After suffering one of the biggest political setbacks in West Bengal’s recent history, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has delivered a blunt message to unhappy leaders within the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC): if they want to leave, they are free to go.
Speaking at a meeting with the party’s contesting candidates at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee reportedly urged party workers and leaders to focus on rebuilding the organisation after the TMC’s crushing defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections.
The meeting was attended by senior party leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, amid growing speculation over internal dissatisfaction and possible defections following the election results.
According to reports, Mamata Banerjee told party leaders that the Trinamool Congress would rise again despite the setback. She reportedly said that those who wanted to join other parties could do so, while those staying back should help rebuild damaged party offices and strengthen the organisation from the ground up.
The TMC suffered a dramatic fall in the 2026 elections, winning only 80 out of 293 counted seats, compared to its dominant performance in the previous election. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the state after years of fierce political rivalry with the Trinamool Congress.
In another major setback for the party, Mamata Banerjee herself lost from Bhabanipur, a constituency long considered her political stronghold.
Despite the defeat, Banerjee struck a defiant tone during the meeting. She reportedly alleged that the people’s mandate had been “looted” and insisted that the party would continue its political fight.
The TMC later shared photographs from the Kalighat meeting on social media, praising its candidates for standing firm during what it described as a difficult and intimidating election campaign.
Party insiders said the gathering was aimed at boosting morale and preventing further cracks within the organisation at a time when several leaders are believed to be reconsidering their political future.
The results have triggered intense political debate across West Bengal, with analysts closely watching whether the TMC can reorganise itself after losing power following three consecutive terms in office.
