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Sources said seven bypolls are to be held on November 13 with the results to be out on November 23, and a decision on the changes may be taken after that
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. File pic
Will there be big changes in the Trinamool Congress by the end of this year? That’s the question buzzing in the political circles of West Bengal. The party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said he has suggested a reorganisation in underperforming municipalities to chief minister and TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee.
The April-June Lok Sabha poll results showed the TMC did not perform well in certain municipal areas. Party insiders stated that an in-depth report had been taken from different districts, and then Abhishek Banerjee prepared a new list suggesting major changes in certain areas. He has also advocated for changing party unit presidents in about ten districts.
Abhishek went to the United States for a squint surgery last month and submitted his proposals to the party chief in a detailed report before the procedure. The roles of the chairman, vice chairman, and councillors have been analysed. “I have sent it to the CM. She will make the final decision,” he said.
Birbhum district has always been important for TMC as its strongman Anubrata Mondal was in charge there. While Mondal was in jail recently, the party formed a core committee to run the organisation there. “The party should continue with the core committee set up in Birbhum. They have performed well. This is the personal opinion of Abhishek Banerjee. The results have been excellent compared to 2019. The core committee’s performance has been outstanding, so it should be maintained,” said the report.
Certain district presidents have been proposed to be changed based on performance. This decision was made after reviewing the Lok Sabha election results. Abhishek has sent a list of potential changes to Mamata. Currently, there are 35 organisational districts set for changes. Several district presidents may be replaced.
Sources said seven bypolls are to be held on November 13 with the results to be out on November 23. A decision on the changes may take place after that.
During the protests and outrage over the rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital recently, Abhishek raised certain questions on the role of the state administration. The incident created a negative image of the TMC and its government in many urban areas, party insiders believe. Many of them also feel that Abhishek Banerjee, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, will work hard in those urban areas to ensure a course correction.
Thursday was Abhishek Banerjee’s birthday and a large number of supporters came to greet him. A day before that, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh stated that Abhishek was his leader and the future of the TMC.
There has been a long-running tussle between the old and new guards in TMC. Abhishek Banerjee has frequently said that the old people have to make way and there should be a definite age limit for working in politics. However, 67-year-old TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday cited 78-year-old Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections and said that if somebody is capable then age is not a factor.
