Kolkata, June 10 (IANS) Amid growing dissent within the Trinamool Congress, rebel MP Satabdi Roy on Wednesday launched a sharp critique of the party’s functioning, alleging that the leadership failed to address internal grievances, ignored discussions on electoral setbacks, and allowed corruption and overconfidence to weaken the organisation.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Roy said the increasing number of leaders distancing themselves from the party should not be viewed merely as individual acts of rebellion but as a sign of deeper organisational problems.
“So many people have left or revolted. One may say it is their personal agenda or their fault, but when such a large number of people become dissatisfied, the responsibility also lies with the party. The party should have taken care of its workers and leaders over the years. It cannot simply dismiss every departure as an individual issue,” she said.
Roy argued that one of the biggest shortcomings within the party was its reluctance to analyse defeats and learn from them.
“Even after electoral losses, there was no serious discussion about why we lost. If you do not discuss your defeats, how will you prepare to win in the future? Unless you identify the reasons behind a setback, there is little chance of correcting mistakes. Every organisation analyses failures. When the ratings of a television channel fall, people discuss the reasons and look for solutions. Political parties should do the same. If there is no introspection, others will continue moving ahead while you remain complacent,” she said.
Roy also expressed concern over allegations of corruption within the party and claimed that the issue had grown significantly over the years.
“I can say this to all leaders, MPs and MLAs. Nobody imagined corruption would reach this level. What we are hearing now is shocking. These issues must be addressed and stopped by the party,” Roy said.
She questioned whether the party leadership was unaware of what was happening on the ground.
“If the government and the party truly had no information, then that itself is a serious failure. When the Chief Minister is in power and the administration is functioning, how can such developments go unnoticed? And if the leadership knew about these issues but failed to act, then questions naturally arise about accountability,” she said.
Listing what she believed were the main reasons behind the party’s difficulties, Roy pointed to corruption, excessive confidence and the growing influence of political consultants.
“Corruption is one reason. Overconfidence is another. There was a belief that people would vote for us regardless of what happened. The third factor was the growing dominance of IPAC. The fourth was the neglect of long-time party workers and leaders who stood with Mamata Banerjee for 20, 25, or even 30 years. It is also wrong not to listen to experienced political workers,” she said.
Roy criticised the growing dependence on political consultants and data-driven decision-making, arguing that grassroots workers often possess a better understanding of local realities.
“It is not necessary that the same people get tickets every time. Change is important in politics, but there must be valid reasons behind those decisions. Ticket distribution and political strategy should be determined by the party after consulting local leaders. Decisions should not be driven solely by outside consultants,” she said.
She further claimed that many consultants lacked a deep understanding of Bengal’s political and social realities.
“They may be highly educated and skilled with data and computers, but politics is not only about statistics. People who have worked in an area for decades understand local sentiments, challenges, and aspirations. Their suggestions should have been given importance. Ignoring them was a mistake,” Roy added.
The rebel MP also felt that former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should have retained greater control over key political decisions.
“Mamata Banerjee is one of the most experienced politicians in the country. If you name a few of India’s most influential political leaders, her name will certainly be there. She should not have delegated everything to (nephew and party General Secretary) Abhishek Banerjee. Similarly, Abhishek should not have left everything to consultants. In the process, valuable time, trust and organisational strength were lost,” she said.
On recent developments involving party leaders, Roy said that when a party is going through a difficult phase, even small mistakes can have major consequences.
“When a party is under pressure, every decision comes under scrutiny. This is not the time for actions that could create further controversy. The opposition will naturally highlight every mistake, whether real or perceived. Therefore, greater caution is necessary,” she said.
Referring to reports of a large number of leaders expressing dissent, Roy said the party must seriously reflect on the reasons behind the growing unrest.
“If only a handful of people were unhappy, it could be dismissed as an isolated issue. But when dozens of leaders express dissatisfaction, the party must ask itself what went wrong. The focus should not be on the individuals alone but on understanding the causes behind the discontent,” she said.
On future political developments, Roy said no final decisions had been taken yet.
“I do not know what will happen in the future. Different groups are working separately at present, and discussions will continue. Nobody has made any final decision about the road ahead. I can only comment on the situation as it stands today,” she told IANS.
Roy also praised the functioning of the current BJP-led administration, saying that several promises had begun to translate into action.
“It is encouraging to see that work has started. During the elections, I had doubts about whether some promises would be implemented, but initiatives such as free bus services and the Annapurna scheme have already begun. Several decisions have been taken within a short period. If governments fail to deliver, they eventually face the consequences from voters. Every political party understands that. Therefore, I hope the administration continues to focus on governance and fulfilling its commitments,” she added.
–IANS
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