TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Resigns From Party Posts

• Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned from all TMC organisational posts
• She accused party MP of misbehaviour towards a woman MP
• Letter raised concerns over corruption and alleged I-PAC influence
• TMC MP clarified she will remain in the party as a worker

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 27th May: Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has resigned from all organisational posts she held in the All India Trinamool Congress, citing concerns over alleged misconduct within the party, corruption allegations and growing dissatisfaction over the influence of political consultancy firm I-PAC.

In her resignation letter, Dastidar said there was “no point occupying a post” from where she could neither stop the alleged misbehaviour of a fellow party MP towards a woman MP nor receive support from senior leaders on the issue.

Dastidar, who had served as president of the party’s women’s wing among other responsibilities, also referred to allegations linked to the public distribution system, teacher recruitment irregularities, governance and financial issues, and the controversy surrounding the death of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar hospital.

She wrote that these incidents and allegations of a cover-up had “sparked dissatisfaction and mistrust among the people”.

“I too have felt the moral sting,” she said in the letter, while also expressing concern over allegations involving I-PAC, the political consultancy organisation associated with election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor.

According to a rough translation of the Bengali letter, she stated that if the democratic structure within the party had been overshadowed by “undemocratic, murky influence”, it would not be good for the ideals and legacy of the party.

Despite stepping down from party posts, Dastidar clarified that she would not leave the Trinamool Congress and would continue as an “ordinary worker” of the organisation.

The controversy surrounding I-PAC has intensified after the party’s defeat in the recent Assembly elections. Several senior leaders, including Dastidar and Kalyan Banerjee, have publicly criticised the organisation for alleged arrogance and disconnect from grassroots politics.

Critics within the party have alleged that I-PAC sidelined senior leaders, weakened grassroots cadres and restricted direct access to Mamata Banerjee.

The criticism has also reflected on Abhishek Banerjee, whose growing influence within the party has reportedly caused unease among several veteran leaders.

Reports have also suggested that more than 100 councillors have already left the Trinamool Congress following the BJP’s strong performance in the state. Speculation about further exits has intensified after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari recently invited TMC MPs and MLAs to attend government administrative meetings.

Sources said Dastidar had attended a recent administrative meeting in Kalyani focused on Nadia, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts