Internal rift surfaces in TMC following loss in Darjeeling district

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI: Former Darjeeling district president of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and current core committee member Papiya Ghosh on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction following the party’s defeat in the district, where none of its candidates secured a win.

“We were servants, just following the orders of the leadership and bound to work accordingly. The syndicate system across the State is also one of the reasons for the defeat,” Ghosh said.

Reflecting on the party’s functioning over the past five years, she added, “From 2021 to 2026, the party has not operated in the same manner as before. It increasingly felt like a master-servant structure. During this period, the syndicate culture grew significantly.”

Ghosh, daughter of veteran TMC leader Ratindranath Ghosh of Cooch Behar, said the situation within the party had led to growing discontent.

Following the defeat, signs of internal discord have emerged within the TMC, with reports of leaders considering quitting the party or joining opposition groups.

In this context, Ghosh reiterated her criticism, saying, “We were treated as servants in the party. In the past five years, the system functioned in a hierarchical manner where our role was limited to following instructions.”

She further stated that the party’s organisational structure in North Bengal had “completely collapsed,” adding that her remarks have stirred discussion within political circles.

Ghosh also held Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb responsible for loss in North Bengal.

“After losing the election, Gautam Deb should resign from the post of Mayor. He also should take the responsible for the loss in election from North Bengal,” she said. She added that Deb lost from his own ward and people have ignored him due to his ideology.

Meanwhile, discontent has also been directed at the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

Atrideo Sharma, district general secretary of the TMC in Siliguri, criticised the leadership, alleging that focus had shifted away from organisational matters.

Sharma also raised concerns about the role of AIPAC, claiming that it wielded significant influence within the party. “AIPAC had extensive control. State-level leaders were unable to act independently, and many decisions were being taken through them,” he said.