Trinamool MP, six MLAs join Suvendu’s meeting, say ‘it’s for development
In a significant political development in West Bengal, senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and four-term Member of Parliament Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar participated in an administrative review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in North 24 Parganas. The presence of the veteran lawmaker at a government meeting led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister signals a shifting landscape in state politics following the recent assembly elections.
The meeting marks a departure from established traditions under the previous TMC regime, as Chief Minister Adhikari has explicitly encouraged opposition representatives to participate in administrative proceedings. During the session, the Chief Minister addressed the attendees, stating, “This culture needed to change. Today a number of MLAs from Basirhat joined. We gave opportunity for an MLA to speak. We want work together for development. Except in the times of elections there should not be political bickering.”
Internal Shifts and Dissent
The attendance of Ms. Ghosh Dastidar, who recently stepped down from her position as the TMC’s organizational district president for Barasat, has drawn intense scrutiny. Her presence follows a series of internal changes within the party, including her replacement by Kalyan Banerjee as the party’s Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha in August 2025. When questioned about her participation in the administrative meeting, she remarked, “Administration is for everyone.”
The meeting was also attended by several TMC MLAs, including Anisur Rahman Bidesh, Burhan-ul-Mukaddin (Liton), Bina Mandal, Surjit Mitra (Badal), Usharani Mandal, and Abdul Matin. Many of these legislators indicated that they attended the meeting in response to an official invitation from the state government and that the party had issued no directives prohibiting their participation.
Broader Implications
The movement of TMC lawmakers toward the current administration appears to extend beyond mere courtesy. Later on the same day, MLAs Ritabarata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha were observed in the room of Speaker Rathindranath Bose during a visit by the Chief Minister. This follows a previous chance encounter between Mr. Banerjee and the Chief Minister at Banga Bhawan in Delhi.
Discomfort within the TMC ranks has been further highlighted by MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy. In a cryptic public statement, Mr. Roy referenced the assassination of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, linking the historical event to the recent political climate in West Bengal. He stated, “On 44 BC, the Roman Emperor Julius Ceaser was stabbed to death in the Senate on the Ides of March. As per Roman calendar, Ides generally meant for 15th of March, May, July and October. But before Ides of May, people of West Bengal put an end to unbearable anarchical situation.”
Observers suggest that if more party members continue to engage directly with the current administration, the Trinamool Congress may face further internal strain. A possible next step includes increased pressure on the party leadership to address these dissenting voices or risk further erosion of their legislative ranks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar attend the meeting?
When asked about her presence, the MP stated that “administration is for everyone.”
What is the new policy regarding opposition participation in government meetings?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has stated that MPs and MLAs from opposition parties are welcome to join administrative meetings to foster development and reduce political bickering.
What was the nature of the recent comments made by MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy?
Mr. Roy shared a cryptic post comparing the current political situation in West Bengal to the assassination of Julius Caesar, suggesting that the people of the state had ended an “anarchical situation.”
How might this shift in administrative engagement fundamentally alter the power dynamics in West Bengal?