Dissent erupts in TMC as Mamata drops MLAs, reshuffles seats for Bengal polls

In a surprise move, the TMC fielded Indian heptathlete Swapna Barman from Rajganj, a seat won by Khageswar Roy on the party’s ticket in 2021.

Soon after being denied a ticket, Roy, along with his supporters, announced his resignation and warned that the party would lose the seat in the upcoming elections.

“I am resigning along with my supporters over the injustice meted out to me,” Roy said, adding, “The TMC will face defeat in this constituency because I built the party’s base in this region.”

In a serious allegation, Roy accused the party of selecting candidates in exchange for money. “Today I have been defeated by money power,” the outgoing MLA claimed.

Roy’s protest was not an isolated incident. Chuchura MLA Asit Mazumdar went to the extent of quitting politics after being denied a ticket. The party has instead fielded young leader and spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya from the Hooghly seat.

Mazumdar criticised the party leadership, alleging that he was not consulted before the decision.

“Do we have any value? Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee take decisions. Do they even feel the need to consult us?” he said. “I have no qualms. If they feel Debangshu is a better choice, so be it.”

Meanwhile, political drama unfolded in South 24 Parganas after Canning Purba MLA Saokat Molla was fielded from Bhangar — the only seat won by the Indian Secular Front (ISF) in 2021.

Molla’s relocation has triggered discontent among his supporters in Canning Purba, prompting him to seek a reassessment from the party leadership.

“People share an emotional bond with me in Canning Purba. I will speak to Abhishek Banerjee for a reassessment and convey the outcome to my supporters. However, we remain united for the party’s prospects,” Molla said.

Adding to the tensions, former Bhangar MLA Arabul Islam — who recently quit the ruling party — took a swipe at Molla, alleging he was reluctant to face ISF leader Nausad Siddiqui in Bhangar.

“Saokat is putting up a show because he is certain of his defeat in Bhangar. Infighting within the TMC is a reality across the state,” Islam claimed.

Purbasthali Uttar MLA Tapas Chatterjee expressed strong discontent after being denied a ticket for the upcoming elections, alleging that the party now values “imported” leaders over its old guard.

“Those who have been with the TMC from day one have no value. The party is giving importance to leaders who have been brought in from CPI(M) or the BJP,” Chatterjee said after being replaced by Vasundhara Goswami, daughter of former Left Front minister Kshiti Goswami.

A similar sentiment was echoed by writer and socio-political activist Manoranjan Byapari, who was not fielded from the Balagarh seat he had won in 2021.

Meanwhile, Farakka MLA Manirul Islam announced that he would contest independently after being dropped by the party.

“I have been sacrificed for trying to protect the people of Farakka. But the voters support me, and I will contest from the seat,” Islam said. He had earlier led a violent protest over SIR outside the BDO office.