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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

Corruption, Abhishek Banerjee's Influence Fuel TMC Crisis: Rebel MP Satabdi Roy

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Satabdi Roy blames corruption and the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee for the party's crisis following the 2026 election defeat.
  • Roy stated that corruption is the primary reason for public discontent with the TMC, citing a "vacuum" in leadership and Mamata Banerjee's perceived unwillingness to listen.
  • She also criticized Mamata Banerjee for handing over decision-making to Abhishek Banerjee, questioning his "arrogant" leadership style and the alienation of older party members.

Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Satabdi Roy has identified corruption and the increasing sway of national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as key factors contributing to the party's current crisis. These issues, she argues, have fueled public discontent following the TMC's significant defeat in the 2026 state assembly elections.

Graft key reason for public discontent with TMC

— Satabdi RoyHeadline statement summarizing her main criticism.

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Roy asserted that corruption is the "main thing" driving public dissatisfaction with the TMC. She suggested that voters have repeatedly hoped for improvements, drawing an analogy to giving a spouse time even during a marital crisis. Roy described a "vacuum" within the party, implying that Mamata Banerjee's leadership has become less accessible and responsive to party leaders' concerns.

There are a hundred other issues, but the main thing is corruption.

— Satabdi RoyIdentifying corruption as the primary cause of public dissatisfaction.

Roy also expressed reservations about Abhishek Banerjee's prominent role, suggesting that a combination of Mamata's experience and Abhishek's newer ideas could have been beneficial. However, she criticized Mamata Banerjee for delegating all decision-making power to him, deeming it "wrong." Roy echoed criticisms from other rebels who describe Abhishek Banerjee's leadership as centralized and "arrogant," leading to the sidelining of veteran party members and an over-reliance on external consultants.

Sometimes it’s also like ‘chalo iss baar toh theek ho jayega’ (maybe things will improve this time). Even when you divorce your husband, you give them some time.

— Satabdi RoyExplaining voter patience and the prolonged nature of the party's issues.

Furthermore, Roy observed a change in Mamata Banerjee's temperament over time, noting that the chief minister was more accessible and "lovable" when she first joined the party. Roy expressed disappointment that the party leadership has not made significant efforts to understand the reasons behind leaders' departures, lamenting Mamata Banerjee's alleged unwillingness to discuss these issues.

If Mamata’s experience and Abhishek’s new and innovative ideas came together, it could have been a very good combination. But unfortunately that did not happen. Mamata Banerjee handed over every decision to Abhishek Banerjee. I think that is wrong because she depends fully on him.

— Satabdi RoyCritiquing the delegation of power from Mamata Banerjee to Abhishek Banerjee.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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