Former West Bengal Finance Minister and Mamata Banerjee loyalist, Chandrima Bhattacharya, on Saturday (July 4, 2026) resigned from all posts of the Trinamool Congress and gave hints that she has aligned with the camp of rebels led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.
Ms. Bhattacharya, who has remained with the party chairperson over the past few decades, sent a letter to Ms. Banerjee announcing her resignation as head of the party’s State unit.
In the season of changing political loyalties in West Bengal, the resignation of Ms. Bhattacharya is yet another setback for Ms. Banerjee, who has only a handful of loyalists left.
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Ms. Bhattacharya said that after the MLAs of the rebel faction of the party took over the Trinamool Congress party office on Friday, the former Chief Minister had called and accused her of allowing the rebels to take over the party.
“I was deeply hurt when she (Mamata Banerjee) called me to say that I have handed over the party office to them (the rebels), although I do not know how I did that. It is evident that my loyalty and trustworthiness were shaken from their roots. This had never happened in the past. Once those fundamental binding forces are gone, there is no reason for me to stay in the party or return to it,” Ms. Bhattacharya told mediapersons.
Ms. Bhattacharya, a three-time MLA of the State, was defeated by BJP’s Sourav Sikdar from Dum Dum Uttar constituency in the recently concluded Assembly election. She joins a long list of Mamata Banerjee loyalists like former Minister Firhad Hakim and several MPs who have decided to switch their loyalties.
While the former State Finance Minister did not criticise Ms. Banerjee, Ms. Bhattacharya said she was not consulted during important decisions in the previous regime, including the preparation of the State Budget.
Ms. Bhattacharya was also the authorised signatory of Trinamool Congress before the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Mamata Banerjee loyalists shared a letter to the secretary of ECI, written by the party chairperson dated June 15, which stated that the two persons who will communicate with the commission are Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’ Brien.
After resigning from all posts of Trinamool Congress, Ms. Bhattacharya went to the State Assembly and met Ritabrata Banerjee and other rebel MLAs. While the former Minister did not say that she joined the rebel camp, her actions indicate that she has warmed up to them.
“There is a tendency in a private limited company (referring to Mamata Banerjee-led party) to insult its employees... Whatever is the experience of all us, Chandrima di (Bhattacharya) has a similar experience,” Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said.
Published - July 04, 2026 02:46 pm IST
