Political realignments continue to dominate West Bengal’s landscape, and amid the ongoing turbulence within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), party MP Mahua Moitra has drawn attention with her unexpected praise for Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. In an interview with the BBC, Moitra, widely regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee’s most loyal supporters, spoke warmly about Adhikari and described sharing an “emotional connection” with him despite their political differences.
Her comments have generated fresh discussion in political circles, particularly at a time when Mamata Banerjee is facing mounting challenges within her party. The TMC has been grappling with internal divisions, including a rebellion led by Ritabrata Banerjee and the departure of several MPs from its parliamentary ranks.
Moitra Recalls Adhikari’s Support
Speaking about her relationship with Adhikari, Moitra said they had shared a positive rapport during their time together in the TMC. She acknowledged the support he extended to her during crucial moments in her political journey.
Recalling the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Moitra said she had expected to receive a party ticket but was ultimately denied the opportunity. She described being deeply disappointed and said Adhikari was among those who comforted her during that period.
She also reflected on her first electoral campaign in the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections from Karimpur. According to Moitra, very few senior leaders came forward to campaign for her at the time, but Adhikari attended and addressed her first rally.
She noted that photographs from the event still exist, showing that the two of them were the main faces at the gathering. For Moitra, those memories remain significant despite the political paths they have since taken.
Political Differences, Personal Respect
Adhikari left the TMC in 2020 following disagreements with Mamata Banerjee and concerns over the growing influence of a younger leadership group within the party. He later joined the BJP and went on to play a key role in strengthening the party’s position in West Bengal.
Moitra acknowledged that they no longer communicate regularly because they now belong to rival political parties. However, she stressed that personal gratitude and respect can remain intact even when political affiliations change.
She said she could never forget the assistance and encouragement Adhikari had provided her during the early stages of her political career.
Comments Come Amid Internal Turmoil
Moitra’s remarks have attracted attention because they come at a difficult time for the TMC. Mamata Banerjee has been working to maintain unity within the party amid growing dissent from a section of legislators.
Although Moitra continues to hold an important position within the party and remains a member of its national working committee, speculation has intensified because of her unusually candid comments about a senior BJP leader and former TMC colleague.
The rebel faction within the party has reportedly challenged the existing leadership structure and approached the Election Commission with claims regarding the party’s name and symbol. Several senior leaders have also been linked to the dissident camp.
Moitra on TMC and BJP
During the interview, Moitra also spoke about broader political issues and reflected on the evolution of the TMC. In a remark that drew attention, she suggested that the departure of certain leaders from the party had effectively helped cleanse the organisation of individuals who did not contribute meaningfully.
She argued that the TMC’s weakness had often been its tendency to accommodate all leaders regardless of their political value or electoral strength. In her view, the party should have been more selective in evaluating whether individual leaders could command public support on their own.
Moitra also highlighted what she sees as the key differences between the BJP and the TMC. She described the BJP as a party with a strong organisational structure, a dedicated cadre base, and a clearly defined ideological framework. According to her, the BJP’s functioning is less dependent on any single individual.
No Plans for Congress Merger
Addressing speculation about a possible merger between the TMC and the Congress, Moitra dismissed such reports outright. While she acknowledged that the two parties share certain ideological similarities, she insisted that there were no plans for a merger and described the rumours as baseless.
Although there is no indication that Moitra intends to leave the TMC, her positive recollections of Suvendu Adhikari and her willingness to publicly acknowledge his past support have added a new dimension to ongoing political discussions in West Bengal. In an already volatile political environment, her comments have inevitably fuelled fresh speculation about shifting equations within the state’s political landscape.
