The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is staring at one of its most severe internal crises in years. Ajmal Siddiqui, the party’s minority cell leader, has resigned, accusing Abhishek Banerjee of running a ‘dictatorial’ party. The exit, coming days after 58 rebel MLAs took control of the legislature party, signals that the TMC’s internal fractures are widening — and may be beyond repair.
What Ajmal Siddiqui said in his resignation letter
Siddiqui, a prominent face of the TMC’s minority outreach, submitted his resignation on [date], citing growing disillusionment with the party’s leadership. In his letter, he reportedly blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the party’s collapse, describing his style as ‘dictatorial’ and accusing him of sidelining senior leaders and grassroots workers. “The party has lost its democratic character,” Siddiqui wrote, according to sources familiar with the letter. He also expressed disappointment over the TMC’s handling of minority issues, a core constituency for the party in Bengal.
Why this resignation matters for the TMC
The minority cell leader’s exit is not just a symbolic blow. The TMC has long relied on Muslim voters as a key support base, especially after the 2021 assembly elections. Siddiqui’s departure could erode trust among minority communities, who may see it as a sign that the party is no longer listening to their concerns. For Abhishek Banerjee, who has been positioning himself as the party’s future face, the accusation of dictatorial leadership is particularly damaging. It reinforces a narrative that the TMC is becoming a family-run outfit, alienating its own loyalists.
Timeline of the TMC’s deepening crisis
The current turmoil began after the TMC lost power in Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a shock defeat that exposed internal rifts. In the weeks that followed, 58 rebel MLAs — a significant chunk of the party’s legislative strength — broke away and took control of the TMC legislature party, effectively forming a parallel power centre. Siddiqui’s resignation is the latest in a series of exits that include several district-level leaders and former ministers. The party, once seen as a formidable political machine under Mamata Banerjee, now appears fractured and leaderless in key regions.
Who is affected by this crisis
For ordinary TMC workers and supporters, the crisis is deeply unsettling. Many joined the party believing in Mamata Banerjee’s vision of inclusive politics. Now, they see their leaders quitting, accusing the party of abandoning its democratic roots. Minority voters, in particular, are watching closely. If the TMC loses its credibility as a champion of minority rights, it could shift allegiance to other parties, including the Congress or the Left, in future elections. For Abhishek Banerjee, the challenge is personal: he must now prove he can hold the party together without resorting to the very authoritarianism he is being accused of.
Official response from the TMC leadership
As of now, the TMC has not issued an official statement on Siddiqui’s resignation. Party sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the leadership is “assessing the situation” and may try to persuade Siddiqui to return. However, given the tone of his resignation letter, a reconciliation seems unlikely. Mamata Banerjee, who has been largely silent during the crisis, is expected to address the party’s internal issues in the coming days. Political analysts say her response will be critical in determining whether the TMC can stabilise or will continue to unravel.
What’s behind the rebellion: A deeper analysis
The TMC’s crisis is not just about one leader’s resignation. It reflects a broader struggle for control between the old guard — leaders who built the party from the ground — and the new generation led by Abhishek Banerjee. Since taking over as the party’s national general secretary, Abhishek has centralised decision-making, sidelining many senior figures. This has created resentment, especially among regional satraps who feel their influence has been eroded. The 58 rebel MLAs, many of whom are from the old guard, are demanding a return to collective leadership. Siddiqui’s resignation is a symptom of this deeper power struggle.
Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear
What is confirmed: Ajmal Siddiqui has resigned as TMC minority cell leader, citing Abhishek Banerjee’s ‘dictatorial’ style. The resignation letter has been shared with party leaders. What remains unclear: Whether Siddiqui will join another party or launch a separate political outfit. Also unclear is whether more resignations are imminent. Some reports suggest that several other minority cell members are considering quitting, but this has not been independently verified. The TMC leadership has not confirmed any plans for a reshuffle or outreach to dissidents.
Risks and balanced view of the crisis
While the TMC’s internal crisis is severe, it is not necessarily fatal. The party still has a strong organisational base in rural Bengal and a loyal voter base that may not abandon it overnight. Mamata Banerjee’s personal popularity remains high, even if her party is fractured. However, the risks are real: continued infighting could lead to a split, weakening the TMC ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Critics argue that Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership style is alienating allies and that the party needs a course correction. Supporters counter that the rebels are disgruntled leaders who lost power and are now trying to destabilise the party.
Wider trend: Internal dissent in regional parties
The TMC’s crisis is part of a larger pattern in Indian politics, where regional parties are increasingly facing internal rebellions. From the Shiv Sena’s split in Maharashtra to the YSRCP’s factionalism in Andhra Pradesh, family-run parties are struggling to manage succession and power-sharing. The TMC’s situation mirrors these trends: a charismatic founder (Mamata Banerjee) and a younger successor (Abhishek Banerjee) trying to assert control, leading to friction with established leaders. This pattern suggests that regional parties may need to adopt more democratic internal structures to survive.
What TMC workers and supporters should do now
For party workers, the immediate priority is to stay calm and avoid taking sides publicly. The leadership is likely to launch a damage-control exercise, including meetings with district leaders and minority community representatives. Supporters should wait for official communication from the party before drawing conclusions. For minority voters, it is important to assess whether the TMC can still deliver on its promises of representation and development. If the crisis deepens, voters may need to consider alternative political options that align with their interests.
Future outlook: What could happen next
In the short term, the TMC is likely to see more resignations, especially from minority cell members and district-level leaders who are loyal to Siddiqui. The party may try to appoint a new minority cell leader quickly to contain the damage. In the medium term, the 58 rebel MLAs could formalise their split, forming a separate faction or joining another party. This would significantly reduce the TMC’s legislative strength and make it harder to contest future elections. The biggest unknown is Mamata Banerjee’s role: if she intervenes decisively, she may be able to broker a truce. If not, the party could face an existential crisis.
Our Take
The TMC’s crisis is a cautionary tale about the dangers of centralising power in a party that was built on grassroots democracy. Ajmal Siddiqui’s resignation is not an isolated event; it is the latest symptom of a party struggling to manage its internal contradictions. For Abhishek Banerjee, the accusation of ‘dictatorial’ leadership is a serious blow to his political ambitions. He must now prove that he can lead with inclusivity, not just authority. For Mamata Banerjee, the challenge is to restore faith in the party’s democratic character before it is too late. The next few weeks will determine whether the TMC can survive this storm or will become another casualty of internal strife in Indian politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ajmal Siddiqui resign from the TMC?
Ajmal Siddiqui resigned as TMC minority cell leader, accusing Abhishek Banerjee of running a ‘dictatorial’ party and blaming him for the party’s collapse. He cited growing disillusionment with the leadership’s style and its handling of minority issues.
What does this resignation mean for the TMC’s minority outreach?
Siddiqui’s exit weakens the TMC’s minority outreach, as he was a key figure in connecting with Muslim voters. It could erode trust among minority communities and lead to more resignations from the party’s minority cell.
How many MLAs have rebelled against the TMC leadership?
58 rebel MLAs have taken control of the TMC legislature party, forming a parallel power centre. This is one of the biggest internal rebellions in the party’s history.
Can the TMC recover from this crisis?
Recovery is possible but depends on Mamata Banerjee’s intervention and whether the party can address internal grievances. If the rebellion spreads, the TMC could face a split, weakening its position ahead of future elections.
