TMC’s minority cell secretary Ajmal Siddiqui resigns from the party, says the party is collapsing because of Abhishek Banerjee’s dictatorial attitude and leadership style

Ajmal Siddiqui, the State Secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Minority Cell, resigned from the party on Saturday, citing deep disillusionment with the party’s internal functioning, leadership style, and failure to deliver for the people of West Bengal. Siddiqui announced his decision shortly after returning from the Hajj pilgrimage just two days earlier.

In a formal letter addressed to “Respected Didi” (Mamata Banerjee), Ajmal Siddiqui tendered his immediate resignation from the post of State Secretary (Minority Cell), all other party positions, and the primary membership of the All India Trinamool Congress.

He stated that after considerable thought and reflection, he had reached the conclusion that he could no longer continue his association with the party due to deep dissatisfaction with its present organisational atmosphere and functioning. He said that over the past few years, dedicated and hardworking party workers had been increasingly sidelined and deprived of the respect they deserved, the democratic spirit had weakened considerably, and genuine concerns raised by grassroots members often remained unheard, leading to growing frustration.

He wrote, “Over the past few years, many dedicated and hardworking workers have increasingly felt ignored, sidelined, and deprived of the respect they deserve. The democratic spirit that once encouraged dialogue and collective decision-making appears to have weakened considerably. Genuine concerns raised by grassroots workers often remain unheard, resulting in growing frustration among committed party members.”

Siddiqui specifically criticised the leadership style of Abhishek Banerjee, noting that it had created an environment of concentrated authority, lack of meaningful consultation, and marginalisation of long-serving and loyal workers. He wrote, “I have particularly found it difficult to work under the leadership and functioning style adopted by Shri Abhishek Banerjee. In my experience, his approach towards party affairs and interactions with workers has created an environment where many long-serving and loyal members feel undervalued and marginalized. The concentration of authority and the lack of meaningful consultation with party workers have made it increasingly difficult for individuals like myself to effectively discharge our responsibilities.”

While talking to ANI, Ajmal Siddiqui described the TMC as a party that “brings nothing but disrepute,” accusing a majority of its members of being involved in “unsavoury activities” with scandals continuing to surface.

“Staying in this party felt very uncomfortable for us, and it wasn’t doing any real work for the people. It is a party in name only; you cannot accomplish anything meaningful within it. Only those who have risen through sycophancy thrive there,” Siddiqui said. He directly blamed TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee for the party’s current crisis, calling his attitude “dictatorial.”

“The party is collapsing today solely because of one man: Abhishek Banerjee. His dictatorial attitude and the oppression we faced, false cases filed against us 12 or 13 years ago, demands for money, were unbearable,” he added.

The resignation comes just three days after the TMC dissolved all its committees across the state, a move that has triggered speculation about internal restructuring amid mounting political pressure.

When asked whether he planned to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or seek any position there, Siddiqui replied: “We haven’t thought about that yet. Our only desire is to see development in Bengal—industries established and jobs provided to the poor.”

Siddiqui’s exit is the latest in a string of setbacks for the TMC, which is facing a massive rebellion as 60 out of 80 MLAs have opposed the party’s selection of leader of opposition, and are supporting expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee for the post.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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