TMC Minister Snehasis Chakraborty Quits as West Bengal Party Implodes, June 06

Former West Bengal transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty quit the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday, marking another high-profile departure from the party. More than 100 municipal councillors have also resigned. The exodus follows the BJP’s end of TMC’s 15-year rule in the 2026 assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee is now fighting to prevent further party collapse through personal appeals to wavering legislators.

The Cascade of Resignations

Snehasis Chakraborty’s departure came after Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim quit on Friday, followed by mayors Krishna Chakraborty of Bidhannagar and Ram Chakraborty of Chandannagore. Hakim, a four-time MLA and one of TMC’s most recognisable minority faces, said he could no longer discharge his responsibilities with authority. Over 100 municipal councillors have also left the party across the state, signalling a broader collapse of TMC’s urban power structures.

Rebel Camp Seizes Legislative Control

The internal crisis deepened when 58 of TMC’s 80 assembly MLAs backed expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition on Wednesday. The assembly speaker accepted this claim. The move came after allegations that signatures were forged on a letter proposing Mamata’s pick, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, for the same post. This marks the first major split in TMC’s 28-year history.

Mamata’s Damage Control Effort

Mamata Banerjee, 71, has telephoned MLAs from Howrah, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur over the past two days, requesting them to attend a meeting at her Kalighat residence. Party sources said she sought permission before each decision and told leaders she wanted to leave with her head held high. The attendance at Friday’s meeting will serve as a key indicator of her remaining control over the legislature party.

What This Means for Bengal Politics

The TMC’s collapse follows the BJP ending Mamata’s 15-year rule in the 2026 elections. The party now faces fragmentation as both urban and rural power structures crumble. With 58 MLAs already backing the rebel camp and senior leaders departing, TMC risks becoming a minority force in West Bengal politics. The party’s ability to function as an opposition depends on whether Mamata can stabilise the bleeding in the coming weeks.

Final Thoughts

Snehasis Chakraborty’s resignation signals TMC’s rapid unravelling after losing power. With over 100 councillors gone and rebels controlling the legislature party, Mamata faces her biggest political crisis in 28 years. The party’s survival now hinges on her ability to prevent further defections.

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