In politics, one learns that no one is invincible, from time to time, you will have to suffer a defeat during elections. After all, it is the public which calls the shots and you never know when public decides to switch their votes. This time, after 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule, Bengalis decided that they are going to switch to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and how! TMC was simply swept away in the BJP tsunami, and their troubles didn’t end there.
As if the disastrous loss wasn’t enough, Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is dealing with defections and dissent on a daily basis since then. There have been several high profile resignations, MLAs rebelling against the party in the Assembly, and now even MPs are looking for a way out of the party.
The way TMC party has come crashing down in last 5 weeks is a sight to behold. We haven’t seen a major national party disintegrating like this before. As they say, a house of cards is built on weak foundations and is destined to collapse, looks like TMC was a house of cards all along.
Politics is often described as a game of power, but it is equally a game of perception. For years, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) appeared politically invincible. The party dominated the state’s political landscape, defeated powerful opponents, and projected an image of unity around Mamata’s leadership. However, following its recent defeat in the Assembly elections, cracks that were previously hidden beneath the surface have begun to emerge.
This is the problem with placing all the power in one person and not building organisational strength. Now, Mamata Di lost her MLA seat, her nephew is seen as enemy number 1, and the party is just falling apart.
Electoral defeats often expose underlying tensions that remain suppressed during periods of success. As they say, bad times show who your real friends are, and evidently, Mamata Banerjee didn’t have many within her own party.
Several legislators who once enthusiastically aligned themselves with Mamata Banerjee’s leadership are now outrightly rebellious or politically cautious. Some have increased their engagement with local constituencies while reducing their visibility in party activities. Others are reportedly exploring alternative political options, seeking to protect their careers. However, so far, BJP hasn’t admitted any of these TMC leaders who are looking to leave Mamata Banerjee.
The exodus may not yet be dramatic in numerical terms, but the symbolism is significant. A party that once projected itself as a tightly-knit political force is now struggling to maintain the appearance of cohesion. Every statement of dissent, every absence from party meetings, and every rumour of defection adds to the perception that the TMC’s grip over West Bengal politics is weakening.
For Mamata Banerjee personally, the challenge is perhaps greater than any she has faced in recent years. The TMC has long revolved around her personality and leadership. While this centralized structure helped the party consolidate power, it also means that electoral setbacks are often viewed as direct verdicts on her leadership. As a result, dissatisfaction within the party tends to be directed toward the top rather than dispersed across different levels of the organization.
The coming few weeks will determine whether the current turmoil is merely a temporary phase or the beginning of a larger political realignment in West Bengal. If more MLAs and MPs continue to distance themselves from the party, the TMC could face a deeper crisis of confidence.
