Trinamool Rift Deepens with Anubrata's Defection
By Kunal Chatterjee
The internal battle within the Trinamool Congress has entered a new phase as several senior leaders once regarded as loyal to Mamata Banerjee have crossed over to the rival camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The latest and most significant development is the reported shift of Anubrata Mondal, popularly known as Keshto, who is expected to become the Birbhum district president under the rebel leadership.
Anubrata's move is particularly striking because he was long considered one of Mamata Banerjee's closest political allies. Over the years, she publicly defended him during several controversies, including his inflammatory remarks against the police and allegations of misconduct. Even after his legal troubles and the arrest of his daughter, Sukanya Mondal, in connection with the cattle smuggling case, the party leadership largely stood by him. Political observers believe that concerns over ongoing legal cases and the future of his family may have influenced his decision to change sides.
His arrival in Ritabrata's camp also raises questions about whether he can work alongside Kajol Sheikh. The two leaders have been bitter rivals for years, fighting for control of the Trinamool organisation in Birbhum. Their feud continued even after Mamata Banerjee tried to resolve it by creating a core committee. Following Anubrata's imprisonment in Tihar Jail, Kajol strengthened his position in the district, making it difficult for Anubrata to regain his influence after his release. Despite their long-standing rivalry, both leaders are now part of the same political camp.
The coming together of former rivals has become one of the defining features of the split within the party. A leader close to Mamata Banerjee claimed that many of those joining the rebel camp were motivated by the desire to protect their wealth and political interests. Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee also criticised the defectors, pointing out that several of them had previously been accused by the BJP of involvement in cattle, coal and stone smuggling.
The rebellion extends beyond Birbhum. Sudip Raha, once regarded as a close associate of Abhishek Banerjee, has joined Ritabrata's camp and is now serving as president of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad. Kohinur Majumdar, who had earlier been suspended after criticising Abhishek Banerjee, has been appointed chairman of the student organisation. Chandrima Bhattacharya, who had previously taken disciplinary action against Kohinur and was until recently considered one of Mamata Banerjee's trusted colleagues, has also joined the rebel faction and become a member of its national working committee.
Ritabrata's faction is now moving quickly to strengthen its organisational structure. Last month, the group held a meeting in New Town, where Arup Roy was appointed party chairperson in place of Mamata Banerjee. Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan and Sandipan Saha were named general secretaries, while Akhruzzaman Ansari became treasurer. A 30-member working committee was also formed and submitted to the Election Commission of India, with the rebels claiming to represent the "real" Trinamool Congress. The rival faction led by Mamata Banerjee has challenged this claim before the Commission.
The rebel camp is expected to finalise the names of its state president and district presidents during meetings scheduled over two days in Topsia. MLAs, district leaders and defeated Assembly candidates are expected to attend as the faction attempts to expand its organisational base. The growing number of senior leaders leaving Mamata Banerjee's camp highlights the scale of the crisis facing her leadership, even as the rebels attempt to unite former political rivals under a single banner.
