Mamata Banerjee will chair a key Trinamool Congress meeting in Kolkata to assess the party’s crushing West Bengal poll defeat, discuss Falta repoll strategy, and address allegations of counting irregularities and post-poll violence raised by Abhishek Banerjee.
A high-level organisational meeting of the Trinamool Congress will be held on Friday at the South Kolkata residence of party supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the party begins an internal assessment of its massive defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
The meeting, scheduled at Banerjee’s Kalighat residence, is expected to bring together candidates from all 294 Assembly constituencies, including both victorious and defeated nominees, along with several senior party leaders. The session is being viewed as one of the most crucial strategy discussions for the party following its worst electoral setback in recent years.
According to party leaders, discussions will focus on identifying the reasons behind the dramatic collapse in the Trinamool Congress vote share and seat tally, as well as planning the party’s future organisational roadmap in the state.
Election results declared on May 4 for 293 Assembly constituencies delivered a decisive mandate in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP secured victory in 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to only 80 seats, marking a significant reversal for the regional party that had dominated West Bengal politics for years.
The outcome has triggered widespread political debate across the state, with party insiders admitting that organisational weaknesses, voter dissatisfaction, and campaign-related challenges may have contributed to the defeat. However, senior Trinamool leaders have also alleged serious irregularities during the counting process and accused central forces of influencing the election outcome.
The Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district remains the only seat where polling results are still pending. Repolling for the entire constituency is scheduled for May 21, while counting of votes will take place on May 24. Party leaders are expected to finalise campaign strategies for the constituency during Friday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha member, intensified the political controversy surrounding the election by releasing a video statement and social media message late Thursday night.
In his statement, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the election results did not reflect the genuine mandate of the people and claimed that large-scale manipulation took place during the counting process. He specifically accused personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of assisting in what he described as “poll misappropriation” at several counting centres across the state.
According to him, Trinamool Congress counting agents and candidates were allegedly removed from multiple counting locations, allowing central government officials to take effective control of the counting procedures.
He also accused the Centre of failing to prevent incidents of post-poll violence in different parts of West Bengal. In his statement, he claimed that party workers, offices, and residences came under attack after the results were announced, while security personnel remained inactive.
Despite the electoral setback and allegations surrounding the polls, Abhishek Banerjee urged party workers not to lose confidence. He called upon Trinamool supporters to remain united and continue working among the people with determination and discipline.
Political observers believe Friday’s meeting could play a decisive role in shaping the future direction of the Trinamool Congress as it attempts to rebuild its organisation after the crushing electoral defeat. The party leadership is expected to focus on strengthening grassroots structures, reconnecting with voters, and preparing for upcoming political challenges, including the crucial repoll in Falta.
The BJP, meanwhile, has dismissed the allegations made by Trinamool leaders and described the election verdict as a clear reflection of public anger against the state government. BJP leaders have maintained that the people of West Bengal voted overwhelmingly for political change and rejected what they described as years of misgovernance and corruption.
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With tensions continuing over the election outcome and political rhetoric intensifying from both sides, West Bengal is likely to witness an increasingly heated political atmosphere in the coming weeks.
