Madan Mitra Quits Kalighat TMC, Joins Ritabrata Camp

In a significant political development in West Bengal, senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra has resigned from all party positions in the Mamata Banerjee-led "Kalighat TMC" faction and joined the rebel camp led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.

Mitra formally announced his decision on Wednesday after arriving at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and meeting Ritabrata Banerjee in his chamber. Seated alongside the Opposition leader, the veteran politician declared that he had severed ties with the Kalighat faction while insisting that he remained within the broader Trinamool Congress.

The dramatic move comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly served notices to Mitra's wife and two sons in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam. His late-night meeting with rebel camp leader Sandipan Saha had already fueled speculation about his political future.

Addressing the media, Mitra described his decision with a metaphor, saying he had "moved from one room to another," adding that he chose "a simple cot over a luxury couch." He also thanked Mamata Banerjee for standing by him over the years while confirming his participation in the Ritabrata faction's July 21 programme.

Earlier in the day, Mitra announced that he had resigned from all party posts, describing them as "designations written on banana leaves." He stressed that while he remained an elected MLA representing the people of West Bengal, he was giving up every organizational responsibility within the Kalighat faction.

Without naming anyone directly, Mitra also launched a sharp attack widely interpreted as targeting TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. He said history would remember how "one single individual brought about the ruin of an entire party that had won 213 seats."

Mitra's departure is the latest blow to the Kalighat camp as internal divisions continue to widen following the party's electoral setback. According to political sources, the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction now enjoys the backing of more than 60 MLAs, while several senior leaders have already switched allegiance.

Once regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee's closest political associates, Madan Mitra had recently been entrusted with several important organizational responsibilities, including the presidency of the Dum Dum-Barrackpore organizational district, leadership of the state hawker union, and the post of Chief Whip. His exit marks another major chapter in the ongoing turmoil within the Trinamool Congress.