The restructuring comes amid an unprecedented rebellion that has exposed deep divisions within the Trinamool Congress. At the center of the discontent is National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, who had long been regarded as the party’s de facto second-in-command. In a significant shift in the party’s power structure, Abhishek Banerjee will no longer function without oversight, with Members of Parliament Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen now designated to assist him as additional National General Secretaries.
The move is widely being interpreted as a clear signal from the party leadership that Abhishek Banerjee’s authority is no longer beyond scrutiny. According to party sources, the current rebellion is viewed more as a revolt against his style of functioning than against Mamata Banerjee herself.
Tensions reportedly escalated following the party’s defeat in the Assembly elections. At a meeting held soon after the electoral setback, Mamata Banerjee is said to have asked party leaders to applaud her nephew’s role during the campaign. The request reportedly generated resentment among several leaders, many of whom believed that Abhishek Banerjee’s approach to leadership had contributed significantly to the party’s declining popularity. The incident is widely seen as the first major trigger behind the growing unrest.
The divisions became more visible over time. During another key meeting held at Kalighat on May 19, party leaders Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha openly expressed their dissent, marking one of the first public signs of resistance from within the Trinamool legislative party.
As part of the extensive organisational reshuffle, senior leader Chandrima Bhattacharya has been elevated to the position of State President, a move that signals both a generational transition and an effort to reset the party’s organisational structure. Veteran leader Subrata Bakshi will continue serving as Vice President in the National Working Committee.
The reorganisation also extends across multiple party wings. Sajda Ahmed, Mamata Thakur, Nayana Bandyopadhyay and Swati Khandekar have been appointed Vice Presidents of the West Bengal Pradesh Trinamool Congress. Member of Parliament Saayoni Ghosh will continue as the head of the party’s youth wing.
The latest appointments reflect Mamata Banerjee’s effort to strengthen her position by entrusting key responsibilities to loyalists and experienced leaders who have remained firmly aligned with her during the ongoing internal turmoil. The leadership changes represent one of the most comprehensive restructurings undertaken by the Trinamool Congress in recent years.
With dissatisfaction among sections of the party continuing to surface, the organisational overhaul underscores Mamata Banerjee’s determination to restore discipline, contain factionalism and reassert control over the Trinamool Congress ahead of future political battles. The reshuffle is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the party’s internal dynamics and political strategy in the months ahead.
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