CM Mamata directs Anubrata Mondal to work with Birbhum core committee, ending solo leadership

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee has officially instructed Anubrata Mondal to collaborate with the newly established Birbhum core committee, marking a significant shift in the district's political landscape following Mondal's release from jail. Mondal was incarcerated for several months due to allegations related to cattle smuggling and has been a dominant figure in Birbhum's TMC unit for years. His return to political activity comes with renewed scrutiny over his leadership approach, particularly in light of the core committee's involvement during his absence.

The core committee was created by Banerjee herself to manage the TMC's operations in Birbhum while Mondal was detained. This committee has been instrumental in overseeing district strategies, including the recent Lok Sabha elections, where they effectively navigated party responsibilities in Mondal’s absence. With the committee successfully handling these duties, Banerjee's directive aims to integrate Mondal back into a structured leadership framework that encourages collaboration rather than isolated authority.

Since his release, Anubrata Mondal has made a series of public appearances, including the traditional Bijoya Sammilani celebrations, which he hosted independently. Notably, he did not include any core committee members in these events, raising concerns among party officials about potential factionalism within the TMC ranks. The absence of joint appearances with key figures like Kajal Sheikh has further fueled speculation about the unity of the party in Birbhum.

In a direct move to address these concerns, Mamata Banerjee reached out to members of the core committee, instructing them to ensure that Mondal understands the necessity of collaborative leadership. During this communication, she emphasized that effective governance in Birbhum cannot rely on a single leader and must involve collective decision-making to maintain party integrity and focus. This reflects Banerjee’s strategic approach to manage potential rifts within the party and ensure continued electoral success.

Kajal Sheikh, a prominent member of the core committee, commented on the recent developments, affirming that he had met with Mondal at the party office. He noted that the lack of public appearances together is attributed to their separate responsibilities within the party structure. Sheikh reiterated the importance of following Banerjee's directives, highlighting her role as the guiding force for TMC in West Bengal.