Trinamool calls off the meeting as three-fourths of its MLAs do not turn up

TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh speaks to the media in Kolkata, West Bengal on May 31, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

A scheduled meeting of newly elected Trinamool Congress legislators was called off on Sunday (May 31, 2026) after nearly three-quarters of the party’s MLAs failed to turn up for the meeting.

The meeting was called by Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Sobhandeb Chatterjee and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to address the lawmakers. The Trinamool Congress has 80 MLAs in the newly elected assembly, but only 20 turned up to attend the meeting at Ms Banerjee’s residence.

Trinamool spokesperson and Beleghat MLA Kunal Ghosh attributed the low turnout to the attack on party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur on Saturday (May 30, 2026). “After the attack on Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur, MLAs are busy with various programmes. Besides, Trinamool leaders and activists are being attacked in various areas and arrested in false cases. Several MLAs have been receiving calls since yesterday (Saturday) evening that in such a situation it would be very good if the date of the meeting is changed,” he said.

Former Speaker Biman Banerjee, Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra, Palashipara MLA Rukbanur Rahman, Buzbuz MLA Ashok Deb, Panchla MLA Gulshan Mallick, Maltipur MLA Abdul Rahim Bakshi and Kumarganj Toraf Hossain Mandal MLA were present at Ms Banerjee’s residence.

After the Trinamool’s defeat in the Assembly elections, the biggest challenge for the party was to keep its flock together. Several MLAs have started blaming the party leadership for the loss and are reportedly warming up to the BJP. However, the BJP leadership has so far ruled out the possibility of inducting defectors.

As public anger against Trinamool Congress rank and file becomes evident and people attack party leaders at the local level, several MLAs are also trying to distance themselves from the party.

Even after the attack on Abhishek Banerjee, many legislators did not make it to the party leadership. Ms. Banerjee is likely to hit the streets to protest the attacks on Trinamool Congress supporters and it will be interesting to see how many of her party legislators participate in these demonstrations.

Published – 31 May 2026 19:56 IST