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🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

TMC Overhauls Party Structure, Cuts Ties with Consultants Amid Crisis

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is reorganizing its party structure following an electoral defeat and internal dissent.
  • Key decisions will now be made directly by party leadership, reducing reliance on external consultants like I-PAC.
  • This strategic shift aims to stabilize the party ranks amid ongoing defections and internal rifts, with leaders expressing dissatisfaction with I-PAC's influence.

Facing significant electoral losses and a wave of internal dissent, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is undertaking a major organizational overhaul. Party leaders have indicated a decisive shift away from relying on external consultants, with key decisions now to be handled directly by the party's top leadership.

This strategic recalibration comes as the TMC grapples with a series of setbacks, including defections of senior leaders and internal friction. A senior party leader stated that the TMC has decided "not to outsource its organizational works." Instead, party chief Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee will reportedly meet people daily at their Kalighat residence and the party office, signaling a return to direct leadership engagement.

not to outsource its organizational works

— senior TMC leaderDescribing the party's new approach to internal organization.

The party's association with I-PAC, a political consultancy firm, has come under scrutiny. While I-PAC played a significant role in the TMC's election preparations, particularly since the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls, its influence in key organizational decisions in recent years has drawn criticism. Some party insiders and leaders have openly voiced concerns, with TMC's Lok Sabha chief whip Kalyan Banerjee stating, "I-PAC hijacked our organisation and created rifts within the party." Allegations of I-PAC officials soliciting bribes from candidates have also surfaced.

This renewed emphasis on the party headquarters and Kalighat signifies a move away from Camac Street, which had emerged as a hub for political and organizational decision-making associated with Abhishek Banerjee. The organizational changes are critical as the TMC seeks to rebuild its strength. The party has recently lost a substantial number of MLAs to a splinter group, seen a significant portion of its Lok Sabha MPs seeking a merger with another party, and faced resignations from Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials ahead of upcoming municipal elections.

I-PAC hijacked our organisation and created rifts within the party.

— Kalyan BanerjeeExpressing criticism of the political consultancy firm's influence.
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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