TMC accepts Kalyan Banerjee’s Resignation as TMC Lok Sabha Chief Whip
In a significant move to enforce party discipline, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accepted the resignation of senior Parliament member Kalyan Banerjee from his position as Lok Sabha Chief Whip. This decision follows Banerjee’s public questioning of his fellow MPs’ attendance and his criticism of the parliamentary party’s operations. This statement came after he was blamed for poor coordination. The party’s choice to replace him with Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and appoint four-time MP Satabdi Roy as the Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha sends a clear message against public dissent. “It is a straightforward message to all; no distractions from the party agenda will be tolerated,” a senior TMC leader said.
This change is part of a larger leadership reshuffle. On Monday, August 4, 2025, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee appointed party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as the new leader in the Lok Sabha. He replaces veteran MP Sudip Bandopadhyay, who is currently unwell.
Kalyan Banerjee’s resignation follows a period of internal conflict. His public feud with fellow TMC Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra began in April during a visit to the Election Commission and has continued since. The two have criticized each other on different platforms. Additionally, during a meeting with TMC parliamentarians on Monday, Mamata Banerjee expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of coordination within the party’s Lok Sabha team, although she did not mention any specific individuals. These developments show a clear effort by TMC leadership to streamline its parliamentary operations and ensure that all members follow the party line.
