Former Bengal Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya Joins Trinamool Rebel Camp, Deepening Split in Party

Kolkata, July 2026 : The internal rift within the Trinamool Congress widened further on Saturday as former West Bengal Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya resigned from all party posts and joined the rebel faction led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. Her departure marks another significant setback for former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with almost all senior ministers from her 2011–2026 cabinet now aligning with the rival camp.

Bhattacharya, who also served as the former state president of the Trinamool Congress, announced her resignation after losing in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. Shortly after stepping down from her party responsibilities, she met leaders of the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction, signalling her formal shift to the rebel group.

Explaining her decision, Bhattacharya said she could no longer remain with the Mamata Banerjee-led faction after her loyalty was questioned following the rebel camp’s takeover of the Trinamool Congress headquarters in Kolkata.

She alleged that the former Chief Minister had publicly cast doubts on her commitment to the party, making it difficult for her to continue in the organisation.

Bhattacharya also criticised Mamata Banerjee’s style of functioning during her tenure in government, claiming that she was never allowed to function independently despite holding the Finance portfolio with independent charge.

Her exit further strengthens the rebel majority faction, which has steadily attracted several influential leaders who once formed the core of Mamata Banerjee’s government.

Among the prominent former ministers who have already switched allegiance are Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Javed Ahmed Khan, Jyotipriya Mallick, Siuli Saha and Arup Roy. Their departure has dramatically altered the political balance within the Trinamool Congress following the Assembly elections.

Several of these leaders continue to hold elected positions in the state Assembly. Firhad Hakim, Javed Ahmed Khan, Siuli Saha and Arup Roy remain sitting MLAs and have emerged as key faces of the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction.

Last month, the rebel group appointed four-time MLA Arup Roy as the chairman of its newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC), further consolidating its organisational structure.

While the rebel camp has gained considerable momentum, a few senior leaders from the previous Mamata Banerjee cabinet have yet to publicly declare their political future.

Former Education Minister Bratya Basu and former Women & Child Development and Commerce & Industries Minister Dr Sashi Panja have remained silent since their electoral defeats. Neither leader has reaffirmed support for the Mamata Banerjee-Abhishek Banerjee faction nor announced plans to join the rebel camp.

Similarly, former minister Soumen Mahapatra has maintained a low profile and has not made any public statement regarding the ongoing split within the party.

Among the senior leaders who continue to openly support Mamata Banerjee is veteran legislator Madan Mitra, often described by the former Chief Minister as the “most colourful personality” in the Trinamool Congress. Mitra has repeatedly reiterated his loyalty to both Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee despite the growing exodus of senior leaders.

With Chandrima Bhattacharya’s departure, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has suffered another major organisational setback. Notably, the post of state president has fallen vacant following her resignation, and no replacement has been announced so far.

The continuing migration of senior leaders to the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction highlights the deepening divisions within the Trinamool Congress and signals that the battle for control of the party is far from over as both camps seek to consolidate their political influence in West Bengal.