New Delhi:
Political history rarely repeats itself in exactly the same form, but it often leaves behind striking similarities. West Bengal’s political landscape is once again witnessing developments that remind many of the turbulent period that led to Mamata Banerjee’s dramatic split from the Congress and the birth of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the late 1990s.
Before founding the Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee had become increasingly isolated within the Congress organisation. By 1997, tensions between her and the party leadership had reached a breaking point. That year, she was expelled from the Congress, setting the stage for one of the most consequential political realignments in Bengal’s history.
The Congress Crisis That Led To Trinamool’s Birth
In August 1997, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) held a major session in Kolkata under the leadership of then Congress president Sitaram Kesri. Senior leaders including Pranab Mukherjee and Jitendra Prasada attended the gathering, while Somen Mitra headed the West Bengal Congress unit.
At the time, several Congress leaders attempted to prevent an organisational split and persuade Mamata Banerjee to remain within the party. However, Banerjee increasingly believed that the Congress high command was unwilling to support her aggressive anti-Left campaign in West Bengal.
Her frustration stemmed from the Congress party’s political dependence on Left support at the national level. According to Banerjee and her supporters, this dependence prevented the Congress leadership from directly confronting the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, which dominated Bengal politics during that era.
The ‘Watermelon Theory’ And Growing Frustration
One phrase became particularly popular among Mamata Banerjee’s supporters during that period — the “watermelon theory.”
The term was used to criticise sections of the Congress leadership who, according to Banerjee’s camp, appeared “green” on the outside, symbolising Congress politics, but were “red” on the inside, implying ideological sympathy toward the CPM.
The allegation was that while these leaders publicly criticised the Left, they were effectively helping sustain Left influence behind the scenes.
The Rally That Changed Bengal Politics
One event from that period is often remembered as a defining moment in Mamata Banerjee’s political journey.
During the Congress session in Kolkata, the party leadership organised an official indoor programme. Simultaneously, Mamata Banerjee held a separate public gathering outside the venue.
The outcome surprised many political observers. The outdoor rally drew a significantly larger crowd than the official Congress event. Workers and supporters quietly drifted away from the party’s formal programme and gathered around Banerjee instead.
The episode demonstrated that her popularity had grown beyond the organisational structure of the Congress and marked a turning point in Bengal politics.
Congress Splits Are Not New
The Congress has experienced multiple splits since Independence, giving rise to several powerful regional parties across India.
Political formations such as the Samajwadi Party founded by Mulayam Singh Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal led by Lalu Prasad Yadav emerged from similar processes of fragmentation.
West Bengal has also witnessed such developments before. The Bangla Congress once broke away from the Congress and formed a government under Ajoy Mukherjee. Former President Pranab Mukherjee too experimented with a separate political outfit before eventually returning to the Congress.
However, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress proved different from most breakaway parties. It not only survived but eventually defeated the Left Front, captured power in West Bengal and retained it through three consecutive terms.
Why Current Developments Matter
The significance of current developments lies in the fact that the Trinamool Congress itself is now facing questions about internal dissent and organisational cohesion.
Political observers are increasingly debating whether the party is entering a phase similar to the one Congress experienced in the 1990s.
At the centre of the discussion is a growing dissident camp led by leaders including Ritobrata Bandopadhyay and others who have openly questioned aspects of the party’s current organisational structure.
Unlike many political rebellions, however, this group is not directly challenging Mamata Banerjee’s personal leadership.
Several dissident leaders have repeatedly stated that they continue to respect Banerjee and acknowledge her role in building the Trinamool Congress. Their criticism is largely directed at the current power structure surrounding her, particularly the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee and consultant-driven political management within the party.
Search For A New Political Space
The dissident faction appears to be attempting something more ambitious than merely voicing dissatisfaction.
Its leaders are seeking to create a distinct political space within Bengal — one that positions itself as an alternative both to the BJP and to the existing Trinamool leadership structure.
This development is politically significant because Bengal’s opposition space has historically been difficult to occupy.
For years, the Trinamool Congress successfully prevented both the Congress and the Left Front from rebuilding a strong anti-government platform. However, growing internal discontent within the ruling party could potentially reopen that political vacuum.
At the same time, the BJP remains a major force in Bengal politics and continues to challenge the TMC aggressively. If voter dissatisfaction grows against both the BJP and sections of the current TMC leadership, a new political alternative could potentially emerge.
Could The Battle Become Bigger?
A key question now is whether the dissident group will eventually seek formal organisational recognition or continue operating as a pressure group within the party.
The debate is no longer confined to legislative disagreements. Observers note that dissident leaders are increasingly focusing on organisational control, ideological legitimacy and the future direction of the Trinamool Congress.
If tensions deepen, the conflict could evolve into a larger struggle over who represents the party’s original political legacy.
An Irony Bengal Cannot Ignore
There is an unmistakable irony in the current situation.
Mamata Banerjee rose to prominence by challenging a political leadership she believed had become disconnected from grassroots movements and public sentiment. Today, some voices within her own party are making similar accusations against the present organisational structure of the Trinamool Congress.
Whether this dissatisfaction ultimately results in a major split or whether Mamata Banerjee once again succeeds in preserving organisational unity remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that West Bengal politics has entered another phase of intense internal churn — one that could have significant implications not only for the Trinamool Congress but also for the state’s broader political future.