Voices of dissent emerge in Trinamool; leaders blame IPAC, ticket choices

In the wake of defeat in the 2026 Assembly election, voices of dissent has surfaced in the Trinamool Congress, with some leaders blaming political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee and the party’s functioning for the electoral setback.  

Trinamool’s outgoing Rajganj MLA Khageswar Roy blamed the IPAC for the party’s defeat. “We had to go according to the IPAC’s instructions. The IPAC played a major role in who got a ticket in the election. The party and the IPAC together caused this massive defeat,” Mr. Roy said. 

It must be noted that athlete Swapna Barman had replaced Mr. Roy as the Trinamool candidate from Rajganj for this election even though he had won in 2021. He said that Ms. Barman’s lack of political experience led to her loss from a seat where the Trinamool had won four times before the 2026 contest. He also claimed no local leaders were consulted by the party or the IPAC before changing candidates, which led to the loss. 

Former Trinamool MLA and district president Sourav Chakraborty expressed frustration regarding the party’s performance and internal strategy after the poll setback. 

“This is bad candidate selection. Everyone loves and trusts Didi [Trinamool chairperson Mamata Banerjee]. New people were brought in by the IPAC,” Mr. Chakraborty said. He also added that the party needs to rethink its strategy and relationship with the IPAC for some real change.

Another outgoing Trinamool MLA and Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary, quit the party soon after its loss alleging corruption within the ranks. “Paap baap keo chare na [Sins do not spare even the father],” Mr. Tiwary posted on social media.

“I faced multiple obstacles at every step while trying to do my work in the last five years… [Sports Minister] Aroop Biswas did not let me work; they brought me into politics to use me,” Mr. Tiwary said in a video message. He also alleged that he was coerced into joining the party and fighting the 2021 election as a Trinamool candidate.

Famous Bengali singer Kabir Suman, also a former Trinamool MP, told the local media that he was not a fan of the party and that he was coerced into contesting on their ticket.