Mamata Banerjee Calls Key TMC Meeting to Review Massive Bengal Poll Defeat

Kolkata, May 15: Mamata Banerjee has convened a crucial organisational meeting of the All India Trinamool Congress at her Kalighat residence in South Kolkata on Friday to assess the reasons behind the party’s crushing defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.

The high-level meeting is expected to witness participation from party candidates who contested the elections across all 294 Assembly constituencies, including both winning and defeated candidates, along with several senior leaders of the party.

According to party sources, discussions will focus on analysing the electoral setbacks, identifying organisational weaknesses and preparing a strategy to rebuild the party structure after one of the biggest defeats in the Trinamool Congress’ political history.

Results for 293 of the 294 Assembly seats were declared on May 4. The Bharatiya Janata Party registered a sweeping victory by winning 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to just 80 seats.

The result marked a dramatic political shift in West Bengal, ending the Trinamool Congress’ long dominance in the state.

Repolling for the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district is scheduled for May 21 after polling in the constituency was cancelled earlier. The result for the seat will be declared on May 24.

A senior Trinamool Congress MLA, who managed to retain his seat despite the party’s overall poor performance, confirmed that the Falta bypoll strategy would also be discussed during Friday’s meeting.

Party leaders are expected to deliberate on campaign planning, booth-level coordination and mobilisation efforts for the repoll.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the election process, alleging large-scale irregularities during vote counting.

In a social media post accompanied by a video message released on Thursday night, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the election outcome did not reflect the actual mandate of the people due to what he described as “massive poll misappropriations”.

He alleged that irregularities were particularly visible on counting day and accused Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel of assisting in the alleged manipulation process at several counting centres.

“Our candidates and counting agents were forcibly removed in several places, while the counting process was effectively controlled by Central government employees,” Abhishek Banerjee alleged in his message.

The Trinamool Congress leader also accused the Centre of failing to prevent post-poll violence in the state.

According to him, despite repeated assurances regarding security arrangements, party workers and supporters were allegedly targeted after the declaration of results.

“Central forces remained mute spectators as our workers, offices, and homes were attacked and set ablaze,” he claimed.

Abhishek Banerjee, who is also Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and considered one of the key strategists of the party, urged Trinamool Congress workers not to lose morale despite the electoral setback.

“Stay united. Stay on the ground. Continue serving the people with courage, discipline, and positivity. Our fight will continue with unwavering determination and faith in democracy,” he said in his appeal to party cadres.

Political observers believe Friday’s meeting could prove crucial in determining the future course of the Trinamool Congress as it attempts to reorganise itself after the massive electoral setback.

Team Maverick.