Santanu Sen Quits TMC, Fresh Blow to Mamata Banerjee Camp

Kolkata sees fresh political shock as Santanu Sen exits TMC

In a significant political development in West Bengal, senior leader Santanu Sen has resigned from the All India Trinamool Congress, delivering another setback to the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Party insiders confirmed that Sen submitted his resignation on Wednesday evening, though the exact reasons behind his decision have not been officially disclosed. The move has triggered fresh political chatter across Kolkata and other parts of the state, where the ruling party has been managing internal strains in recent months.

The resignation comes barely a day after renewed internal discussions involving senior MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, further fuelling speculation that all is not well within the party’s organisational structure.

Background: Rising internal friction in TMC

The Trinamool Congress has been facing increasing questions over internal coordination and leadership alignment ahead of crucial political cycles in West Bengal. While the party remains dominant in the state, a series of resignations and public disagreements have highlighted underlying tensions.

Santanu Sen, a well-known face in Bengal politics and a former Rajya Sabha member, has often been vocal on organisational issues. Over the past year, his public appearances had reduced, and political observers noted his gradual distancing from key party events.

Political analysts believe this resignation is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of dissatisfaction among some senior leaders who feel sidelined in decision-making processes.

Key developments and reactions

Though no official statement has been issued by Sen explaining his exit in detail, sources close to the development suggest differences over organisational roles and communication gaps within the party structure.

A senior TMC functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the leadership was “aware of certain grievances” but did not expect the resignation to happen at this stage.

Party spokespersons have maintained that the organisation remains united and such exits will not impact governance or electoral strength.

Opposition parties, however, have seized on the development, calling it evidence of “growing instability” within the ruling establishment. BJP leaders in West Bengal have claimed that more leaders may follow suit in the coming weeks, though no evidence has been provided for such assertions.

Impact on Bengal politics

The resignation is expected to have limited immediate impact on governance but could influence internal dynamics within the party structure.

For the ruling establishment, even symbolic exits matter. The perception of unity has been a key strength for All India Trinamool Congress, and repeated resignations risk feeding narratives of internal fragmentation.

Political experts suggest that while the leadership of Mamata Banerjee remains strong, managing senior-level dissatisfaction will be crucial in the coming months, especially with local organisational restructuring underway.

In districts like Haldia, Midnapore, and North Bengal, party workers are reportedly watching developments closely, as leadership stability often reflects directly on ground-level mobilisation.

What happens next

At this stage, Santanu Sen has not announced his next political move. Whether he joins another party, remains independent, or takes a break from active politics is still unclear.

Inside the TMC, discussions are expected to intensify over preventing further exits and stabilising internal communication channels. Party leadership is likely to hold closed-door meetings with regional coordinators in the coming days.

Observers believe the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether this resignation remains an isolated incident or signals a larger trend of dissatisfaction within the organisation.