‘Want to leave? Go ahead’: Mamata Banerjee tells All India Trinamool Congress leaders free to quit, urges others to rebuild party

Appearing to acknowledge the scale of the defeat suffered by the All India Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, former chief minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly urged party leaders to rebuild the organisation while making it clear that those wishing to leave are free to do so.

At a meeting with the party’s contesting candidates at her Kalighat residence on Friday, attended by TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee said the party would bounce back despite its crushing defeat in the 2026 Assembly polls.

The TMC lost power in West Bengal after three consecutive terms in office, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a sweeping victory.

According to PTI, Banerjee told party workers and leaders that those unwilling to stay with the organisation during the rebuilding phase could leave.

“Those who are leaving for other parties, let them go. I will rebuild the party afresh. To those who are staying, I say rebuild the damaged party offices, paint them and reopen them. If needed, I too will paint them. Trinamool Congress will never bow down. People’s mandate has been looted,” she reportedly said.

The Election Commission counted results for 293 of West Bengal’s 294 Assembly seats on May 4. The TMC won only 80 seats — a steep fall from the 215 it had secured in the previous election. Repolling in the Falta constituency is scheduled for May 21.

Mamata Banerjee herself lost from Bhabanipur, long regarded as her political stronghold.

The TMC had contested 291 seats, leaving three constituencies in the Darjeeling hills for ally Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha led by Anit Thapa. Of the party’s candidates, 211 were defeated, including several senior leaders and ministers.

Inside the Kalighat meeting

The meeting was convened amid reports of internal unrest and speculation over possible defections following the election setback.

Banerjee reportedly reiterated remarks she made shortly after the results were announced, acknowledging that some leaders may choose to switch sides.

“I know many will leave for other parties. They may have their own compulsions. I have nothing to say about that. Whoever wants to go may go. I do not believe in forcibly holding anyone back,” she had said at a press conference on May 5.

The TMC later shared photographs from the meeting on X, praising candidates for fighting the election despite what it described as “atrocities” and “intimidation” during the campaign.

“The Trinamool Congress stands united as one family. We will never bow before those who loot the people’s mandate. Truth will prevail,” the party said in its post.

Party insiders said Mamata Banerjee used the meeting to boost morale within the organisation and project unity at a time when the party faces one of the most difficult phases in its political journey.