Mamata Banerjee Sets July 21 Deadline for TMC Defectors

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a severe leadership crisis following its loss in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee, the party leader and former Chief Minister, has issued an ultimatum for any members intending to join a rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee to resign by July 21. This deadline precedes a Martyrs' Day rally at the Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, which Banerjee described as a fresh start for the party.

The rift deepened on July 15 when veteran MLA Madan Mitra resigned from all national and state organizational positions to join the rebel camp. Mitra alleged that the party has become centered around Abhishek Banerjee and claimed his request for Abhishek to step aside for six months was rejected. While Mitra maintains he is still a TMC MLA, he criticized the current leadership's direction.

Banerjee defended her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, stating he is fighting like a tiger and dismissed claims that his leadership style caused the split. She attributed Mitra's defection to pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party and central agencies, specifically citing Enforcement Directorate summons issued to Mitra's family. Banerjee apologized to the public on behalf of those she termed traitors and expressed readiness to rebuild the party from scratch if necessary. The tension will culminate on July 21, as the two factions plan opposing rallies in central Kolkata.