The fall of the twin flowers: How Mamata Banerjee lost control of her party

The Fall of the Twin Flowers: How Mamata Banerjee Lost Control of Her Party

The fall of the twin flowers – New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was once a monolithic entity centered on a singular leader, a single family name, and a unified political philosophy. For nearly three decades, Mamata Banerjee’s vision defined the party’s identity, with her name synonymous with its success. However, this singular narrative is now under siege as a factional challenge emerges within the party she founded in 1998.

The Unthinkable Shift

After a devastating loss in the 2026 assembly election, the TMC confronts its most severe internal crisis in 28 years. Fifty-eight of its 80 legislators have defected to support Ritabrata Banerjee, a former leader expelled from the party. The assembly speaker’s formal recognition of Banerjee as the opposition leader marks a turning point, signaling a fracture in the party’s once-unified structure.

“We would request Mamata Banerjee to be our chief adviser to this opposition front.”

The statement encapsulates the rebellion’s blend of respect and ambition, suggesting a deeper shift than mere power struggles. It implies that the TMC’s legacy may now be contested, with rival factions claiming to embody its true essence.

A Political Cycle Revisited

Five years prior, Mamata Banerjee had orchestrated a historic triumph, ending the Left’s 34-year grip on West Bengal. Her 2011 victory, hailed as a “change, not revenge” moment, reshaped the political landscape. Yet, as with past transitions, the machinery of power quickly adapted. The CPM’s network of local committees, panchayats, and trade unions had long governed the state, and their remnants soon aligned with the new ruling party.

“Badla nahi, badlav.”

BJP leaders echoed Mamata’s 2011 rhetoric during their 2026 triumph, framing their rise as a continuation of the same reformist ethos. However, the reality proved more complex. Post-poll tensions flared, with Trinamool workers reporting intimidation and party offices struggling to maintain their former dominance.

The Psychology of Power

For 15 years, access to government contracts, influence, and protection flowed through the TMC. The party’s stronghold over Bengal’s political machinery created an ecosystem where loyalty to Mamata was synonymous with success. Now, that system has been disrupted. The BJP’s 207-seat majority has shifted the balance, leaving Mamata to grapple with a power vacuum she once controlled.

The 2026 election also marked a personal blow. Mamata lost her Bhabanipur constituency to Suvendu Adhikari, a former ally turned rival. This symbolic defeat underscores the fragility of her dominance, as the political tides that once carried her to power now threaten to carry her away.

Legacy in Question

Mamata Banerjee’s journey from Congress to founding the TMC remains a defining chapter in Indian politics. Her 1998 departure from the Congress party set the stage for a movement that would redefine Bengal’s political identity. But as the 2026 election results show, even the most resilient institutions can erode when leadership and loyalty are challenged.

The rebellion within the TMC raises questions about the sustainability of her model. Will the party’s core values withstand the test of time, or has the cycle of power shifts become inevitable? As the political landscape evolves, the answer may determine the future of Bengal’s most influential party.