In a significant development for West Bengal’s political landscape, Krishna Chakraborty, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) mayor of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, tendered her resignation on Thursday. This decision came just a day after Kolkata’s Mayor Firhad Hakim stepped down from his position, marking a notable turn of events within the TMC ranks.

According to reports, Chakraborty cited “personal reasons” in her resignation letter to the municipal commissioner. A close ally of TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, she expressed her intention to continue serving as a councillor despite stepping down from her mayoral role. Chakraborty highlighted the challenges faced by the civic board in functioning effectively since the recent change in the state government, indicating deepening issues within the party.

The backdrop of these resignations is the ongoing upheaval within the TMC, which has struggled to maintain its grip on power following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The BJP’s win, which ended the TMC’s 15-year reign, has led to significant internal turmoil and factionalism within the party, further exacerbating political tensions.

Adding to the drama, expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee recently claimed that a faction of 58 out of the 80 TMC legislators had formed their own legislature wing in the Assembly, which could challenge Banerjee’s leadership. This move has raised eyebrows and indicates a potential rift among party members, particularly as Mamata Banerjee supports Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the opposition leader in the Assembly.

In a further sign of restructuring, the TMC also announced the dissolution of all its committees and organizational units across the state on Wednesday. This decision is part of a broader strategy to conduct a comprehensive review of the party’s performance and structure, aiming to strengthen its position amid the current political upheaval.

As the TMC grapples with its internal challenges and seeks to adapt to the changing political climate, the resignations of key figures like Chakraborty and Hakim highlight the urgency of addressing the party’s direction and unity. Observers will be watching closely to see how the TMC maneuvers through this period of instability and whether it can reclaim its footing in West Bengal’s dynamic political landscape.