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New Delhi : West Bengal’s political landscape witnessed another dramatic twist on Saturday as senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned as the party’s West Bengal president—less than a month after taking charge—while stepping down from all organisational responsibilities.
In her resignation letter, Bhattacharya announced that she was relinquishing every role assigned to her within the party. She also withdrew as the authorised signatory for TMC’s bank accounts and informed the Election Commission that she would no longer represent the party. Political circles have also taken note of her referring to Mamata Banerjee as the former Chief Minister rather than the party chairperson.
Bhattacharya, a long-time confidante of Mamata Banerjee and a former minister who handled key portfolios including finance, health, and rural development, had been appointed state president on June 3, replacing veteran leader Subrata Bakshi.
Her exit comes amid an escalating rebellion within the TMC after a faction of party MLAs occupied the party’s office near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, claiming to be the “original TMC” while retaining Mamata Banerjee’s image on the office banner. Bhattacharya was reportedly present during the incident but left soon after.
Addressing the media after her resignation, Bhattacharya denied having any personal allegations against party leaders but admitted she was deeply hurt after Mamata Banerjee reportedly accused her of handing over the party headquarters to the rebel camp.”I have no allegations against anyone. I have a grievance against myself. I was told by Mamata Banerjee that I had handed over the TMC Bhavan. I am hurt. Who am I to hand over the Bhavan?” she said.
Reacting to the resignation, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh described Bhattacharya as a veteran leader who had served both the party and the government for years, calling her decision unfortunate.
The resignation adds to the mounting crisis following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, where the BJP won 208 of 294 seats, reducing the TMC to just 80. The situation worsened after 58 TMC MLAs joined a rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, intensifying the party’s biggest internal crisis in years.
