With the assembly elections only a few months away, the ruling TMC in Bengal, who until now was busy making preparations to decimate the BJP, now faces another challenge of keeping his house in order, as several members have expressed dissent. against leadership. As Minister of State Suvendu Adhikari, along with other officials, openly voice their grievances against the Mamata Banerjee-led administration, high-level leaders are desperately seeking ways to pacify the rebels.
Adhikari, who has stayed away from the higher ups in recent months, has the support of the masses and is considered second only to Banerjee in the party. The TMC leadership, however, has said that the minister is “very much with the party” and there was no crisis, as was speculated.
The party has started indirect talks with the Transport Minister, who wields some 45 seats in East Midnapore and the Junglemahal belt, but a section of the leadership is concerned about his next move. According to party sources, Adhikari, who played a crucial role in the movement against Nandigram’s land acquisition, has relied on lieutenants in 18 of the 23 districts.
“Retaining him is the key to returning to power in 2021. If he leaves the party, it will affect us negatively, both electorally and politically. Many leaders who are speaking out against the party or are not happy could join it,” said a senior official. The TMC leader said on condition of anonymity. Sources close to the disgruntled leader said he was unhappy with the organizational restructuring carried out a few months ago and did not feel comfortable with the idea of eliminating the district observer post.
Adhikari, a former TMC observer, felt that “attempts were being made to clip his wings,” the sources said. Rumors were running that the minister, a high-powered central committee member, was being elected to a higher position in the organization and an announcement to that effect was in the offing. That, however, did not materialize.
“Suvendu Adhikari feels that he did not get his fair share in the match and attempts are being made to sideline it to make room for a senior TMC MP. He is also unhappy with the interference from polling strategist Prashant Kishor and the I -PAC in the organization The party is trying to address their complaints, let’s see what happens, “said the TMC leader. It is not just Adhikari that is worrying the top brass, several other MLAs and leaders have also spoken out openly against the leadership, something that was unthinkable even a few years ago.
Many have directed their anger at Kishor and his team, hired by the party to strengthen their electoral prospects. Among them, Singur MLA Rabindranath Bhattacharya, who had also played a vital role in the anti-land acquisition movement, Coochbehar South MLA Mihir Goswami to Arambagh MLA Krishnachandra Santra to Barrackpore MLA Silbhadra Dutta have openly criticized the leadership. Some have also expressed their desire to leave the party.
The latest to be added to the list is the MLA party from the Sitai constituency, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia. According to the TMC leader, in addition to Adhikari, four other ministers have expressed their disgust against the party or maintain a distance with the leadership.
The state’s minister of forests, Rajib Banerjee, and the minister of consumer affairs, Sadhan Pande, have also complained, on occasion, about the way the party operates. “Not only these six MLAs, there are many other legislators, councilors, district leaders who are unhappy with the functioning of the party, especially with the functioning of the I-PAC team. After spending so many years in the party, we are being marginalized and asked to work as instructed, “said another TMC senior leader, who declined to be named.
Reports suggest that I-PAC has hired over 1,200 volunteers, and each assembly constituency has around 4-5 officials to take stock of the organization and its affairs. Recently, a group of TMC workers from various districts had organized a sit-in in front of the party’s state headquarters, accusing the party of ignoring veterans.
It was after top leaders intervened that the demonstration withdrew. Another reason behind the growing anger at the I-PAC team is the poll it had conducted across the state to gauge the popularity of TMC MLAs present and their attempt to woo leaders of other parties like Left and Congress.
“I-PAC had identified corruption and infighting among a section of the lower and middle rungs as one of the key problems. The party has also taken action and made changes based on input. This has angered some people, who are threatening to join the BJP or keep in touch with the saffron field, “said a TMC MLA. The I-PAC, however, has declined to comment on the matter and said it was just doing its job.
Political analyst Biswanath Chakraborty feels that “both the TMC and the BJP are eagerly waiting to see Suvendu’s next move. It will decide the fate of the 2021 assembly elections.” “If Suvendu Adhikari remains in the party, the TMC will be in an advantageous position. If the BJP is switched, there is likely to be a change in the next assembly polls. It is a watershed moment for the TMC,” Chakraborty said. Reacting to the development, TMC’s senior leader and MP Sougata Roy, who has been hired by the party for secondary channel talks with Adhikari, said that the transport minister remains an important part of the organization.
“Suvendu is still very much on the party’s side. The media should stop speculating. There is no crisis. Out of more than 200 MLA, if five or six MLA have an opinion to express, that is not a problem. Everything will be solved.” Roy said. His party colleague and state secretary general, Partha Chatterjee, said that both the people of the state and the party cadres stand firmly by Mamata Banerjee’s side.
The TMC would return to power with a much larger mandate, he said. The BJP, which is currently in wait and watch mode and is enjoying the buzz in the ruling party, said capable organizers and leaders have no place in a party like the TMC.
“Only a party like the BJP can accommodate and treat with respect leaders who have good governance and organizational capabilities. The TMC functions primarily as a personal fiefdom, it can never accommodate capable leaders like Suvendu Adhikari,” said the state president of the BJP, Dilip Ghosh. Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly are likely to take place between April and May next year.
.
