The political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) deepened further after party MP Kirti Azad alleged that opposition leaders were being intimidated through central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His remarks came in the wake of senior TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya resigning from all party posts, triggering fresh unrest within the party.
Speaking to reporters, Azad claimed that several political leaders were facing pressure and threats, and those refusing to comply were being targeted by investigative agencies. He alleged that such tactics were being used to weaken opposition forces across the country. However, he did not provide specific evidence to support the allegations.
The controversy erupted after Chandrima Bhattacharya stepped down as the president of TMC's West Bengal unit and resigned from all party positions, barely a month after she had been appointed to the post. Her resignation has been seen as a major setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led camp, which has been grappling with internal divisions since the party's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Bhattacharya later said that she felt the trust and confidence that party chief Mamata Banerjee once had in her had weakened, making it difficult for her to continue working in the organisation. She also rejected questions regarding her loyalty to the party.
The TMC leadership, however, described her resignation as a "pre-planned" move and accused her of aligning with the rebel faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. Party leaders including Kunal Ghosh and Saugata Roy publicly criticised Bhattacharya, saying that she had betrayed the trust reposed in her by the party leadership.
Amid the growing crisis, Mamata Banerjee has reportedly taken over as the state president of the party in an attempt to restore organisational stability and prevent further defections. Political observers believe the latest developments expose deep divisions within the TMC and could significantly impact the party's efforts to rebuild after its electoral setback.
