Cracks deepen in TMC after spokespersons Shanatanu Sen, Arup Chakraborty resignations
The Statesman | 29 May 2026
After the resignation of senior Trinamul Congress leaders like Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Indranil Sen, party spokespersons Shantanu Sen and Arup Chakraborty resigned, not only exposing the growing internal unrest after election defeat but further deepening the crisis within the party.
Former minister and Trinamul Congress leader Shantanu Sen has resigned from the post of the party’s national spokesperson, writing to former Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee that he was stepping down in keeping with the people’s verdict.
His resignation comes at a politically sensitive time for the party following its heavy defeat in the Assembly election.
Shantanu had earlier courted controversy after speaking out openly about alleged corruption in hospitals following the RG Kar incident involving the rape and murder of a doctor on duty.
At the time, he had been suspended from the party for anti-party remarks and was removed from the spokesperson’s role before later being reinstated.
Over the past few days, Shantanu had increasingly appeared at odds with the party line.
He had congratulated the newly elected BJP government and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on social media, a move that reportedly embarrassed the Trinamul leadership.
He also said he was willing to cooperate with the new government in any investigation related to the RG Kar case.
Not only Sen but another Trinamul spokesperson, Arup Chakraborty who has always been considered to be loyal to the party has resigned from both his civic responsibilities and later from the spokesperson’s post.
In an email addressed to Trinamul national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Arup cited personal reasons for stepping down, while thanking the leadership for placing trust in him and giving him responsibilities within the organisation.
Before resigning as spokesperson, Arup had already quit as a member of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s accounts committee.
Councillor Sushanta Ghosh also resigned as chairman of Borough 12. However, both leaders clarified that they would continue as councillors.
Speaking after his resignation from the civic post, Arup admitted that the election result was unacceptable for the party but said the people’s mandate had to be respected.
He also questioned the absence of senior leaders during difficult times for grassroots workers after the defeat.
Political observers believe that the resignations of Shantanu Sen and Arup Chakraborty have added to the perception of a widening crisis inside the party, as leaders increasingly distance themselves from the organisation after the electoral setback.
The developments have intensified speculation about factionalism and dissatisfaction within the Trinamul Congress, with several leaders openly blaming institutional corruption and disconnect with party workers for the electoral collapse.
Amid the turmoil, Trinamul MP Sougata Roy also faced public embarrassment in his Dum Dum constituency. Roy was allegedly surrounded by protesters outside Nimta police station after he visited the area to submit a memorandum over attacks on party workers following the elections.
Protesters reportedly raised slogans of “chor-chor” against the veteran MP and eggs were allegedly thrown at his convoy, with one hitting his vehicle.