On August 4, 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee stunned her party colleagues and political watchers with a brief but dramatic 12-minute virtual meeting with all her party’s Members of Parliament (MPs). The outcome? Major changes in her party’s leadership in the Parliament, a wave of speculation about party discipline, and signals about the TMC’s next steps as the state gears up for the crucial 2026 assembly elections.

Mamata Banerjee reportedly entered the meeting with her mind firmly made up. She swiftly announced the removal of party veterans Kalyan Banerjee (the chief whip in Lok Sabha) and Sudip Bandopadhyay (parliamentary party leader), replacing them with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee—already considered her political heir—to lead the TMC in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament). This (and the speed of the meeting) sent shockwaves through the party ranks.

During the call, Mamata directly rebuked her MPs for poor internal coordination and infighting, blaming high-profile disputes for damaging the party’s image in the run-up to the assembly polls. She expressed disappointment at the low attendance and lack of discipline among several MPs, singling out the need for a more united front against the opposition. Reports suggest she praised the Rajya Sabha (upper house) team but was stern with the Lok Sabha MPs, warning them to stop internal quarrels and focus on “real issues”.

There are several reasons for Mamata Banerjee’s rapid shake-up:

• Internal Feuds in the TMC: A recent public quarrel between two MPs, Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, had spilled into the public domain, embarrassing the party. As feuding continued, Mamata saw the need to “clean house” and send a strong message about discipline.

• Gearing Up for Big Elections: Assembly polls in West Bengal are due in 2026. With political competition intensifying and the opposition BJP eyeing a comeback, Banerjee wants her party to be election-ready and united. The elevation of Abhishek Banerjee signals an intent to project youth, dynamism, and a succession plan to keep the party energised for the future.

• Wanting Accountability: Banerjee has repeatedly said that only workers and leaders who are sincere, hardworking, and actively serve people will be given greater roles. This decision echoes her policy of rewarding those who deliver and cutting loose those unable to keep pace, especially with the BJP’s aggressive challenge.

• Setting the Parliamentary Agenda: The meeting also set the tone for TMC’s strategy in the ongoing Parliament session—strengthening opposition to the Central government, focussing on regional identity issues, and keeping a spotlight on what she calls the Centre’s “interference” in Bengal’s affairs.

Many in the party and outside see this quick, bold move as Mamata Banerjee’s style—acting decisively without prolonged debate, emphasising loyalty, and always keeping her political grip strong. Political observers say it is both a warning to indisciplined leaders and a call to rally the troops before a high-stakes election. Some MPs expressed frustration at being blamed for broader problems, while supporters of the reshuffle feel fresh leadership was needed to reinvigorate the party’s campaign and messaging.

Looking closely, the 12-minute meeting was not just about reshuffling seats in Parliament. It was a public signal—by acting swiftly and decisively, Mamata Banerjee showcased the importance of discipline, loyalty, and readiness. She reminded her party and voters alike that the TMC intends to fight the next election as a tightly-coordinated force, with new leadership to match shifting political ground. At the same time, by promoting Abhishek Banerjee, she laid the groundwork for the next generation of party leaders—ensuring the TMC’s future stability while maintaining her own central role.

The message to her MPs was clear: With big challenges ahead, the time for infighting and slackness is over. As West Bengal’s politics heat up, one short virtual meeting has already set the tone for the battles to come.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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