Communist Party of India (Marxist) Member of Parliament Mohammad Salim addresses a press conference at the CPI (M) party headquarters in Kolkata on February 20, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
“There is no lobby in the party to favor anyone,” Mohammad Salim, Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary from West Bengal, said on Friday (Feb 20, 2026), rejecting allegations of lobbying and favoritism leveled by estranged leader Pratik Ur Rahaman.
The top CPI(M) leader avoided direct questions on Mr. Rahaman even as political speculation is rife that he might join the ruling Trinamool Congress.
Mr Salim also targeted the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that neither party has “genuine” young leaders and that most of them are “stolen”, “rented” or “borrowed” from other parties. His remarks come days after Mr. Rahaman resigned from his post in the CPI(M) and publicly aired his differences with the state leadership.
The veteran CPI(M) leader further added that individual departures from the party cannot weaken the party. “CPI(M) is not so weak to quit because some people have resigned… We can only try to save people (referring to Mr Rahaman) when they are drowning, but we also have to stay alert so that you yourself don’t die trying to save someone,” Mr Salim added.
Mr. Salim further added that this is just the beginning and with time many people will switch sides between TMC and BJP before the elections. He also added that Mr. Rahaman’s brand value is growing as he challenges the CPI(M) and has helped him get into the limelight.
After his estrangement from the Left, Mr. Rahaman gave several interviews to local media houses and was vocal about his disagreements with the party, especially Mr. Salim. He also praised TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, sparking serious political speculation that he might soon join the ruling party.
“The way our CM Mamata Banerjee fought in the Supreme Court, no other CM has done that. They (CPI(M)) say it is all a trick. I ask why CPI(M) Kerala CM leader Pinarayi Vijayan or MA Baby didn’t do this trick? That would at least send a message to the public,” he told local Mr. Raha. He further also praised the Lakshmir Bhandar (Social Security Scheme for Women) started by the TMC.
He also questioned the CPI(M) leadership’s decision to meet suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir to discuss an alliance in the upcoming State Assembly elections in 2026. Mr. Rahaman also alleged that he was not allowed to ask questions within his own party and was not allowed to attend party meetings, both public and closed.
Mr. Rahaman was a West Bengal state committee member who resigned from his post in the party on February 15, citing disagreements with the party leadership and their views.
“I, Pratik Ur Rahaman, am a full-time employee of the party. At present, I am unable to identify myself with some of the ideologies and actions of the state and district committee of the party… I have therefore decided to resign from my post in the party,” Mr. Rahaman’s resignation letter read.
The estranged leader contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee from Diamond Harbor constituency.
Published – 21 Feb 2026 03:40 IST
