In the midst of ongoing internal strife between senior leaders and the youth faction within the Trinamool Congress, West Bengal Chief Minister and party leader Mamata Banerjee made a significant statement on Friday. She stated that any decision regarding her successor would be a collective decision taken by the party leadership.
Speaking to a TV channel, Mamata Banerjee dismissed notions of personal dominance, stating, "I am not the party; we are the party. It is a collective family, and decisions will be made collectively."
Remarks on Her Successor
When asked about her potential successor, Banerjee deflected the question with a counter-question, "Who is your successor?" She clarified that TMC is a disciplined party where no individual will dictate terms. She said, "The party will decide what is best for the people. We have legislators, MPs, and booth workers; it is a joint effort."
On the ongoing debate about prioritizing either the younger generation or experienced leaders, Banerjee maintained a balanced perspective, stating, "Everyone matters. Today's newcomer will be tomorrow's seasoned leader."
Internal Debate Within the Party
While TMC has not officially announced any succession plan, Banerjee's comments come amidst a debate between senior leaders loyal to Mamata Banerjee and next-generation leaders associated with Abhishek Banerjee.
Abhishek Banerjee is the TMC's national general secretary and Mamata Banerjee's nephew. Banerjee spoke candidly about political advisors' roles, subtly critiquing I-PAC, which has been serving as TMC’s political advisor since 2019.
Mamata Banerjee said, "Some strategists conduct surveys from the comfort of their homes and later alter them. They can organize things but can't bring voters. It is the booth workers who know the villages and the people who truly win elections. They are like artisans who work for money, but elections are not won by them."
