Kunal Ghosh reinstated as TMC General Secretary ahead of by-elections after 5-year removal

Kunal Ghosh has been reinstated as the General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), ahead of the crucial by-elections. This move comes after a highly publicized removal in 2019, when Ghosh was dismissed from his role following his praise for BJP candidate Tapas Ray during the Lok Sabha election campaign. His comments, made at a public event, were deemed by the party as contrary to TMC’s official stance, leading to his swift removal. This dismissal had significant repercussions within the party, as Ghosh was a well-known figure and had held key roles in TMC for many years.

In 2019, Ghosh had shared a platform with BJP’s Tapas Ray, which caused a rift within TMC. The party issued a public statement, distancing itself from Ghosh’s remarks, which were considered to be in conflict with the party’s ideology. Senior TMC leader Derek O’Brien explained in the statement that Ghosh’s comments were his personal views and did not represent the official position of the party. Ghosh, known for his outspoken nature, responded to his removal by calling the dismissal letter a “love letter,” which he mocked for its tone. Despite the public nature of his removal, Ghosh remained a vocal figure in the media and continued to speak on party matters.

Although Ghosh had been removed from the General Secretary position and stepped down as TMC spokesperson, he continued to engage with the media and represent the party on several issues. However, TMC did not formally announce his return to the spokesperson position, nor did it issue any public statements regarding his role within the party after the 2019 fallout. His return as General Secretary has come without fanfare or an official declaration from the party, making it an understated development within TMC leadership.

The reinstatement of Kunal Ghosh has been confirmed through an official memorandum submitted by TMC to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), which lists him as the General Secretary of the party. This memorandum was submitted in relation to the upcoming by-elections, though no formal announcement has been made by TMC regarding Ghosh’s return. His name appearing in the memorandum signifies that he has once again been entrusted with a senior leadership role within the party, even as the party has remained silent on the reasons behind this quiet restoration.

Ghosh had been a prominent member of TMC for many years, playing a key role in organizing party activities and managing major campaigns. His leadership as General Secretary was critical during various electoral processes. After his removal, Ghosh had continued to speak on issues related to the party, despite no longer holding an official post. His return as General Secretary signals the TMC leadership's decision to reinstate him, particularly with the upcoming by-elections in mind. However, his reinstatement appears to be handled with minimal public attention, as the party remains tight-lipped on the rationale behind the decision.