"I was with Mamata Banerjee, and I will always stand by her. Even in death, I would leave this world as a loyal supporter, never as a traitor," Trinamool MLA Madan Mitra had told India Today in June. Just a month later, however, Mitra, one of Mamata Banerjee’s oldest political associates, switched sides and joined the rebel Trinamool faction. While the three-decade-old party has witnessed rapid disintegration, Mitra’s departure is perhaps the biggest personal setback for Mamata amid the ongoing wave of defections and internal rebellion.
Even while announcing his decision, Mitra refrained from directly criticising Mamata, reflecting the long-standing bond they have shared since their days in the Youth Congress. "I resigned because I was no longer able to function effectively within Mamata Banerjee’s TMC," said Mitra, known for his flamboyant personality and quirky public remarks. Instead, he blamed Mamata’s nephew and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee for the turmoil within the Trinamool Congress.
The party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the Bengal Assembly elections, has been rocked by a succession of rebellions. Around 60 of its 80 MLAs first broke away under the leadership of Ritabrata Banerjee. This was followed by 20 Lok Sabha MPs merging with the relatively unknown Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and extending support to the BJP-led NDA.
For Mamata Banerjee, Mitra’s exit is likely to be especially painful, carrying emotional significance beyond its political impact.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MADAN MITRA
In politics, loyalty is often fleeting, but until recently, Mitra’s journey stood out as a rare example of unwavering commitment. While many recognise him today for his viral memes—including the popular Facebook page 'Madan Mitra at Unusual Places'—and his larger-than-life personality, he has long been closely associated with Mamata Banerjee’s political rise.
Before entering active politics, Mitra worked as a taxi driver and later became a trade union leader during the 1990s. Both he and Mamata began their political careers with the Indian Youth Congress. On July 21, 1993, when police opened fire on a Youth Congress protest led by Mamata, killing 13 people and seriously injuring her, Mitra stood firmly by her side. That incident marked the beginning of a political partnership that lasted for decades.
When Mamata left the Congress in 1998 to establish the Trinamool Congress, many of her associates hesitated, believing the Left Front remained too powerful in West Bengal. Mitra, however, did not waver and joined the newly formed party without hesitation.
As the Trinamool Congress expanded, Mitra emerged as one of Mamata’s closest and most trusted aides. His influence across various labour unions helped strengthen the party’s organisational network, making him one of Mamata’s key strategists during its formative years.
Whether it involved mobilising workers or managing election campaigns, Mitra remained a constant presence. Mamata also entrusted him with overseeing party finances and election logistics.
In 2000, Mitra was appointed the party’s general secretary and later served as the president of the Trinamool Youth Congress.
Following the Trinamool Congress’s historic victory in 2011, which ended the Left Front’s 34-year rule in West Bengal, Mitra was assigned the sports and transport ministries. Throughout his political career, he repeatedly reaffirmed his loyalty to Mamata.
"I can never think of leaving Didi," he had said before the 2021 Assembly elections, when several senior Trinamool leaders, including current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, crossed over to the BJP.
MAMATA’S SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES
Mitra’s political journey, however, has not been without controversy. In 2015, he was named an accused in the Saradha chit fund scam, following which he was stripped of his ministerial responsibilities and later arrested by the CBI.
Despite these setbacks, Mamata Banerjee continued to stand by him, and their political relationship endured several challenges over the years.
Mitra’s identity extends beyond politics. A search for his photographs rarely reveals an image without his signature colourful kurtas, sunglasses, and scarves. His spontaneous singing and dancing videos, along with his trademark catchphrase "Oh Lovely" during Facebook Live sessions, frequently went viral. In 2023, he even appeared in a film titled Oh! Lovely.
His flamboyant public image occasionally drew criticism from Mamata herself. Speaking at a public event in 2021, she remarked, "Madan is a colourful character. Sometimes he becomes a little too colourful, and that creates problems."
Their relationship endured both political victories and difficult phases, making Mitra’s departure all the more significant.
He remained by Mamata’s side through years in the opposition, her struggle against the Left Front, and the Trinamool Congress’s rise to power in 2011. Together, they helped build the party from the ground up.
Although Mitra joining the rebel camp may not substantially alter the political numbers, given that the faction already commands the support of more than 60 MLAs, the symbolic impact is considerable. The exit of one of Mamata Banerjee’s most steadfast loyalists could be viewed as a major blow to her faction. However, Mamata’s reputation as a resilient political leader suggests it would be premature to count her out.
