Who Will Be Mamata Banerjee’s Successor? TMC Supremo Says ‘Decision To Be Made By…’

Last Updated:December 07, 2024, 12:26 IST

Mamata Banerjee clarified that the TMC stands as a disciplined party where no one can dictate terms or dominate over others.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee with her nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee | File Photo/PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that the decision on her potential successor as the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would be made collectively by the party and not her alone.

The remarks come amid the ongoing internal power struggle within the TMC party in West Bengal between the veteran leaders and younger factions.

In an exclusive interview with News18 Bangla, Mamata Banerjee dismissed the rumours around her dominance and said, “I am not the party, we are the party. It is a collective family, and decisions will be made collectively."

Banerjee clarified that the TMC stands as a disciplined party where no one can dictate terms or dominate over others. “The party will decide what is best for the people. We have MLAs, MPs, booth workers, this is a joint effort," she said.

Maintaining a balanced approach to the ongoing debate about giving more chances to the younger generation, Banerjee said, “Everyone (old and new generation leaders) is important. Today’s newcomer will be tomorrow’s veteran."

Although the TMC has not yet announced any successor for Banerjee, the remarks came amid an ongoing debate over the old guards, considered loyal to Mamata Banerjee, versus the next-generation leaders, considered close to Abhishek Banerjee.

Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC’s national general secretary and nephew of Mamata Banerjee, is considered to be more famous than any other party leader among the youth of Bengal. He’s often criticised as well by the old guards for dictating terms within the party, according to reports.

Banerjee did not mince words when addressing the role of political consultants, taking an indirect jibe at I-PAC, which has been working as TMC’s political consultant since 2019.

“Some strategists make surveys sitting at home and change them later. They can arrange things but not bring voters. It’s the booth workers who know the villages and people who actually win elections," she remarked, adding, “They are like artisans who do their work in exchange for money. But elections aren’t won by them."

The next election for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is expected to be held in March–April 2026 to elect all 294 members. In recent years, the state has seen the rise of BJP as the key opposition party.

News politics Who Will Be Mamata Banerjee’s Successor? TMC Supremo Says ‘Decision To Be Made By…’