Ending years of speculation and political estrangement, former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee and his close associate Baisakhi Banerjee formally returned to the Trinamul Congress (TMC) on Monday afternoon, marking a significant homecoming ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The duo was welcomed back into the party fold at the Trinamul Bhavan by state president Subrata Bakshi and minister Aroop Biswas. “Everyone who believes in Mamata Banerjee’s ideals will eventually return to her,” said Biswas, making it clear that the door of the ruling party remains open to former colleagues willing to reconcile. Expressing his emotions after re-joining the party, Sovan Chatterjee said: “This is a homecoming for me — words cannot describe how it feels to return to one’s own family. Trinamul flows through my veins.”
He added that he was “grateful and humbled” by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s faith in him. Soon after the induction ceremony, Sovan and Baisakhi drove to Kalighat, where they met Abhishek Banerjee to formally discuss their political role within the organisation. Sources said the meeting lasted nearly an hour, with both sides describing the interaction as “warm and constructive.”
Sovan, once one of Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted lieutenants, had resigned as mayor of Kolkata and minister in 2018 amid personal and political differences. In March 2021, he joined the BJP along with Baisakhi Banerjee ahead of the state elections. However, their stint in the saffron camp was short-lived, marked by internal friction and disillusionment. The duo quit the BJP soon after, distancing themselves from active politics while maintaining contact with some Trinamul leaders.
Their return was preceded by a series of behind-the-scenes developments. In September, Sovan and Baisakhi met Abhishek Banerjee at his Kalighat office for a two-hour closed-door discussion, where they reportedly expressed their willingness to work for the party again. Later, during the chief minister’s visit to north Bengal, Sovan held a private meeting with her in the hills, further fuelling speculation of his re-entry. Reacting to his formal reintroduction, Sovan said: “The CM’s trust in me is my greatest honour. I am ready to work in any capacity the party leadership assigns.”
After the duo’s meeting with Abhishek, the TMC national general secretary, briefing the Media, expressed full confidence in Sovan Chatterjee. He said: “Sovan Chatterjee had maintained contact with the party chairperson for the past five to six years, though he remained away from active politics. Now that he has returned, I am confident he will work for the Trinamul Congress in accordance with the directions of the party leadership.” Although his re-entry has been formalised, no announcement has yet been made regarding Sovan’s organisational role. Speculation is already rife in political circles whether he will be given a key responsibility or fielded as a candidate in the 2026 Assembly elections. Abhishek Banerjee said: “Everyone has the right to choose their political affiliation. Sovan Chatterjee had stayed away from active politics for some time but remained in regular touch with the party chairperson. With her approval, both Sovan-da and Baisakhi-di have been brought back into the Trinamul fold. In the coming days, they will actively work for the Trinamul Congress.”