Rebellion, mayor exits: Mamata Banerjee's TMC faces one of its biggest challenges ever

THe Trinamool us congress (TMC), years after a devastating licking against the Bharatiya Janata company (BJP) in the recently concluded state elections, is grappling with a rebellion in its legislative ranks after losing power in West Bengal.After a major setback with Speaker recognising 58 rebel TMC legislators as the principal opposition bloc, the Mamata Banerjee-led party is now facing a fresh challenge in its urban political structure as uncertainty surrounds the future of senior leaders holding key mayoral positions.Speaker Rathindra Nath Bose on Wednesday recognised 58 rebel TMC legislators, led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, as the principal opposition bloc. The rebels have accused the party leadership of functioning in an authoritarian manner and have openly challenged the role of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.The Firhad Hakim questionAgainst this backdrop, questions have emerged over the future of Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim, one of TMC's most influential urban leaders, whose reported resignation remains in limbo.Earlier this week, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh announced that party supremo Mamata Banerjee had accepted Hakim's request to step down."At that time, he was asked not to resign. However, he again requested Mamata Banerjee today to allow him to step down, following which she agreed," PTI news agency quoted Ghosh as saying.However, the resignation has not formally reached the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the news agency reported.KMC chairperson Mala Roy said, "I am yet to receive Firhad Hakim's resignation. As per norms, if the mayor wants to resign, he needs to submit it to me."The uncertainty intensified after Hakim attended an administrative meeting at Nabanna chaired by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, a move that reportedly triggered disagreements within sections of the TMC leadership.According to a senior TMC leader familiar with the developments, "Firhad Hakim stood his ground and said he did the right thing by attending the administrative meeting as an MLA and Mayor. Politics and administration should not be confused."The same leader added: "Firhad Hakim has not taken any final decision on resignation so far. Till a few days back, he was keen on resigning, but now he is having second thoughts about it."Hakim's uncertain future comes amid reports of organisational strain within the TMC and a series of resignations by councillors in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in recent weeks.Bidhannagar mayor resignsAdding to the party's troubles, Krishna Chakraborty reportedly resigned as the mayor of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation on Thursday.A close associate of Mamata Banerjee, Chakraborty said her decision was personal."This is entirely my personal decision. I have been in this chair for 16 years. I have no grudge against anyone. I have followed the rules to resign. I want to give some time to myself. I want to work as a councillor," PTI quoted Chakraborty as saying.Municipal officials confirmed receiving her resignation."We have received her letter expressing her desire to step down. She has also marked copies of her resignation to the municipal affairs minister and the additional chief secretary of the department," an official said.Internal revoltThe developments come as the TMC struggles to contain an internal revolt in the Assembly following its electoral defeat.Ritabrata Banerjee, recognised by the Speaker as the leader of the Opposition, said: "TMC's West Bengal legislative party in the 88th assembly has no leader. We oppose authoritarian leadership. We are a team of 58 as of now. Two more MLAs are currently out of station. They will announce their decision later. We are not taking any responsibility for the 20 other TMC MLAs."He also appealed directly to Mamata Banerjee while distancing the group from Abhishek Banerjee."Mamata Banerjee is a tall leader. We appeal to her to be our principal adviser. We can play a positive and constructive role as the opposition with her advice. If we have to vote against a bill we will, but we won't walk out to help someone else," an earlier HT report quoted Ritabrata Banerjee as saying.On Abhishek Banerjee, Ritabrata said: "Abhishek Banerjee has nothing to do with the TMC legislative party or this assembly. Our decison was not taken at any corporate office. It was not thrust upon us or imposed by an advisory company. This is a fight against individualism."Akhruzzaman, appointed chief whip by the rebel camp, linked the rebellion to dissatisfaction within the party."We are all TMC MLAs. Mamata Banerjee is our leader. But why did we come to this point? Our leadership failed to select the leader of the Opposition in the proper manner. The party has become a laughing stock. We came forward to save its face. We appeal to Mamata Banerjee to recognise us and guide us," he said.Mamata's biggest challenge everParallelly, the TMC has dissolved all its organisational committees in West Bengal and announced a comprehensive review of its structure."The party will undertake a comprehensive exercise of introspection, performance review and organisational assessment at every level. Based on the findings of this exercise, the organisational structure of the parent body and all frontal organisations will be reconstituted and announced in due course. The party remains committed to strengthening its organisation and preparing it to meet future challenges with renewed vigour and purpose," the party said.Rejecting the Speaker's decision, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh maintained: "TMC was there, is there and will be there. An MLA expelled by the party cannot become the leader of the opposition."With uncertainty surrounding key civic leaders, resignations in municipal bodies, and a rebellion among legislators, former chief minister Mamata Banerjee's TMC faces one of its most significant organisational challenges in recent years as it attempts to rebuild after its electoral defeat.