TMC Announces Organisational Restructuring Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections

PTI, KOLKATA, MAY 16, 2025 : The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday announced its much-anticipated organisational reshuffle, revamping district-level leadership across West Bengal in a calibrated effort to strike a balance between trusted old guards and emerging next-generation leaders ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Pending for over a year, the reshuffle aims to impose greater discipline, curb factionalism, and prepare for the high-stakes Assembly polls next year, as the TMC eyes a straight fourth term in power.

The most telling move came in Birbhum, where the TMC dropped controversial strongman Anubrata Mondal from the post of district president, a post he had held unchallenged for years. In a significant structural shift, the party abolished the post altogether in the district, opting instead for a nine-member core committee, handpicked by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, to oversee the organisation.

The symbolism was sharp. Mondal, still out on bail in connection with a cattle smuggling case, has been included in the new core committee but stripped of unilateral control. The post of district chairperson in Birbhum remains, with senior MLA Ashis Banerjee continuing in that role. But the control now lies squarely with the collective, not the individual, party sources said.

Out of the 35 organisational districts, changes have been brought in 18, and in some, the posts of district chairperson and president are yet to be announced.

In North Kolkata, 76-year-old party MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is also the leader of the party in Lok Sabha, was appointed as district chairperson of Kolkata (North), a move seen as Mamata Banerjee's way of retaining experienced hands in critical urban turf while simultaneously grooming younger leaders across several districts.

"This reshuffle is as much about asserting control as it is about future-proofing the party. We are heading into a decisive election, and the leadership wants a blend of loyalty, discipline, and performance," a senior TMC leader said.

The reshuffle, spanning several districts, is being viewed as Mamata's attempt to impose greater discipline, reduce factionalism, and prepare the TMC machinery for a tough electoral battle next year. While many veterans have been retained in ceremonial or advisory roles, the growing presence of younger, grassroots-connected leaders is unmistakable.

Political observers say the changes reflect a maturing party seeking to institutionalise its inner workings after years of relying heavily on charismatic or controversial local satraps.

MP: In a major move aimed at streamlining its internal structure ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday announced a significant organisational reshuffle, replacing several district presidents and forming new core committees in key regions.

The restructuring, carried out on the instructions of party supremo Mamata Banerjee, reflects the party’s focus on strengthening grassroots coordination, curbing factionalism, and improving organisational discipline.

Among the most notable changes is the abolition of the district president post in Birbhum — a stronghold of the party. In its place, a seven-member core committee has been constituted. The party dropped controversial strongman Anubrata Mondal from the post of district president, although he has been included as a member of the new core committee. Mondal is currently out on bail in connection with a cattle smuggling case.

The Birbhum core committee now includes Avijit Sinha, Anubrata Mondal, Ashis Banerjee, Chandranath Sinha, Bikash Roychowdhury, Sudipto Ghosh, and Kajal Sheikh. Senior MLA Ashis Banerjee will continue as district chairperson, but sources confirmed that decision-making power has now been transferred from individuals to a collective body. Birbhum MPs Satabdi Roy and Asit Mal have been included as invitee members.

Similarly, no new district president has been announced for Kolkata North. Instead, a nine-member core committee has been formed, consisting of Shashi Panja, Nayna Bandopadhyay, Atin Ghosh, Paresh Pal, Supti Pandey, Swarnakamal Saha, Swapan Samaddar, Jiban Saha, and Vivek Gupta. Senior leader and MP Sudip Bandopadhyay has been appointed chairperson of the district.

Out of TMC’s 35 organisational districts, changes have been implemented in 18. In some cases, the names of district presidents and chairpersons are yet to be finalised.

In Howrah town, Kalyan Ghosh was replaced by Goutam Chowdhury as district president, while Arunava Sen retained his post in Howrah Gramin. In East Midnapore’s Tamluk district, Asit Chatterjee was replaced by Sujit Kumar Roy.

In the northern part of the state, Sanjay Tibrewal has been appointed district chairperson of Darjeeling (plains), although the post of district president remains vacant. In Darjeeling Hills, Shanta Chettri has taken over as district president, with LB Rai named as the new district chairperson.

The reshuffle was first hinted at during a TMC organisational workshop held at Netaji Indoor Stadium on February 27. At the event, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had stated that a restructuring was inevitable. Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Abhishek conducted internal reviews of leaders' performance across various levels, laying the groundwork for Friday’s announcements.

The revamp is being viewed as part of a broader strategy to prepare the party for a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026, where TMC will be seeking a fourth consecutive term in power