition leader. The question is how many MLAs of TMC accept her choice.
As she is out of the assembly, Didi, as Mamata is fondly called by her cadres, will have to lead street fights which are her strong forte. She has done for the last 25-30 years. But will she be able to do it again now? Now she is 71 and will have to stay put in this role for another five years – till 2031 assembly elections. Does she have the stamina and support from within TMC?