In yet another blow to Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, her loyalist Anubrata Mandal on Saturday joined the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction.
Mandal, popularly known as “Kesto”, has been appointed the Birbhum district president of the dissident Trinamool Congress faction, marking a significant political shift in the state’s evolving political landscape.
Speculation over Mandal’s move gathered pace on Friday after reports emerged that he was set to join the anti-Kalighat faction of the party.
The development was formally confirmed on Saturday following a meeting of the newly constituted state committee of the rebel outfit, where district-level organisational appointments were announced.
According to party sources, the state committee of the dissident Trinamool faction was formed on Friday. At Saturday’s meeting, Mandal’s name was announced as the Birbhum district president.
The appointment has drawn attention as it brings together leaders who were once at odds within the Trinamool Congress. The long-running political rivalry between Anubrata Mandal and Kajal Sheikh, which had been blamed by many for the party’s organisational setbacks in Birbhum, appears to have been set aside in the rival camp. Former leaders such as Ashis Banerjee and Abhijit Singh, who had earlier resigned while accusing Mandal of undermining the organisation, are now part of the same political platform.
The development has also prompted reactions from the Opposition, with both the CPI(M) and the BJP taking a swipe at the new alignment.
Reacting to his appointment, Mandal said, “I was the Trinamool district president. I remained so even after returning from jail. Then suddenly I was removed.”
Despite the organisational changes in the Trinamool Congress, Mandal maintained that he remains confident about his political standing and organisational strength in Birbhum.