Mamata Banerjee called a meeting of the party’s newly elected MLAs at her Kalighat residence, a day after TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was attacked by locals in South 24 Parganas. However, the meeting failed to take place after only around 20 legislators turned up out of nearly 80 invited members. The low attendance quickly sparked political discussion, though the TMC claimed that many MLAs were busy handling protests and unrest in their respective areas.
TMC says MLAs were busy with protests
The meeting was scheduled to be held at Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat on Sunday afternoon, 31st May. However, several MLAs did not attend after violence and protests broke out following the egg pelting on Abhishek Banerjee and the alleged assault on TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee a day later.
Unthinkable: Day after Abhishek Banerjee attacked, only 20 out of 80 TMC MLAs turn up for meeting called by Mamata Banerjee at her residence, reports @SreyashiDey. https://t.co/mBTCE92rPd
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 1, 2026
Speaking to reporters outside Mamata Banerjee’s residence, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed speculation over the poor attendance and said the situation on the ground had changed after Saturday’s incidents.
“The meeting had been fixed earlier, but after the attacks on our leaders, many MLAs got involved in protest programmes in their own areas,” Ghosh said.
He added that police action had also been taken against TMC workers in several places, and many legislators were busy helping detained party workers and coordinating local protests.
According to Ghosh, several MLAs informed the party leadership that they would not be able to attend the meeting and requested that it be postponed for the time being. “They told the legislative party about the situation and requested that the meeting be deferred. The party accepted the request as valid,” he said.
Even though around 20 MLAs had already reached the venue for the scheduled 3 pm meeting, the party eventually decided to cancel it and hold it later on another date.
Mamata to lead fresh protest programme
Despite the cancellation, party sources said Mamata Banerjee held informal discussions with some of the MLAs who were present at Kalighat.
The TMC also announced a fresh round of protests over what it described as “post-poll terror” by the BJP government in the state.
Kunal Ghosh said the party would organise protest rallies at block and ward levels across West Bengal on Monday. These demonstrations, he said, would be against the attacks on Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee and TMC workers.
The party has also planned a one-day symbolic sit-in protest on Tuesday at Rani Rashmoni Road in Esplanade, which will be led by Mamata Banerjee herself. Ghosh said the dharna would focus on post-poll violence and the eviction of hawkers through bulldozer action in different parts of the state.
“The next political programme of the party will be announced from the dharna venue on 2nd June,” he added.
