As Mamata Banerjee, the leader of Trinamool Congress and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, prepares for a public protest in Kolkata following her party’s recent electoral loss, uncertainties loom over the participation of her own party legislators. The protest, scheduled for two hours starting at 2 p.m., focuses on issues like the demolition of illegal structures in Kolkata and the removal of hawkers encroaching on railway lands. However, the expulsion of two Trinamool Congress legislators has sparked doubts about the support Banerjee will receive.
The legislators, Sandipan Saha from Entally and Ritabrata Banerjee from Uluberia (Purba), were expelled for alleged anti-party activities. This move came after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a CID investigation into signature discrepancies among Trinamool Congress lawmakers. Despite their expulsion, Sandipan and Ritabrata have been actively rallying support among party members, leading to speculation about potential unrest within the party.
Following a meeting with two veteran Trinamool Congress legislators, Javed Ahmed Khan and Seuli Saha, both expelled lawmakers have raised concerns about possible turmoil within the party. Seuli Saha, a former cabinet member under Mamata Banerjee, hinted at internal discord by mentioning a meeting at the MLA’s hostel in Kolkata. The presence of other party members, particularly from minority-dominated districts, adds to the intrigue surrounding Banerjee’s upcoming public event.
The turnout of Trinamool Congress legislators at Mamata Banerjee’s protest will serve as a barometer of the internal dynamics within the party post-election. With the party holding 80 seats in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, the support or lack thereof for Banerjee’s demonstration could signal further challenges for the Trinamool Congress leadership.
