Post-poll defeat, Trinamool Congress gripped by serious organisational crisis

Party supremo Mamata Banerjee losing her control on the TMC leaders

By Tirthankar Mitra

KOLKATA: Time was when Trinamool Congress stood on firm organisational foundations all over West Bengal with each and everyone of its leaders and activists looking up to party supremo Mamata Banerjee for helming them to electoral triumph. But the days when none dared to question Banerjee’s leadership seems to be over as TMC is beset with organisational chaos post a landslide BJP poll triumph.

The party which once rose from the grassroots appears to be directionless now. It is no exaggeration to say that TMC is struggling with instability. The erstwhile ruling party is affected with a collective loss of nerve. The latest instance of it being the withdrawal of nomination of party candidate at Falta Assembly segment, Jahangir Khan. Once the strongman of the locality, Khan chose to withdraw from the poll race on Tuesday , two days before the by poll on May 21. It was described as a “personal decision and not a party one” by the TMC leadership which has egg on its face.

Time was when Khan’s decision would have invited disciplinary action. But the TMC leadership is chary lest it triggers his desertion, a sure sign of organisational weakness. Nominating Khan for Falta has been the decision of the top leadership as he was considered to be tough enough to stand up to any strongarm tactics of the saffron camp on the polling day. In so many words, Khan’s candidature had the aye of Mamata Banerjee.

Falta is scheduled to go for the polls on May 21.. This leaves no time for Khan’s party to nominate another candidate. The TMC leadership has been placed in an unenviable position. For the result of Falta bypoll is now a foregone conclusion- an unopposed victory of the BJP nominee. But the reason behind Khan’s withdrawal of candidature is significant. It is clear that he is no longer apprehensive of the wrath of the party supremo or her nephew, though Falta is within Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee’s parliamentary constituency.

He is more fearful of the fallout of BJP wrath of he remains in the fray. A trouble free existence has greater priority to him than displeasure of the party supremo. Post poll debacle, party discipline cannot be stated to be slack in the Trinamool Congress. It is withering away.

Nothing could have been worse at this point of time for the TMC which is desperately trying to put its house on order. Meetings are being called of the elected representatives to analyse the reasons behind the poll debacle.

Little did the TMC leadership read Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee realise that things would implode on their face. In a meeting of legislators at Mamata’s Kalighat residence on Tuesday, Banerjee heard the rumblings of revolt loud and clear.

Three MLAs, Kunal Ghosh, Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee did not mince their words when they informed the aunt and nephew duo of trio’s displeasure about the choice of candidates. Singling out Abhishek for these “unsuitable nominees brutally foisted on the rank and file”, they predicted “extinction of the party” unless things are set right.

Of the 80 MLAs, 15 chose to stay away. Of the absentees, eight of them did not specify any reason behind skipping this crucial meeting. Nothing could be a clearer pointer to laxity of party discipline. And the dissenters were aware that the leadership was not in a position to act against them.

The withdrawal of Khan featured in the discussion. It was said that the ” blessed child of the failed Diamond Harbour model” had run away and the target of sarcasm was Abhishek, the Diamond Harbour MP. It was also asked what prevented Khan’s expulsion. The sarcastic vein continued with Diamond Harbour referred to as “Union Territory” being looked after by Abhishek.

Mamata Banerjee had said clearly after the poll results that open criticism of Abhishek would not be tolerated. Her warning being ignored is an indication of her loosing grip over those who hung on to her every word till the other day. Trinamool Congress party structure appears to be like a house of cards. Portions of it are taking their turn to collapse.

Incidentally, all three are onetime Abhishek loyalists. They have taken an U-turn after Abhishek, TMC’s virtual second-in-command received demolition notices of illegal construction in 17 of his properties from Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Incidentally, the KMC board is run by Trinamool councillors. Party supremo Banerjee had recently asked the councillors to stay in touch with the people and discharge their civic duties.

As the dissidents railed and ranted, .Mamata and Abhishek sat speechless, sources stated. Far lesser manifestation of dissent would have earned stern disciplinary action in the past. Inarguably, the party supremo has realised that such action would diminish her flock. And an indisciplined group of MLAs, a ginger group to be precise is preferable to her now than a legislative party whose members are few and far between.

List of Abhishek’s purported properties numbering 43 in KMC area alone was also raised by the trio. As corruption was lambasted and Abhishek’s explanation that there are namesakes did not wash before the ginger group, they aimed salvo after salvo, there was no rebuttals. The two top leaders sat in sullen silence while the other legislators did not speak a word in defence of the leadership.

Once Mamata Banerjee dealt with outpouring of any defiance by a rap on the knuckles of the dissenters. It was followed by “shouts from the faithful” drowning any difference of opinion. The meeting at the party supremo’s Kalighat residence was indeed a study in contrast. With the fear of being hauled up by leadership gone with the wind, the dissenters had a field day.

Party organisation of the TMC clearly needs to be rebuilt. But it would be a long haul given the slew of corruption charges hurled at the “heir apparent” together with the ire of second rung leaders towards the top leadership read Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee. (IPA Service)