Estranged CPI(M) leader Pratikur Rahaman joins Trinamool Congress

Estranged leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Pratikur Rahaman on Saturday joined the Trinamool Congress. A prominent student leader, Mr. Rahaman, who was a member of the State committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), resigned from the party on February 15, citing differences with the party’s leadership and their views. 

“Today, in the presence of our Hon’ble National General Secretary Shri @abhishekaitc, Shri Pratikur Rahaman joined the Trinamool Congress family from CPI(M). He has been actively engaged in student politics, previously served as a member of CPI(M)’s West Bengal State Committee, and contested from Diamond Harbour in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” the Trinamool Congress said in a post on X.

The West Bengal ruling party extended a warm welcome to the former CPI(M) leader and said that the party is confident that, with faith in the “leadership of Smt. @MamataOfficialparty, he will contribute meaningfully to strengthening Bengal’s development journey”.

Speaking to the presspersons after handing over the party flag to Pratikur Rahaman, Abhishek Banerjee said that the party extends opportunity to the young people who want to participate in politics. Soon after Mr. Rahaman was seen with Mr. Banerjee, the CPI(M) expelled its State committee member. He had contested against Abhishek Banerjee in 2024 Lok Sabha polls and secured over 86,000 votes.

In his interaction with the media, Pratikur Rahaman said that he was being sidelined within the party and pointed fingers at CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim.

On Friday, the CPI(M) State Secretary said that he was personally aggrieved over the young CPI(M) leader choosing a different path. Noting that there was no lobbying within the party, Mr. Salim said that the CPI(M) had invested significantly in young leaders and provided them with a political platform.