Long‑time Trinamool stalwart Madan Mitra, once dubbed Mamata Banerjee’s “colourful boy,” announced on Wednesday that he has switched allegiance to the rebel TMC camp led by opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee. The decision shocked party insiders, as Mitra was widely regarded as one of Mamata’s most loyal foot‑soldiers.

Early Political Journey

Mitra entered politics in the volatile student movements of the 1970s, serving as a close aide to former Union minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi. By the 1990s he had become a formidable Congress organiser in South Kolkata, building a grassroots network that included the taxi drivers’ union, the staff union at SSKM Government Hospital, and numerous youth clubs. His ability to connect with residents across party lines earned him a reputation as an approachable leader.

Rise Within Trinamool Congress

When Mamata founded the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) in 1998, Mitra joined as a founding member. He was appointed the party’s general secretary in 2000 and later became president of the Trinamool Youth Congress in 2004. Known for his organisational acumen, he helped mobilise massive crowds for the party’s campaigns.

Electoral Record and Legal Setbacks

Mitra first won a West Bengal Assembly seat from Kamarhati in 2011, securing key portfolios such as Sports, Youth Affairs and Transport. However, his career hit a major snag on December 13, 2014, when the CBI arrested him in the Saradha chit‑fund scandal. After spending 27 months in custody, he was released on bail in September 2016. He lost the 2016 election while incarcerated but reclaimed Kamarhati in 2021 and again in 2026 with 64,817 votes (43.71% share).

ED Summons and Defection

The Enforcement Directorate recently summoned Mitra’s family members for questioning over an alleged municipal recruitment scam. The timing of the summons—just a day before his public break from the TMC—has led many analysts to view the move as a protective strategy. In his statement, Mitra accused Mamata of allowing her nephew Abhishek Banerjee to dominate the party, saying he could no longer work under such a hierarchy.

Reactions and Political Implications

Ritabrata Banerjee welcomed Mitra, calling him a “veteran leader” whose entry strengthens the rebel bloc. The BJP’s state president, Samik Bhattacharya, dismissed the development as a “colourful personality” shift, while noting Mitra’s historic loyalty to the TMC. Analysts warn that Mitra’s defection may trigger further fissures within the party, potentially reshaping the electoral map ahead of the next West Bengal assembly elections. The rebel camp now possesses a seasoned legislator and a charismatic public figure, which could challenge Mamata’s dominance and force a re‑evaluation of internal power structures.

Editor Comment: Mitra’s exit underscores growing discontent over centralized control in the TMC and could herald a realignment of West Bengal’s political forces, making the upcoming elections far more unpredictable.