Absence of TMC MLAs from protest triggers chatter amid party's post-poll churn

The absence of many TMC legislators from the party's first major protest programme on Wednesday after its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly polls 2026 triggered fresh political chatter, with the development coming a day after internal discussions reportedly centred on the need for the party to return to street politics.

Marking the party's first coordinated agitation after being pushed to the opposition benches following 15 years in power, a section of TMC MLAs staged a sit-in near the Ambedkar statue on the assembly premises against "post-poll violence" and hawker eviction drives.

Among those present were Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Nayana Banerjee, Kunal Ghosh and Ritabrata Banerjee.

Of the 80 MLAs, only 35 turned up at the programme, leading to speculation in political circles over possible fault lines within the organisation at a time when the party is struggling to regroup after its electoral setback.

Senior TMC MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay dismissed suggestions of internal discord and attributed the absence to logistical constraints and organisational responsibilities.

He said, "Around 35 MLAs were present at the programme today. As the legislators are busy with workers in many post-poll violence-affected areas, many couldn't come. And then the programme was held at a day's notice, so it was a problem for MLAs who stay in far-flung areas to turn up."

According to party sources, several legislators had argued that the TMC could not revive itself through strategy sessions alone and needed to reconnect with people through on-ground mobilisation.

Party sources said that at Tuesday's meeting attended by party supremo Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, some MLAs voiced concern over the party leadership's perceived absence from street agitation following the poll defeat.

Several legislators reportedly conveyed that "holding meetings inside closed rooms" would not help a party seeking to recover lost political ground.

The discussions at Kalighat had also reflected a larger concern within sections of the party over the leadership's post-poll political approach.

Against that backdrop, Wednesday's protest carried symbolism beyond the issue of post-poll violence and anti-encroachment drives.

For a party whose political identity was forged through agitations - from Singur and Nandigram to prolonged anti-Left street campaigns - returning to the streets has historically been central to its politics.

The TMC legislators organised a sit-in at the B R Ambedkar statue in the Assembly over eviction, use of bulldozers to demolish buildings, and alleged post-poll violence.

(With PTI inputs)