The political turmoil within the All India Trinamool Congress has deepened dramatically after more than 100 councillors resigned from at least seven civic bodies across West Bengal following the party’s heavy defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections. The resignations, largely concentrated in municipalities once considered strongholds of the ruling party, have sparked concerns over the stability of several urban local bodies and exposed growing internal dissent within the organisation.
The crisis comes amid increasing criticism from senior party leaders. Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar recently resigned from her organisational post, taking moral responsibility for the party’s electoral performance and raising concerns about the “criminalisation” within the party structure. She also indirectly criticised political consultancy firm I-PAC, reflecting widening dissatisfaction among sections of the leadership.
The mass resignations have affected municipalities and corporations across Bengal, with councillors reportedly either stepping down or remaining absent from civic work. Political observers believe this could lead to administrative paralysis in some civic bodies and may even force the state government to consider appointing administrators before the next municipal elections.
The unrest has also reached the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, where tensions escalated after a council meeting controversy triggered protests by TMC councillors. Mayor Firhad Hakim reportedly came under pressure amid speculation over his resignation, although no official announcement has been made. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee subsequently called an urgent meeting of councillors and appealed for unity within the party.
Adding to the unease, poor attendance of TMC MLAs during recent protests organised by the party further highlighted internal divisions after the electoral setback. Analysts say the developments indicate one of the most serious organisational crises faced by the TMC since it came to power in 2011.
While the BJP has described the resignations as evidence of collapsing confidence within the TMC, the ruling party has accused the opposition of attempting to destabilise civic administrations through political pressure. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has alleged irregularities in the Assembly election process and claimed the TMC would have secured over 200 seats otherwise.