Kolkata
-Gaurav Sharma
Trinamool Congress is facing fresh strain after senior MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar stepped down from every organisational role. The four-time Barasat Lok Sabha MP, known as a long-time aide of Mamata Banerjee, announced the decision days after quitting as Barasat district president and amid internal churn over the party’s recent poll debacle.
The move followed a key administrative meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, which Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar attended. Hours later, Ghosh Dastidar submitted a letter relinquishing the post of Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, along with all other organisational responsibilities, while choosing to remain a Trinamool Congress MP.
Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned from all organisational posts, including Mahila Congress chief, citing dissatisfaction with colleague conduct and party issues post-poll defeat, but remains Barasat Lok Sabha MP.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resignation Trinamool Congress triggers internal unease
In the resignation letter, Ghosh Dastidar wrote, “But with great sadness and concern, I am requesting to resign from the post of Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, as well as from other organisational posts, committees and responsibilities of the party,” making clear that the decision arose from deep dissatisfaction with recent developments inside Trinamool Congress.
Ghosh Dastidar sharply criticised what was described as offensive conduct by a colleague. “It is not meaningful to hold a position where the indecent behaviour of another uneducated, rude party MP towards a woman MP cannot be stopped, or the cooperation and sympathy of the senior leadership cannot be obtained,” the letter stated, highlighting tensions with Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resignation Trinamool Congress linked to whip change and corruption rows
Kalyan Banerjee had recently been restored as Trinamool chief whip in Lok Sabha, replacing Ghosh Dastidar after the party’s electoral setback. Once news of the parliamentary reshuffle spread, Ghosh Dastidar posted a pointed remark on X: “I have known Mamata Banerjee since 1976 and have been working together since 1984. Today, I got the prize for my four-decade-long loyalty.”
Within Trinamool Congress, the resignation is seen as a setback because Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar was widely viewed as a strong organiser in North 24 Parganas, a district that earlier functioned as an important urban base for the party. Ghosh Dastidar also had visibility in parliament, where Kakoli often criticised the BJP-led central government on various policy and political issues.
The letter went beyond internal complaints and touched on public allegations. Ghosh Dastidar wrote, “My conscience is deeply stirred today. Several financial and administrative irregularities, including ration corruption and teacher recruitment corruption, have given rise to deep anger and distrust in the minds of the common people. In addition, the tragic death of PGT Doctor Abhaya at R.G. Kar Medical College and the allegations of a possible cover-up surrounding that incident have pained and shocked the entire society. I have personally felt the moral impact of all these incidents deeply.”
Despite the strong words, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has neither resigned from the Lok Sabha nor surrendered primary membership of Trinamool Congress. The episode has added to debate within the party over leadership decisions, the handling of corruption allegations and the political fallout of the RG Kar Medical College case, as Trinamool Congress reassesses its strategy after the poll rout.
